Friday, February 20, 2009
How to learn Alpine or downhill ski
1. Check if this is for you: Find a snow resort nearby or fly there. Take a few beginners lessons ;-) It normally come with rentals and lift. Here is example
While you can rent ski, boots and poles (advice: skip poles when you start ) you will need a winter clothing.
Snow-boots, waterproof coat and pants. You need warm, not soggy socks ( wool or special synthetic). Do not double sock. You should dress in layers: start with "long johns" ( pijamas) or use excellent Underarmor wear. Put few more layers on it if needed or just coat and pants if weather is too warm ( around freezing). Use wool or synthetic, not cotton. Say NO to Blue jeans :-) It will turn to ice. The reason you want to avoid cotton it will keep moisture. You do not want that, you want fabric remove it from you :-) Most high-tech fabrics do that. They will not smell nice after that :-) But they will do their job to keep your comfortable :-) Then just put it all trough a laundry machine as usual.
Goggles : get it. Snow will blind you. Hat or helmet is also nice to have to keep you warm.
If you will be comfortable, warm and dry you will have more fun.
Now, get gear, take lessons :-)
Hooked?
Now ...
2. Read books
These two are considered absolute BEST. Do not fall for hype books that you may spot. Start with these two:
3. Watch some videos:
Here is a nice linked session :
4. Watch some more :-)
5. Get your own gear.
I do not mean 20 years old give away free skis and boots. :-) As cool and great as it may be... chances are you will not have much fun compare to even used gear from a few years ago. If you got a long straight ski ... well... ;-)
Get modern staff. Period. ;-)
New or used. I like to "Play it Again" :-) but end of season ( FEBRUARY) sales are great too !
Most important: you should REALY get what you like. Boots should fit. Ski should fit and be type you need.
Bindings have to be PROPERLY set and tested by shop. Pay this 10-20$!
You may get away without poles initially and this is a good way to start.
6. Do you need a Helmet ? Read here
Other reason you may want to get helmet anyway is
a) show example to your kids
b) film your rides with this ABSOLUTLY BEST gadget that works great with ski helmet:
See what people do with it:
What is SUPER about this little and cheap gadget is that it is has many mounts and can be used under water, on snow and in the air and operated in glove. Most important it is 170 degree: WIDE! It is like you see what you saw or even more. SUPER COOL!
Also, they joke that if you ski... you probably have 20 years left to go :-) People do ski in their 90's :-)
7. Now do it ! Have fun! See you in the mountains!
While you can rent ski, boots and poles (advice: skip poles when you start ) you will need a winter clothing.
Snow-boots, waterproof coat and pants. You need warm, not soggy socks ( wool or special synthetic). Do not double sock. You should dress in layers: start with "long johns" ( pijamas) or use excellent Underarmor wear. Put few more layers on it if needed or just coat and pants if weather is too warm ( around freezing). Use wool or synthetic, not cotton. Say NO to Blue jeans :-) It will turn to ice. The reason you want to avoid cotton it will keep moisture. You do not want that, you want fabric remove it from you :-) Most high-tech fabrics do that. They will not smell nice after that :-) But they will do their job to keep your comfortable :-) Then just put it all trough a laundry machine as usual.
Goggles : get it. Snow will blind you. Hat or helmet is also nice to have to keep you warm.
If you will be comfortable, warm and dry you will have more fun.
Now, get gear, take lessons :-)
Hooked?
Now ...
2. Read books
These two are considered absolute BEST. Do not fall for hype books that you may spot. Start with these two:
3. Watch some videos:
Here is a nice linked session :
4. Watch some more :-)
5. Get your own gear.
I do not mean 20 years old give away free skis and boots. :-) As cool and great as it may be... chances are you will not have much fun compare to even used gear from a few years ago. If you got a long straight ski ... well... ;-)
Get modern staff. Period. ;-)
New or used. I like to "Play it Again" :-) but end of season ( FEBRUARY) sales are great too !
Most important: you should REALY get what you like. Boots should fit. Ski should fit and be type you need.
Bindings have to be PROPERLY set and tested by shop. Pay this 10-20$!
You may get away without poles initially and this is a good way to start.
6. Do you need a Helmet ? Read here
Other reason you may want to get helmet anyway is
a) show example to your kids
b) film your rides with this ABSOLUTLY BEST gadget that works great with ski helmet:
See what people do with it:
What is SUPER about this little and cheap gadget is that it is has many mounts and can be used under water, on snow and in the air and operated in glove. Most important it is 170 degree: WIDE! It is like you see what you saw or even more. SUPER COOL!
Also, they joke that if you ski... you probably have 20 years left to go :-) People do ski in their 90's :-)
7. Now do it ! Have fun! See you in the mountains!
Labels: Alpine ski lessons
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