HOW TO CHOOSE SKI’S AND BOOTS
Your skiing experience will be better if you hire skis and boots instead of borrowing a friend's old pair of dated skis or boots. Even if you have a pair of old skis or boots, learning to ski on a modern pair of skis is not only safer than skiing on old skis, but, it will help you progress faster.

BOOTS
Before you hire or buy ski boots, it's important to make sure that the boots fit properly. The most important rule for buying that first pair of boots is go to a reputable ski shop, preferably a specialty store with experienced salespeople who are themselves skiers. Better yet, search out a store with boot certified sales and service personnel. Then, have a trained boot fitter adjust your boots for you. Try your boots on with the socks that you will be wearing skiing. The boot should feel snug on your foot. Make sure that the boots are comfortable. There's nothing worse than skiing all day in boots that make your feet sore. You may have to try on several pairs to find a boot that fits correctly.

Entry Point
Ski boots will either be top entry or rear entry. With rear entry, you slip your foot into the boot from the back. With top entry, insert your foot from the top.

Tighten the Clips
Once your feet are in the boots, you can latch the clips to tighten the boot. Rear entry boots typically have one clip, while top entry boots have as many as four clips you can use to adjust the fit of the ski boot.

Tighten the Power Strap
Most ski boots have a velcro strap called a power strap, across the top of the boot. Pull it tight to adjust the fit of your boots, so they are tight on your calves and shins.

Once Your Boots are Buckled
Once you've tightened the clips and the strap, make sure that you're comfortable. You don't want the boots to be too tight (and cut off your circulation) or too loose, which will impede your skiing. Be sure that you have room to move your toes. When you bend your knees, make sure that your heel stays put and your foot doesn't move up. If your foot is sliding in the boot, re-buckle it so it's tighter.

SKIS
When life was simple and skiers wore stretch pants or jeans to ski in, we only had to choose between three basic types of skis, all based on racing. However, now that we are enjoying the engineering marvels of the shaped ski, the focus of ski design has become more complex.

When it comes to actually looking at skis, reading ski publications or walking through a ski show can be overwhelming. For example, Ski and Skiing magazines test at least 300 models, while Ski Press may test 500 different ski models in a year. You could ski every day for almost a year and a half and never use the same skis twice!

The buzz word for a while has been the "One Ski Quiver" – the one ski for all conditions, a.k.a. the All Mountain Ski. This almost works. Almost, but not quite, because there has to be compromises across the broad spectrum of conditions from pure powder to hard packed-ice.

Powder Skis
Fat and either inny or outy waists is the 2007 trend in powder skis. Powder skis don’t have a lot of the differing flexing construction built into skis of graduating abilities for other conditions.

Groomed Powder
Groomed powder is where every major ski manufacturer shines – and it is the major scope of their sales.

Packed Powder
In deference to the groomers who work while you sleep, or party, I will also call this corduroy - sometimes. This can be the easiest stuff to ski on, but, if is done too early at night and the temp drops after grooming you could call it frostbite. In this snow, you like to have sharp edges and a ski that won’t chatter away or run wide through the turns.

How to Choose the Right Ski

So, is finding the right ski easy? Not as easy as it was when we walked up to a ski sales clerk and said we wanted a Giant Slalom, Slalom, or Downhill ski then raised our arm so he could find the right length.

Finding skis is certainly do-able though, as long as you stay focused on your search.

Reading ski reviews is helpful. I believe the major ski publications approach testing seriously. Ski Press uses a percent of recreational skiers chosen at random to test skis, while the others use pros only. The pros are almost all certified instructors so they know their business.

Narrow the playing field to the field you're playing on. Don't grab that great deal on super fat powder skis if you only intend to ski the on-piste runs. Focus, instead, on skis engineered to that snow.

Talk to your favorite ski shop. Ski shops are in business to stay in business and 99% of them have qualified people who know local conditions. Bring your ski test wish list, but, listen to their advice. They usually have good advice on what you will need.

Most top name brands will have a ski for you. If you look at the models available from the top 10 or 15 ski manufacturers, you are almost guaranteed to find a ski to meet the snow conditions where you typically ski, your type of skiing, and your ability in each brand.

Demo- Try before you buy. This is important, because you know when a ski is good for you when you ski on it, not before. When you're trying the skis and you think the skis can read your mind, you'll know that you have found your skis.

You can almost always have the cost of hiring demo skis deducted from the price of the skis if you purchase them. Check websites and bulletin boards for free demo days at resorts near you. They are usually crowded but you typically get to talk to ski manufacturer's reps. It's definitely worth trying demo skis - after all, skis are an investment, and you should spend your money on skis that are a pleasure to ski on.

HOW TO SKI – First Time Tips

Dress appropriately- Try to find things in your closet before you go out and purchase expensive clothes.

A minimum set of clothing would probably be this:

• Boots & socks
• Waterproof trousers/pants
• Inner vest
• Fleece or Jumper/Sweater
• Jacket, it should be waterproof minimum.
• Waterproof Gloves..
• Goggles (if it's foggy or windy) and sunglasses (if it's sunny)
• Beanie / Woolly hat
• Scarf or other item to cover your neck if it's windy
• Sunscreen and lip balm

Professional Lessons- nothing beats first hand help by the experts.Even if your friends ski and want to teach you, investing in a ski lesson is necessary. You'll get started off with a good basis of ski knowledge, and with continued lessons, you'll be a great skier before you know it. Make sure to specify that you are a beginner skier with no (or little) experience on the slopes.

HOW TO SKI – in 5 Steps

The Snow Plow is the fundamental key in learning to ski!

1. Get Ready to Snow Plow -The traditional learning stance for beginner skiers is called the snow plow position. The basic position requires that you stand in the skis facing across a gentle sloped hill with your knees slightly bent, with your hands just above your thighs and with the tips of the skis closer together than the tails of the skis, making a forward facing V position.
   On a small hill, stand without pressing the skis into the snow. Slowly let gravity turn you towards the bottom of the hill. The slight slope of the hill and the natural angle of the skis when in the snow plow position, will keep you from going too fast.
2. Learn to stop while snow plowing - The best confidence builder for a new skier is being able to stop your downhill movement. So, as you are moving, bend both your knees a little more, putting more of your weight forward. As you increase the pressure on the skis with both feet, you will feel yourself slowing your downhill travel and beginning to stop. Then slowly ease backwards. With this forward pressure you will again move downhill.
3. Learning the snow plow turn - Learning to turn is as important as stopping because it will (A) put you in control of your direction down the hill and (B) let you steer around other people and pick a path down the hill. To turn to the left, slightly drop your right shoulder toward the tip of your right ski, while increasing the pressure of your right boot on your right ski. Hold that position as you are moving down the hill and your skis will gently turn to the left.
   To turn to the right, gently drop the left shoulder toward the tip of the left ski, increasing the pressure on the left ski and your skis will round out a turn to the right.
   To stop while turning, you can press forward with both feet equalizing the pressure, or continue in your turn until your skis are across the hill. When your skis are not pointing down the hill you will naturally come to a stop.
4. Snow plow turn - holding poles Holding your poles in front of your body is a snow plow variation that aids in understanding the mechanics of turning. Start by holding the poles in a parallel position. Raising the poles in the opposite direction from where you want to turn will head you into the turn. Raise your left hand to turn to the right. Raise your right hand to turn to the left.
5. Practice turns and stops Spend time stopping, and turning, from the snow plow position until it becomes easy, and until you are comfortable enough to increase the length and grade of the slope where are you skiing. You can also learn these steps, or practice them without using any ski poles. However, I like to see people use poles because it gets them used to holding the poles while moving and aids balancing while moving. Practice and enjoy the day!

HOW TO GET ON AND OFF A CHAIRLIFT

ON- Before you get on the chairlift, make sure that you have all your equipment - poles, gloves, goggles, and hat. Make sure you lift ticket is visible.

Wait in the loading area, until it's your turn to board the chairlift. Hold both poles in one hand. Watch over your shoulder for the next chairlift to come. Sit on the chairlift just like you were sitting in a chair, use your free hand, if necessary, for balance and to hold on.

Keep your ski tips pointed up as the chairlift moves up.

OFF-Make sure you are holding your poles, and any other loose items, securely. Make sure that your safety bar is raised. As you are approaching the unloading station, raise your ski tips slightly so you can glide off the lift and move out of the way of the next people.

Rope tows are often used on beginner slopes. When you use a rope tow, you will be pulled up the slope by your arms while standing on your skis. You will stand in a line, and when it is your turn, grab the rope when the person in front is at least 10 metres up the hill. Lean back slightly as you grab the rope. Hold on to the rope, and let it pull you up the hill.

T-Bars have a plastic “T” section attached to the end of a rope that you put between your legs (or behind your bum if you are sharing the T Bar). Lean back slightly, bend your legs, look up the hill and sit on the “T” as it pulls you up.

ADVANCING TURNS

Prepare to turn - Once you have developed confidence in being able to go into the snow plow position, it is time to move into more smoother turns.

This can be done by pointing in the direction you wish to turn. To begin this exercise, start on a gentle, easy slope where you can comfortably slow your speed by using the snow plow position.

With skis flat on the snow and in a natural shoulder-width, hold your poles so that they are down but still in your line of vision, and let gravity start you down the hill.

Turn to the right - The first turn will be to your right. As you come down, raise and extend your right arm to about the 2 o’clock position.

Make this a extension in one smooth movement, and as you complete the extension let your head and your line of vision follow your hand.

Your head should move toward the tip of your right ski - just enough so that your head is more over the right ski, not both skis.

Turn to the left-While you hold this position, your skis will follow your "point" and will turn to the right - this is because of their shape. With your direction moving to the right, bring your right arm back to a comfortable straight stance. You can go into the snow plow to stop, or you can continue a right turn across the hill to let the hill slow and stop your descent.

To initiate a turn to the left by pointing, start down the hill again with your skis shoulder-width apart and flat on the snow. Raise and extend the left arm again, and let your head follow your hand until your head is over the left ski and slightly forward toward the tip.

Linking turns - After a little practice turning each way, it’s time to link your turns in a smooth controlled glide down the hill. When you have made a left "pointed" turn and you are still heading in that direction (which will be at a 10 o'clock position) bring your arm and hand back to the natural stance with your head back over center.

Now, initiate a right pointing turn. This time, you pass from 10 o’clock through 12 o’clock and toward a 2 o’clock direction. Remember – if at anytime you feel as if you are going too fast, you can go into the snow plow or stay in your direction change until you point into the hill and slow down.

Practice these "pointer" turns, and as you link them back and forth down the hill you will feel the beginning of the natural rhythm of skiing. As you get the feel of this and develop confidence, you will be able to do this at a gradually increased speed, and soon your skiing will improve!

TIPS FOR MOGUL SKIING

Start Small - When you are just starting to try to ski well in moguls, start on small bumps in not too steep terrain. Moguls on Black Diamond trails can be both intimidating and dangerous to beginning mogul skiers. Many ski resorts have begun to set aside small "chutes" of seeded (man-made) moguls on Blue Square slopes just for practicing. Seeding just the sides of steeper trails, so skiers can practice and still be able to ski out of the bumps in case of a misstep, has also become popular.

Use the Mogul - Don't always try to zip through the troughs or go around the bumps, especially early on in mogul skiing.

When you ski up onto a bump or ridge use the top, when your tips and tails are not touching snow, to change direction or initiate an edging down the front side for speed control.

Look Ahead - Don't get into the habit of looking down at the mogul immediately in front of you. When your head is down, you are already out of balance and moguls come at you much to fast to not look ahead and pick a route or line. Even if you have to change your line, keep looking down the hill, and remember you don't drive a car by looking at the hood.

Absorb the Bumps with Your Legs - When you ride over a bump, use your legs like a shock absorber. Rising on the mogul, flex your ankles and knees to keep from being launched off the mogul. Then extend into a tall stance on the back side, and use the extension to turn or check edges as you ride into the trough.

Keep Your Poles In Front - Get in the habit of keeping your poles within your vision and moving with your turns. This aids balance and rhythm, and keeps you from falling into the backseat (the backseat is when your body mass is no longer centered over your boots, but falls back behind your boots and bindings).

Side Slip for Control - Speed control is the most important factor in mogul skiing and side slips and hockey stops come in quite handy in the beginning. They can evolve later into a nice flat ski and edge feathering technique.

Help Your Head - If you have a helmet, wear it in the moguls and keep your speed to your comfort level. All those great mogul skiers you see on the slopes have one thing in common - they all try to stay in their comfort zone.