| Now that you've taken the big step, booked your ski | | | | each other and spreading your heels apart - much like |
| vacation and reserved your spot in the beginners | | | | a slice of cake. NB - but whatever you do, DON'T let |
| skiing class (as discussed in Part 1 of the series), its | | | | the tips of your skis cross each other - it's a surefire |
| time to take a look what you've actually let yourself | | | | way of ensuring a wet and uncomfortable |
| in for.So what exactly will your first skiing lesson try | | | | tumble.Another important skill is learning balance. And |
| to teach you?Tip # 2 - Learning ControlThe most | | | | the best time to practice is while you're still on flat |
| critical skill in learning to snow ski is that of control. | | | | ground! The trick is to practice balancing on one ski |
| Remember, you're adding a hefty amount of extra | | | | at a time. Lift one ski a couple of centimeters off the |
| length to your feet - being able to control your feet | | | | snow and shift all your weight to the other leg. |
| and moving on them will keep your behind dry and | | | | Observe how your body adjusts to maintain your |
| your pride intact.Rather start out with shorter skis | | | | balance on just one foot - and remember, your |
| than longer ones. Although there are disadvantages | | | | ski-poles are there to help you. Now try skiing on just |
| such as less glide in using shorter skis, this gives you | | | | one leg to get used to being in balance, whether |
| the opportunity to get the basics right and then | | | | you're on two feet or only one. You won't go haring |
| upgrade your ski length as your skill improves. Once | | | | down the mountain on one foot though - this is just |
| you have the skis on, use your poles as a balancing | | | | an exercise to get you used to your own sense of |
| device while moving your weight from side to side on | | | | weight distribution and balance. It is advisable to be |
| your skis. This side to side motion is what will | | | | comfortable skiing on one leg (practice doing this on |
| eventually guide you down the mountain slope at a | | | | both) before you become proficient in skiing on |
| speed that you feel comfortable at. The shortest | | | | two.Now that you've put on your skies, practiced |
| route to the bottom of the slope is straight down - | | | | shifting your weight from side to side, found your |
| but this is neither advisable at beginner level, nor | | | | balance on your skis and learned how to stop your |
| necessarily the best way to get to the bottom! So | | | | forward momentum, you're almost ready to face |
| make sure you're comfortable with shifting your | | | | your first down hill ski. But first, you'll have to master |
| weight from one foot to the other while on the | | | | one more critical skill that everyone needs to learn ... |
| skis.Probably the most important skill to learn control | | | | how to get up when you fall.Yolande runs the |
| of is how to STOP without doing yourself some | | | | website that provides infomation on skiing for the |
| major injury. The easiest and best way to slow your | | | | beginner to the advance skier. |
| momentum is to point the toes of your skis towards | | | | |