Before we get you out on the hill, let’s get you all geared up and ready to go. Check out these tips on how to prepare for a day on the slopes and what to expect when you hit the powder.
What should I wear?
When it comes to winter sports its all about the layers. Throw on some long underwear, a t-shirt, and a cozy sweatshirt. Next, dig up a pair of snow pants, a waterproof jacket, thick socks, a hat, some waterproof mittens, and if you want to look extra cool, grab some ski goggles. Wait! You don’t need to put these things on just yet. Stay in your warm under layers until you’ve rented your boots and are ready to head outside to grab your skis and poles (you don’t want to get too toasty in all your gear before heading outside).
Once you’ve got your proper gear and equipment, lock your boots into your ski’s and get familiar with the boards that are now attached to your feet. Trust me, it won’t take too long to get used to them! Before you rush (or should I say slide) toward the chairlift, stop and introduce yourself to the bunny hill, the perfect place to practice your snowplow stop (one of the most important things a beginner should learn)!
How to get started
The snowplow, also known as the pizza stop, is a motion you can do with your skis to slow down and eventually stop. The move is simple but takes a little practice. To master this move, start on the bunny hill with your skis parallel with your body, you can call this position the “French fry” if you’d like. Slightly bend your knees and begin down the hill, and once you get going, try to point your two skis toward each other creating a triangle (or a pizza slice). You should begin to slow down and find you can easily control your stop. Now don’t forget, this takes practice, so keep a positive attitude even if it takes a while to get the motions down.
Once you’ve reached the bottom of the bunny hill, you’ll notice the “magic carpet.” This is the ski lift used for smaller hills, and it’s your transportation back up the bunny hill. To get up the hill you will need to approach the magic carpet and slide onto the belt at the base of the hill while standing with your skis or snowboard facing forward. The moving belt will slowly pull you uphill. At the top, the belt will push you onto the snow and you’ll slide away, leaving you ready for another trip down the hill!
Once you’ve conquered the bunny hill, it is important to know the types of trails you should try next. Every hill is labeled with a color. Green is easiest and for beginners, blue is intermediate, and black is advanced. If you are a first-timer it would be best to start with green and work your way up! If you are ready to move from the bunny hill to another green or blue hill you may need to ride the chairlift. Don’t be afraid, we can help you every step of the way!
Boarding the chairlift can be intimidating at first, but it is easy to get the hang of. To prepare to board the chairlift you’ll want to get ready to slide out right after the person in front of you boards the lift. Once you are in place, pretend like you are sitting in a chair and reach out behind you to grab the side of the chair, feel the chair on your bottom, and you’re on!
One more thing…
Now that you’ve got all the tips and tricks and know what to expect, you’re ready to go! Wait! There’s one more thing, HAVE FUN!
