To enjoy your holidays in winter sports resorts, you can learn to ski by taking ski lessons. Our tips for making the right choices according to your expectations.
Which resorts to choose for beginners?
Most of the major winter sports resorts in Savoie have areas dedicated to learning downhill skiing. In smaller family resorts like Grand-Bornand, the easiest slopes, marked with green signs, are used by beginners. In larger resorts, gently sloping areas are dedicated to learning to ski.
You can then book a stay that is located near the learning area to make your daily commute with equipment easier. If possible, you should also prefer periods outside of school holidays. The slopes are much less crowded, which is pleasant for starting with confidence.
Can you learn to ski as an adult?
There is no age limit for taking alpine ski lessons. It is increasingly common to see adults wanting to learn, with one third of beginners today being adults. To maximize your chances of success, you need to be motivated, have good physical condition, and plan some physical preparation before departure. Simple fitness exercises will help you avoid soreness later on.
To learn to ski, a week of lessons is generally necessary, but you can reduce this period to 3 mornings to test if this sport suits you. For children, learning to ski is often a fun activity offered in groups of similar ages.
Can you learn to ski alone?
It is tempting to watch videos online and read tips on how to ski. However, this apparent ease may lead you to develop bad habits or even injure yourself. If a friend wants to teach you to ski, it comes from a good place, but despite their good intentions, they do not have the teaching skills of an instructor. That’s why we recommend hiring a professional during your first week of winter sports.
Private or group lessons?
For adults, private lessons have advantages because the ski instructor can adapt to the level and physical condition of their student more easily than in a class with several people. For younger learners, group lessons are more economical and work well for rapid progress.
If you come in a group, a private lesson for a few friends or family guarantees learning while having fun. The duration of learning ranges from 3 days to a week. On average, after three days, a beginner skier is capable of making turns on a blue slope. For more difficult slopes, it is necessary to consolidate your skills with a few additional lessons.
What equipment to learn to ski?
The first piece of advice is to rent your equipment: skis, boots, poles, and helmet. First, to be able to ski with recent and good quality equipment, and secondly, because purchasing it corresponds to a significant budget. It is preferable to rent during your lessons, in case you find that downhill skiing does not interest you later on. Conversely, if you become a passionate skier, you can then choose equipment that matches your level and type of skiing: backcountry skiing, snowboarding, downhill.
In terms of clothing, you should prioritize the onion technique, which means layering several layers to adapt to temperature changes. The right outfit consists of thermal underwear and good socks, over which you wear pants, a jacket, a hat, and gloves.
While wearing a helmet is not mandatory for adults, it is highly recommended to ensure maximum head protection in case of impact. Most ski resorts offer packages that include a certain number of lessons taught by an alpine ski instructor and equipment rental. This package deal allows for savings.
Good tips for starting skiing
By applying these common-sense tips, you will maximize your chances of successfully learning to ski:
Choose a flat area to start
By practicing on a “baby” slope or a flat area at the bottom of the slopes, you will have plenty of time to understand your equipment and the first notions of balance.
Do not put on your ski boots
Indeed, these boots can be uncomfortable for walking to the slope. It is better to approach the slope wearing snow boots.
No poles at the beginning
To perfect your balance, it is better to focus on your skis. The poles will be useful in the second phase of training.
Put on one ski at a time
After getting used to the boots, you put on one ski and glide in balance on one leg, then alternate with the other.
Make skating steps
As if you were on an ice rink or rollerblading, you push the snow to one side and then the other without using your poles. This technique allows you to move on flat ground and even climb a slope. If it is too steep, you should position your skis perpendicular to the slope and climb one foot after the other.
Beginner’s braking
This is the well-known snowplow technique, which involves positioning your skis in a wedge shape while keeping the front of the skis in contact.
Knowing how to get up
Essential, you need to sit back on your heels, grab one knee with one hand, place the other on the ground, and push up and forward to get up.
The first turns
Still without poles, you choose a “baby” or green slope and extend your arms like an airplane, position your skis in a snowplow, and press on the outside foot while turning your torso in the direction you want to go.
All of these tips will be useful, but they do not replace practice with a ski instructor from the various schools in your resort: ESF, ESI, Oxygène, or UCPA.
