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Teach skiing / snowboarding before you get to the mountain

Advice for the new skier or rider and the person taking him or her, whether young or old.

For the newbie"the first, fifth or fifteenth visit can be daunting. For kids it is usually an adventure. For adults it can be the scariest thing ever attempted. Regardless of age, a lack of experience and confidence can only be accelerated and helped through practice, both physical and mental. 

For the person or group you will be with, well, if you are ready then they might - might - have a little more patience. Anyone that has experience has something to offer, and while he or she may not be the best instructor on the slopes, simple advice before getting there will help.

When planning a trip to the slopes do yourself and your companion a favor - practice before you get there. 
  • Putting on, adjusting and taking off boots 
    • Skier 
      • Know that your boots fit well, both around each foot and within the bindings
      • Keep them on, allow them to warm up and figure out the right buckle positions for comfortable closure
    • Rider/boarder
      • Even more so for this group, since you will be doing it a lot!
      • Boots probably need adjusting only once or twice throughout the day
      • Binding may need to be adjusted each time, depending upon the type
  • Poles (for skiers only)
    • For the new skier a pole can be a hindrance  but that differs and varies depending on several factors (powder or ice, uphill climbs to the lift, etc.)
    • Very helpful when exiting a binding, for many truly essential
  • Entering / exiting bindings (for skiers)
    • Should you fall and lose a ski or two you want to be confident when getting ready to slide down the hill once again. Even a slight incline can cause difficulty
    • If you are new to poles, knowing how to use one to get out of the bindings will be important (certainly if you need to get into the lodge quick).
    • Also consider walking around with your boots in the bindings to get a feel for that jaunt to and through the lift-line 
  • Position / stance / style (for both groups)
    • This is one thing that is very easy to practice and well worth the effort
    • Position (a jumping-off point for starting a run)
      • Knees bent, head over toes and leaning slightly forward (or down the trail)
      • When on a snowboard it can be very easy to practice balance while visualizing (try doing so between to couches, sawhorses, friends so that you get a feel for how far you can lean before beginning to fall

      • Stance (can be as much mental as it is physical)
        • To me, position is a starting point or something comfortable, while stance is more about composure (the ways in which you will return or re-position)
        • Stance involves a level of aggression (a forceful pursuit of aim & interest)
          • On a scale of 1 - 10 a new skier should be a 1 and a professional racer a 10. 
          • The person skiing at a 5 or under might be looking at the trees as he turns. A person skiing in the 6 - 10 range is always, always pointing the upper torso down the mountain and looking where they want to go while considering how fast she can get there. Yes, even when turning, that upper torso should be pointing straight down the trail - an aggressive stance.
      • Style (not your clothing)
        • Consider pizza-pie and small turns on busy trails. When you have plenty of room take those long arcs and enjoy
        • Developed over time but heavily influenced by first experiences (true of many things), one's style is an extension of personality
        • Think of this as the way others perceive you, just as you observe others on the way up, ridingthe lift
        • Your personal style will develop and likely evolve
    Most important: HAVE FUN!!

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