What would be the best way to learn to ski? Well, to ski. Just like in programming and music. You can read much from books and you should read, but becoming a really good programmer you need to program a lot. How is this related to skiing? Skiing is a hobby you learn by doing, but is it enough? It can be, but probably it is not the optimum way to learn to ski. This article provides you few good tips to learn to ski so that you will be a good skier in a reasonably short time.

Why do you want to learn to ski - What’s your motivation?

First of all, think about your motivation to ski. Are you really willing to go to slopes and ski? Are you willing to be out there in cold weather? Especially you need to think if you are ready to accept that in the beginning you will not be a good skier, just like it has been with every single skier. I ask you to think about your motivation because I have seen so many people quitting just because they haven’t been really motivated, and they have felt it embarrassing to be a beginner.

So you think you are motivated and ready to start learning to ski? Good! That’s the right attitude. Next you should start surfing in the Internet and look for articles such as “learning to ski”, “skiing techniques”, “how to ski” and “skiing basics”. By reading “what skiing really is” you can create yourself a picture of the whole sport. Skiing is very natural for people in northern countries, but think about those in cities like Mexico City, Tokyo, Sao Paolo, Sevilla.. Skiing is not obvious or natural for them and therefore it’s good to understand what this sport really is. So, go surfing in the Internet and read books in libraries or order them from the Internet.

Learn to ski with someone who knows how to ski

What next? Skiing? Yes, it is time to start! First of all, hire yourself an instructor (such as Megeve-Mike) who helps you with equipment renting and getting to slopes. It is best to rent the equipment in the beginning, because there is a risk that you loose your motivation to ski and the first time skiing can be your last time skiing. By renting the equipment you make it sure that you will not loose the investment to pretty expensive equipment.

As soon as you have hired the instructor and you have rented the needed equipment with the help of your instructor, you will go to the slopes with him/her. Your instructor will probably give you a “theoretical lesson in skiing” before you actually go skiing, but soon after that you will start skiing for real. It is very important to hire an instructor. Learning by yourself is very difficult because you cannot see yourself and therefore you cannot “monitor” yourself. Your instructor will look after you and gives you advices all the time. He/she is an experienced skier and instructor who knows the best skiing techniques and the best ways to learn to ski. Let your instructor help you at least the first few hours in order to learn the right technique.

Why not asking for your buddy to help you to learn to ski? Asking a non-instructor to teach can be a bad idea. Your buddy may quickly get bored and frustrated and therefore cannot give you the right help. Although a professional instructor has a price, it is always better to invest to an instructor. Your instructor is also very needed in case you get injured. Yes, it is possible to break your leg or arm as a beginner. A professional instructor knows exactly what to do in an unexpected situation. You’re buddy might have no idea what to do in that kind of a situation.

Learning to ski by skiing more advanced slopes

As soon as you have learned the basics, you’re instructor will bring you to more advanced slopes to learn more. He/she teaches you the slope-etiquette and those “unwritten rules” (how to behave in certain situations) of skiing. After few lessons you should get back to your books and Internet sources, such as HomeboySki.Com Read again the techniques and “how to ski”-types articles and mirror that information to your skiing and your experiences. This helps you to understand the technical side of skiing. Read also about the equipment and start looking for equipment for your needs.

As soon as you’re skiing lessons are done and you are still willing to continue, it is time to buy you’re own equipment. Come up with an idea of the equipment you would like to buy, but remember to take someone experienced with you to a shop. He/she might be helpful when you don’t understand some details.

Well, then what? Simply go skiing as often as you can and try to enhance you’re skills every time you go skiing. If you do this properly, you will be a good skier one day.

Here are few good beginners books of learning to ski:

Anyone Can Be an Expert Skier 1: The New Way to Ski (Includes Bonus DVD)
($16.47)

Anyone Can Be an Expert Skier 2: Powder, Bumps, and Carving(Includes Bonus DVD)
($16.47)

The Essential Guide to Skiing: 201 Things Every Skier Must Know
($16.46)

The New Guide to Skiing: A Step-by-Step Guide in Color, Revised Edition
($15.61)

Inner Skiing: Revised Edition
($15)