If you want to ski like a professional, read this article to learn some baby steps, although it is by no means a substitute for lessons. Have fun skiing! Remember: you won’t always get the hang of it the first time.
Step One
Take classes so you can really learn and not be a danger to yourself or other skiers. Instructors will keep you safe, teach you quickly, make it fun!
Step Two
One of the first things you must know is how to stop. You will see some skiers with their skis spread in a pizza shape called the wedge. This position will allow you to control your speed and direction.
Step Three
Keep a centered and mobile stance. Knees and ankles slightly bent and weight over the balls of feet, and movement in all of your joints. When you try this be aware of your shins on the front of your boots pressing forward, this is key – stay off your heels and resist leaning back or too far forward – stay centered. Maintain plenty of verticle movement as you enter a turn.
Step Four
Remember to keep your skis straight to go fast; to go slower, open your legs sideways and spread out the tails of your skis wider (tips stay together). This makes a bigger wedge until it causes you to stop.
Step Five
Turn by pivoting with your lower body, or “stemming”. As you turn, you should pivot your skis to the direction you want to travel. Your legs should always turn before your upper body does. As you start skiing, you should feel some skidding as you enter a turn.
Step Six
Provide pressure to the downhill ski. This makes it a lot easier to turn! Try skiing while lifting the uphill ski off the snow. Try skiing while lifting the downhill ski off the snow. Notice that providing pressure to the downhill ski rather than the uphill ski makes turning much easier.