Before you start down a hill with your skis on it is best to learn a few simple skills. This will prevent you from being permanently damaged or maybe permanently turned off the sport. The whole process can proceed quickly if you do the flat land exercises first. Then proceed slowly on a gentle hill first learning how to stop and then learning how to change your speed from slow to faster and back to slow.
The flat land training teaches how to use feet and legs in order to accomplish a certain feeling or action. It also introduces you to the rudiments of how skis are made to turn at your command. Spreading your feet wide wearing your boot without skis attached you can simulate the same feeling you will encounter when making a ski turn.
For instance when you lean forward you will feel both pressure on the ball of your foot behind your big toe and on your lower shins. By shifting your upper body from side to side you will feel the pressure needed to make your skis turn.
If you repeat this motion without pressing on the front of your boot you will be in the perfect stance for you when skiing down hill.
(When you become an intermediate skier the only difference is that both your feet will be side by side. You will also be facing down the hill with your skis on and starting a turn.)
Next when gliding on one ski by pushing forward with the other starts your training for sliding and gliding on skis. You can either make a square or go back and forth in a straight line. At the corners or the end of a short glide line you make a turn by scraping the snow with your ski. By pressing out with your heel you can make you ski fan out in a wedge shape. If you use your right foot you will make a left turn. The process is similar to spreading peanut butter or mayonnaise on bread. Give both feet a chance to go around several squares or lines. This motion simulates slowing down or finishing a turn.
By completing these moves and exercises you have practiced all the rudimentary skills necessary to ski.
All the above is included in my free Manual noted at the top right corner of this blog.
