As mentioned on Introduction, the Austrian School (AS) does a good job in teaching absolute beginners the first matters. And there are too many first matters to cover them all here. So, unless you're a good speed skater (see later), I'd refer you to a ski school for your first lessons.
Preferably one at home in an indoor ski center with real snow. Even though that's man-made, it's real snow and will give you the same feel and experience as on the mountain.
If such a center is not available, see if there's an ice skating center. Especially learning to brake on speed skates (not ice hockey skates), with a straight plow and if you can with parallel left and right turns, is a good preparation as well.
There are also indoor rolling-carpet ski centers, and outdoor dry slope centers:
I would recommend them for intermediate skiers who want to improve or test their technique, but not for absolute beginners. There are several reasons for that:
- Both have a different feel from real snow. And depending on their state of maintenance and sub type, a very different feel.
- Dry slopes can have an uncomfortable, special type of drag lift. Drag lifts on real snow are the normal, much less uncomfortable type.
- Dry slopes are hard; falling on them can easily lead to injuries or damaged clothes.
- Practicing on rolling carpets is much more tiring than on real snow.
What the first lesson should look like
On real snow, this is what the first lesson should roughly look like:
Pay special attention to how the instructor is gripping the poles, at 1:10. Put your hand through the strap loop from below, then grip the handle with the strap between hand and handle. Here you'll find a video just about that topic, and the reason why.
I programmed the video embed so that it stops about halfway. That's because from there it's better to continue with the below videos. A topic that's not covered in the above video is how to stand up after a fall and how to put on your skis on a slope. That's important to know, and this video will show that:
Another important topic not covered is how to turn around on a slope if you do not yet have the technique to make a quick 180° skiing turn. A method that can also be used on a medium steep slope is the star turn, which is explained best in this video.
Finally, an important back-up technique in case you find yourself on a for you too steep slope is this: slide-slipping, also called side-skidding. That technique is explained in this video:
One thing should be noted, however. The instructor says that you should edge your skis by moving your knees uphill ("roll the knees in"). That works quite well if you need little edging. If you need more edging, because the slope is very steep or hard, you should move your hips (= pelvis) uphill. Just try it, and see that the knees will then follow and that your skis will tilt more.
Proceed to The Straight Plow →
Change log
- V. 1.1: added video on side-slipping/side-skidding.
- V. 1.2: changed advice regarding practising on rolling carpets and dry slopes.
- V. 1.3: changed video on side-slipping.
