🎿 5 Common Skiing Mistakes Beginners Make - And How to Avoid Them
Skiing is an exhilarating winter sport ⛷️, but for newcomers, it can also be a bit daunting. While everyone tumbles a few times when they're starting out, many common mistakes can be easily avoided with a little awareness and guidance.
If you're hitting the slopes for the first time or looking to brush up on your basics, here are five common skiing mistakes beginners make and how to steer clear of them:
1️⃣ Leaning Back Too Far
This is perhaps the most classic beginner mistake. When you feel yourself picking up speed 🏂💨, the natural reaction is to lean back to slow down. However, this actually puts your weight on the tails of your skis, making it harder to turn and control your speed. It also increases your risk of falling backward.
👉 How to avoid it:
Focus on maintaining an athletic, forward stance. Imagine your shins pressing against the front of your boots 👢. Your weight should be evenly distributed over the middle of your skis. Think: "shins to tongues" of your boots.
2️⃣ Looking Down at Your Skis
It's tempting to watch your feet 👀, but focusing on your skis can disrupt your balance and make it harder to anticipate what's ahead. Your body tends to follow your gaze, so if you're looking down, you're less likely to be looking where you want to go.
👉 How to avoid it:
Keep your eyes up and look ahead, scanning the slope about 10–15 feet in front of you. This helps you react to terrain changes, other skiers, and obstacles 🚧. Bonus: you’ll also get to enjoy the stunning mountain views 🏔️!
3️⃣ Not Bending Your Knees and Ankles Enough
Stiff legs are unstable legs 🦵. Many beginners keep their legs too straight, which makes it hard to absorb bumps, initiate turns, and stay balanced. Your knees and ankles are your shock absorbers and key to dynamic skiing.
👉 How to avoid it:
Consciously bend your knees and ankles. Keep them flexible and ‘soft’. This helps you ride smoothly over uneven terrain and maintain control. Try practicing gentle up-and-down movements to feel the flex in your joints 🤸.
4️⃣ Relying Too Much on the Snowplough (Pizza) 🍕
The snowplough (a.k.a. ‘pizza’) is essential for beginners to control speed and stop, but many stick with it for too long. While useful early on, it’s not efficient for turning or advancing on the mountain.
👉 How to avoid it:
Once you’re comfortable stopping with the snowplough, start transitioning to parallel turns ➡️➡️. Focus on small, controlled turns by shifting your weight and rotating your knees and hips. Taking a lesson with an instructor 🎓 can really accelerate this progression.
5️⃣ Trying to Do Too Much Too Soon
The thrill of skiing can tempt beginners to tackle steep runs before they’re ready 🏔️⚠️. This often leads to frustration, fear, and even injury.
👉 How to avoid it:
Stick to easy green and blue runs ✅ and progress gradually. Focus on mastering the fundamentals: stopping, turning, and speed control before moving onto tougher terrain. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small wins 🥳. Remember: the mountain isn’t going anywhere!
🏔️Conclusion
By being aware of these common pitfalls and actively correcting them, you’ll progress faster, build confidence, and have a much more enjoyable time on the slopes 🎉. Book a lesson with PEAK now to avoid these mistakes and jumpstart your ski journey.
✨ Happy skiing and safe adventures! ⛷️❄️