Are you about to book your very first ski lesson? It’s always exciting to embark on a new adventure, especially when it involves skiing! Everyone at CheckYeti still loves to remember their first time on the slopes. The struggle to stand on the skis later evolves into a unique feeling of gracefully sliding, almost flying, down high mountains while enjoying a breath-taking view on a snowy paradise.
But maybe you have already had your first skiing experience and are now looking for some insider tips? No matter how much experience you’ve had, a ski lesson is always a great way to improve your skills. The experts at CheckYeti reveal how not only beginners but also returnees, advanced skiers and even professionals can benefit from a ski lesson:
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- Adopting the right technique from early on; the safe way to success
- The more the merrier; the advantages of group lessons
- Don’t worry about a thing; how ski instructors help you overcome your insecurities
- Learn from the best; working on your technique
- Get some insider knowledge; instructors share their secrets
- Broaden your horizon; the most exciting off-piste offers
Adopting the right technique from early on; the safe way to success
Experienced instructors help beginners learn the right skiing technique Professional support is essential, especially if it’s your very first time skiing. Even if you have passionate skiers amongst your friends, who just can’t wait to pass on their knowledge, professional help is essential when you begin to learn to ski. Often people have to be retaught all the techniques they have learned because they initially tried to teach themselves or asked friends to help them, which resulted in them adopting incorrect movements and techniques.
Alongside their long-standing experience, skiing instructors have the necessary teaching skills through their intensive training. An instructor methodically organises the contents of each lesson according to the main focus and goal.
Security is, of course, a major priority in skiing. Instructors are trained to convey the safety rules to all participants, thus helping prevent accidents and ensuring that skiers adopt a safe skiing routine.
The more the merrier; the advantages of group lessons
- In the very beginning of a group ski lesson, the skiers are divided into different groups according to their level of experience. Skiers in the same group can therefore enjoy themselves more as they’ll be skiing with others with the same ability. This group system ensures that the lesson pace and level are appropriate for all participants.Another advantage of group skiing lessons is that participants can get to know one another and can share their skiing experiences and tips. The most competitive skiers can even have fun challenging other participants to a short race, in order to improve their skills during their skiing lesson.
Furthermore, lift rides or even the lunch break are the ideal opportunity to talk to fellow skiers or your ski instructor, and make new friends. This means that a ski lesson not only helps you learn to ski and improve your techniques but also offers a great opportunity to meet new and like-minded people.
CheckYeti Tip: Talking about meeting new people, ski instructor Thomas Vau offers ski touring lessons for singles in Lech am Arlberg, a skiing paradise in the Austrian province of Vorarlberg.
Click here to find out more about the ski lessons offered in Lech >
Don’t worry about a thing; how ski instructors help you overcome your insecurities
Ski instructors are always there to help Whether participants are afraid of standing on their skis for the very first time, of a ride on the ski lift or even of attempting to ski a black slope, instructors know what skiers are afraid of or insecure about and how to help. Before or during a ski lesson, a ski instructor usually talks to participants about their skiing concerns in a one-to-one conversation. With this knowledge, the instructor and the participant can work together on overcoming any fears and insecurities, to help the skier feel more secure on the slopes.
Even experienced skiers may have a difficult time starting to ski again after an injury or a long time off the slopes. Particularly in these cases, a ski instructor can be of great help. With a professional at their side, ski returnees can focus on regaining their confidence on the slopes and relearning movements and techniques will come much more easily.
Learn from the best; working on your technique
A race training session is ideal for fine-tuning your technique © Skischule Snow Experts Pass Thurn The perfect technique – something even the best skiers still try to achieve by training every single day. But just like professionals, amateurs can practice their skiing technique and learn just as well. Learning-by-doing is a quite popular theory and has proven to be very successful. However, learning-by-watching works miracles in skiing and having a ski instructor who can analyse your skiing technique and give tips for improvement is a definite recommendation.
A technique lesson is the ideal option for ski returnees. Lessons focusing on technique help skiers quickly reactivate unlearned movements and reflexes and therefore make the return to the slopes much easier. Over the past years, not only the skiing material (e.g. carving skis or the design of ski shoes) but also the skiing techniques have continuously evolved. With the support of an experienced instructor and a little bit of practice, returnees will have no problem getting used to the new equipment whilst also picking up old skiing habits.
CheckYeti Tip: For all skiers wanting to push their technique to perfection, a race training including a video analysis is just the ticket! Here, the participant’s skiing skills are recorded and then analysed with an instructor. In Kitzbühel, for example, ski race camps are offered for teens from age 12yrs.
Read more about offers in Kitzbühel >
Get some insider knowledge; instructors share their secrets
Even someone who’d say they know a certain ski resort and its slopes inside out will always benefit from a ski lesson. With a ski instructor, even local skiers can learn new things about the ski resort and maybe also get some insider tips.
As ski instructors know resorts like the back of their hands, they’ll be able to tell their students where to find slopes that only a few people know, when to best use lifts and many more helpful tips. With such knowledge, participants can ski down freshly groomed slopes and to enjoy a great day on the pistes without having to deal with too many other skiers or queuing for ages for lifts.
While professional instructors may know everything there is to know about slopes and lifts, their expertise doesn’t end there. Anyone who as ever been skiing – even once – knows that après-ski is a big part of the ski trip! Whether its knowing where to find the best “Germknödel”, the best spots for taking photos, or where to go to for the wildest après-ski parties – talking about it with fellow participants or an instructor will help you get all the insider knowledge.
Broaden your horizon; the most exciting off-piste offers
Ski touring is a great activity for discovering other aspects of a mountain Apart from classic alpine skiing, there are a lot of other activities winter-sports enthusiasts can discover, snowboard or splitboard lessons being just two alternatives.
The discipline of cross-country skiing, for example, has become more popular over the last few years. This sport is quite cheap compared to other winter sports as use of cross-country skiing trails is for free. For those looking to experience a true adrenaline rush, ice climbing or snowbiking will surely suit their taste.
Another exciting activity is ski touring. The difference between classic skiing and ski touring is that ski tourers actually can go up to the very top of the mountain, where they’ll get to enjoy wonderful panoramic views. In Mayrhofen, ski touring activities are also offered for beginners. What’s more, ski touring is an activity that burns up to 700 calories per hour! After an intense workout like that, you can eat an extra “Germknödel” without feeling bad at all!
More details on the offers in Mayrhofen >
As someone who loves going on adventures, I simply love to share my know-how and insight on our outdoor sports offers and tell you everything I’d want to know about all these beautiful places and exciting activities. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or tips on rafting, canyoning, paragliding or any other activity, I’m always happy to tell you all about it!