learning to ski & snowboard essential guide

The essentials for beginners

As a beginner, one of the best things you can do before heading to the mountains is have a go on an artificial or real snow slope in the UK where you can get used to wearing skis or a snowboard and even master some of the basics.

Once you come to choosing your holiday, it is worth looking into beginner-friendly resorts which offer a good nursery slope area for youngsters, an accessible beginner’s area and a good number of early-intermediate runs to progress onto.

Learning can be frustrating at first, but you’ll be amazed how far you can go in a week. Skiers will work up from the snow plough through snow plough turns to parallel turns whilst snowboarders move from side-slipping and “falling leaf” onto toe and heel edge turns.

Taking lessons with a qualified instructor will mean you learn in a structured way, building up from the basics. If you are on holiday with other learners you may like to book a private lesson if there are enough of you to make it cost-effective.

If you are going away with more experienced skiers and snowboarders, a good compromise can be to opt for morning lessons before meeting up with your snow buddies for lunch and having a go at what you’ve learnt in the afternoon with them.

Once you have got to grips with your skiing or snowboarding you can progress on to harder slopes and, with a qualified professional, into off piste terrain. You can also consider skiing with Ski Club of Great Britain Leaders who will show you around the mountain.

To ski or snowboard?

Whether you take up skiing or snowboarding really comes down to preference - both are relatively easy to pick up. What the majority of your friends or family do may be a factor in your decision, whilst the other sports that you are interested could also affect your choice.

If you enjoy board sports such as surfing, skateboarding or wakeboarding, it stands to reason that snowboarding might be a good option for you. If you however you like waterskiing, downhill mountain biking or roller blading, then skiing might be a better choice.

Other things to consider are the practicalities of skiing and snowboarding on the mountain. There are pros and cons on each side, for example skiers wear hard boots which make walking more uncomfortable than for snowboarders who wear soft boots.

Skiers are however more mobile over flatter gradients such as lift hubs when poles come in handy. Snowboarders either need to build up speed to cover flatter sections or unclip their bindings and walk to the next slope or lift.

In terms of enjoyment on the slopes there is nothing to separate the two snowsports. Both skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the mountain in equal measure and there is nothing stopping skiers and snowboarders riding together.

If you choose to snowboard, you will need to choose your stance - either goofy (right foot forward) or regular (left foot forward). There are also various binding settings to choose from which will affect your riding – hire shops and UK equipment retailers will be able to advise you.

Other options

Telemark skiing is a form of downhill skiing where the boot is attached to the ski at the toe and the heel is loose to move vertically. The word telemark actually denotes the sort of turn made using telemark skis where the downhill ski is advanced and the uphill knee is bent.

Cross-Country skiing also involves a free heel, although as the name suggests it generally takes place over flat ground. Cross-country skis and poles are thinner and lighter than alpine skiing equipment but without the gradients it can be quite a workout.

British ski schools

Learning to ski or snowboard with a British ski school can make all the difference to your holiday – both when you’re planning your trip and once you’ve got to your resort.

If you’d like to organise your lessons in advance, British ski schools offer English websites with easy to use booking forms. Many companies such as BASS (British Alpine Ski and Snowboard School) allow you pay in advance in pounds in the UK leaving you less to do on arrival and meaning you could get a better rate.

Once on the slopes, learning with an English speaking instructor can make a huge difference when getting to grips with your technique as they’ll be able to explain the details clearly without the need for translation. They’ll also be more likely to share your sense of humour and cultural values.

British ski schools will also generally have instructors with BASI (British Association of Snowsports Instructors) qualifications, meaning that even if you go to a different resort each season, you’ll still get a sense of continuity if booking with a British ski school each time.

Ski and snowboard equipment for beginners

When first starting out, it’s advisable not to buy skis or a snowboard but to hire your equipment in resort instead. Once you’re hooked (and we’re sure you will be) this is a great time to think about investing in your own equipment. Even after a week of skiing or snowboarding it can be a sensible option to invest in boots. Having happy feet will make your time on the slopes more enjoyable.

If you are hiring kit there are a few different ways to hire your equipment; you can pre-book online (which is a great way to save on the cost of hire), you can arrange it through your holiday provider, or you can sort it out once you have arrived. Ski Club of Great Britain members get 25% off equipment hire in resort.

Once at your hire shop, trained staff will make sure you have the right equipment to suit your sex, weight, and experience. As well as skis or a snowboard and boots (plus poles for skiing), nearly all hire shops also hire out helmets, which are becoming more popular than ever before.

Buying your own clothing will be vital to ensure you are comfortable and warm. It is worth going along to your local snowsports shop to get advice on kit and clothing. Layering is important, as is ensuring your outer layers are waterproof. This includes your gloves, jacket and trousers. If you are warm and feel happy with your kit this can add to the enjoyment of your ski holiday.