The Beginners Quest: Where's the best ski area to start learning?

Since you have start out on the "bunny hill" anywhere you learn, it is best to learn where the hills are flat and the lift ticket prices are low. You may be coming back to this hill more often than you think, and paying the steep lift ticket prices of the world class resorts and only using the bunny hill would be like buying an expensive bottle of wine only to smell the cork. The typical beginner hill is usually serviced by a easily learned lift and is no steeper than a hill on which you would go no faster than five miles per hour if you rode a bike straight down. The length of the run can be anywhere from a hundred feet and as much wide to the optimal which would be wide open in every direction. Look for the hill that has a lot of space. You'll need it. Your skis will not always go where you want them to.

In the Midwest, any hill is a good choice for learning, but take Indianhead for an example of a learning environment. The Mighty Mite beginner area at Indianhead is a small 1/2 acre fenced in slope that's more flat than slope. The area has a "Mighty Mite" lift which is a modified rope tow with handles. Here the beginner learns to walk around and begin sliding. The comfort ability zone on skis is expanded and nurtured in this area. You learn to make your first stops and turns here. After getting the hang of it, so to speak, you will be taken over to the next beginner hill which is the same thing only longer and a little steeper. Here, you could get going 15 M.P.H. or so if you went straight down. this is where you will be made as a skier. Most people take to skiing very quickly and after a few runs here want to try the regular runs. The regular runs aren't much harder, but you better know instinctively how to stop, turn and slow yourself down before trying these hills. Once you get to these regular hills, often classified as green and blue runs, you will join the ranks of the skiing community.

Before you put on your skis

First, make sure you have your boots on the right feet: the buckles go on the outside. Zip up all your pockets (so you don't lose your cash). Take goggles if the wear is cold or snowy. The goggles will make a warm air pocket around your face, while a neck gator or turtleneck can cover the other exposed areas. Make sure you judge the weather correctly, it can get cold, and on the hill time is money. If you are taking a lesson, and have to go in to put on more clothes, you could miss some important pointers. Learning is fast when you're a beginner. You will learn how to ski within a couple of hours, so be prepared to spend some time outside without a break.

Alpine Skiing School section in english version of WWW.SKI.BG is based on
"A Guide To Becoming An Expert: From First Time To A Lifetime"
by John Mukavitz Copyright © 1998