Becoming An Expert Skier Or Snowboarder

By Daniel Blinman

Few things are more exhilarating than flying down a chilly slope, crisp wind nipping at one´s cheeks, listening to the crunch of powdery snow, spraying up to form an icy wake. There is the thrill of being almost-off balance, nearly falling but not quite as you lean into a curve, carving up the slope and speeding toward another exhilarating turn.

Skiing and snowboarding are two incredible ways to get exercise, time outside, and a thrilling rush of adrenaline. Indeed, exercise is a major part of either skiing or snowboarding—either can be quite aerobic anywhere beyond the steps of the lodge—even on the bunny slopes. The great part about skiing or boarding, however, is that the muscle soreness and fatigue tend to hide themselves behind the sheer fun of the activity, so it´s easier to get longer, better exercise on a slope than it would be, say, on a treadmill. Every moment is a thrill, the body coordinating itself to perform feats of agility and reflex that leave the rider feeling light, strong, and powerful. Who has time to notice a muscle ache in the face of that kind of exhilaration?

Don´t be fooled, however—it does take practice. One of the best things for a first-time rider to do is to invest in a class or two. An introductory class generally teaches all the essential basics of gear, mechanics, dynamics, and safety on the slopes, and it can be very encouraging to know that other beginners fall, too. Falls are inevitable, but there is a difference in frequency (and severity) between snowboarding and skiing. Snowboarders tend to have more wipe-outs, but skiers take the cake for epic spills. Choose snowboarding for more time on the ground, but choose skiing for more time chasing the skis down the hill after a particularly heroic tumble.
When considering beginning a career (or a hobby) in snowboarding or skiing, there are a few important points that ought to be remembered. First, nothing worth doing is ridiculously easy.

It´s easy to fall prey to discouragement after the fiftieth fall. But generally, continuous, bull-headed effort eventually breaks through, something ´clicks,´ and about two hours later the black diamond runs are starting to look like an exciting challenge. Second, don´t be afraid of the hill. Many people tend to lean back, away from the slope, but on the slick powder this results in an up-ending, and they end up with a sore tailbone. Snowboarding and skiing don´t necessarily have to be for the fearless, but a basic understanding of physics goes a long way.

Third, don´t be foolish. That adrenaline rush can overwhelm the brain with feelings of indestructibility; it is helpful to ski or board with a knowledgeable, honest partner to provide realistic evaluations of one´s readiness for certain moves, slopes, or routes.
Fourth, have fun. There is hardly anything more satisfying than nailing a difficult route, but also take the chance to laugh at a fall, a collision with a tree, or tangled ski tips. Don´t allow those moments to be soured by despair or anger--there´s a certain amount of glee in looking back on those moments when carving up the slopes like a pro.

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