Learning to ski as an adult

We all know, the earlier you start skiing, the less apprehension you have. But rest assured, whether you are 30, 50, or even 70 years old, there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to learn adult skiing!

As with anything in life, you will start with the basics :

1. Knowing how to stop, first in a snowplow

2. Controlling your speed, for your safety and that of other skiers

3. Skidding, to know how to stop at higher speeds and with full control

4. Turning, to link turns

Once this is acquired, you will gain confidence and will be able to easily descend your first green or blue slope without fear of falling!

Don't forget that equipment plays an important role, so don't hesitate to go to a ski rental shop to ask questions and find out about the size and type of ski you need. We'll go into more detail on this topic at the end of this article.

The most difficult thing when starting is certainly the fear of facing the slope. So remember to ski by leaning forward, even if the natural reflex of any beginner skier is to lean back (which makes you gain speed and lose your balance). On the contrary, in skiing, the secret is to overcome your apprehension and want to "bite" the slope head-on.

When you are not skiing on a flat surface, lean on the outside ski, to negotiate your turns well.

Finally, essential points for learning adult skiing, bend your knees (so you can turn more easily and control your skis better).

Don't try to ski with style if this is your first time: focus first on technique and acquiring the right movements.

Taking 2 to 3 hours of lessons per day will help you progress faster and allow you to correct your mistakes. To benefit from cheaper lessons, go skiing off-season or look out for special beginner promotions at certain resorts, such as Courchevel or Saint-Lary. There are private individual lessons, as well as group lessons with few participants (group of 4-5 people maximum). The ESF (French Ski School) or the International Ski School offer lessons for adults at all times of the year. For beginner adults who have already skied a little, lessons are also interesting for progressing and gaining confidence on more technical terrain.

And if it's really your first time on skis, it's best to take several lessons during the week, without necessarily skiing all day. No need to tire yourself out too much, that's where you risk making mistakes and getting injured!

You can also learn adult skiing with experienced (and patient) skiers, within your group of friends or from family members. Like lessons with ski instructors, they will correct your mistakes and can teach you some tricks (skater's step, using a drag lift, transitioning from snowplow to skidding, etc.).

If you ski without a ski instructor, choose slopes suitable for beginners. A growing number of people want to learn adult skiing, so resorts have slopes and areas for starting skiing, such as Tignes with its "1, 2, 3 Ski Start" area. This will prevent you from encountering faster skiers and allow you to ski in peace.

Choose a resort with beginner zone passes or passes valid for only a few hours, such as the 2-hour pass at Gérardmer : it's better not to accumulate too many lesson hours if you're starting this sport. Take a few hours outside of lessons to put into practice what you've learned during them.

To make the first descents easier, also choose slopes and times when the snow quality is good: neither too soft nor icy.

Choosing the wrong equipment when starting adult skiing is extremely frustrating. You want to "make up for lost time" and have the best possible conditions, so if your boots or skis are not suitable, you will struggle to acquire the right movements and that will frustrate you. 
So, how to choose your equipment when learning adult skiing? Ask experienced skiers or go to a store with a team that can perfectly advise you on selecting your equipment: light skis facilitating movements (with a binding adjustment so that the skis detach in case of a fall, thus avoiding injuries), poles, comfortable boots, helmet (highly recommended), suit, gloves, and sunglasses if needed.

At Sport 2000, you can easily book online ski packs adapted for adult beginners (as well as beginner children). Look for « blue » skis, or towards the « Primo Pack » if the store offers it. This beginner pack is ideal for learning to ski at a mini price.

For some years now, some skiers have forgotten the basic safety rules, which must therefore be reminded: the downhill skier (below) always has priority, so you must not cut them off. Learning adult skiing also means knowing how to go around skiers you pass, respecting enough space to avoid any collision. If you stop, position yourself on the sides of the slope and not in the middle of it, nor in a turn with poor visibility.

If you tend to be afraid of other people on the slope, it's better to go to the mountains outside of school holidays, when there are fewer people on the slopes.

Finally, do not listen to music on headphones, so as not to lose your concentration and avoid accidents.

These few tips will help you better approach your first time skiing. You'll see that in a few days, you'll start to enjoy the slopes and appreciate the joys of ski holidays! If you're more tempted by snowboarding, we've also dedicated a guide to learning this sport.