Teaching beginner skiing is a fun activity whether it's a job or you're teaching a friend or relative!

Steps

  1. 1
    Caution the beginner that no matter how fast others are going, it is their job to stay in control. Remind them that racing is for more experienced skiers. Also, remind them of all the rules of the ski area that you are in, including rules about "Right of Way."
  2. 2
    Teach the beginner how to properly put on skis. Remind them to listen for the click and check to make sure the skis are on right by jumping up and down a few times.
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  3. 3
    Teach them how to "waddle walk" with skis if they are not using poles. If they are, teach them how to use the poles properly, and how to put the pole straps on before you go on any run.
  4. 4
    Tell them how to use a ski lift. There are many different types of ski lifts. For a chair lift, remind them to wait behind the line and then go as fast as they can before the next chair comes around.
  5. 5
    Choose a "green circle" or beginner run. Different ski areas have different criteria for beginners, so make sure that the run doesn't have anything you might call steep or icy. You might want to check it out before you take the beginner up there.
  6. 6
    At the top of the run, teach them how to stop. They can either "snowplow" by pointing their toes together, or simply turn uphill, which will always work.
  7. 7
    At the top of the run, tell them to make one wide turn to go down to the next stopping point. Demonstrate, so they can follow your tracks in the snow. Have them turn, and stop, for the rest of the run, unless they feel that they can try to make 2 turns, then stop.
  8. 8
    Slowly build up their confidence until you can go on some different runs! When they fall, tell them to get right back up again!
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    When do we use poles?
    Norman Paperman
    Norman Paperman
    Community Answer
    Poles are usually added once the skier is capable of making basic parallel turns, and is able to make hockey stops.
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Warnings

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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 76,875 times.
82 votes - 73%
Co-authors: 9
Updated: November 22, 2021
Views: 76,875
Categories: Snow Skiing
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