Embarking on your first skiing adventure can be an exhilarating yet daunting experience. To ease your journey from novice to confident skier, UNIQLO has sought the advice of professional ski instructor Alex Armand from Tip Top Ski Coaching to provide valuable guidance for beginners.
“Preparing for the slopes is not just about mastering technique; it’s about preparing your body and mind for the adventure ahead,” says Alex Armand. “By incorporating simple fitness activities, familiarising yourself with skiing environments, and setting achievable goals, beginners can approach skiing with excitement and confidence.”
Here are some key tips from Alex Armand to kickstart your skiing journey:
1. Prepare and strengthen your legs for the slope by upping your daily activity:Before hitting the slopes, it’s essential to condition your body for the physical demands of skiing. Alex recommends incorporating simple fitness activities into your routine, such as walking upstairs instead of taking the lift and gradually increasing your daily step count.
Alex says “If you go to the gym then doing some leg strengthening and core strengthening exercises can help a lot. Cycling is also a fabulous way to prepare. I love to cycle inter seasons to ensure that my legs are ready to tackle the slopes.”
2. Familiarize Yourself with Dry Slopes: Alex reassured first time skaters stating that “ski lessons are not essential before going on a skiing trip”. However, she did say that they would help. Alex added, “It would be ideal if you could perform a snowplough turn on the dry slope before arriving at the resort”. If possible, you should practice skiing on dry slopes or snow domes before your mountain excursion.
This familiarisation with equipment and sliding sensations will boost your confidence and readiness for the slopes. Remember, even if you’ve had prior experience on dry slopes, professional lessons when you get to the resort remain invaluable for skill refinement and safety.
3. Dress Appropriately: Alex emphasised the importance of dressing appropriately for the alpine weather saying that “having the right clothing is important for comfort. Gloves, suitable goggles and sunglasses, waterproof jacket and trousers. Layers are the key so you can adapt them depending on the temperatures.”
Comfort is key when skiing and proper attire is essential for warmth and protection. UNIQLO’s innovative HEATTECH range of thermal underwear and clothing is perfect for layering up to keep warm on the slopes.
4. Set Realistic Goals: Setting achievable goals is paramount for beginner skiers. Armand advises newcomers to focus on progress rather than perfection, acknowledging that everyone learns at their own pace. By committing to daily lessons and practice, beginners can expect to conquer beginner slopes by the end of their first week.
5. Embrace Ski Etiquette: Before hitting the slopes, familiarise yourself with ski etiquette to ensure a harmonious experience. Respectful behaviour and awareness of others contribute to a safer and more enjoyable skiing environment for everyone. To demonstrate respectful behaviour and awareness of others Alex advised that “you should stop in a safe place, look before you set off, give way to those below you and of course ski within your ability”.
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For those eager to put their newfound skiing skills to the test, UNIQLO have created a helpful guide to the best ski resorts across Europe. From picturesque Alpine villages to world-class slopes, these destinations offer unforgettable experiences for skiers of all levels.
UNIQLO’s best resorts for après: https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/content/best-resorts-apres-ski.html
