🏂⛷️ Combined Skiing and Snowboarding Beginner Tutorial

Welcome to the snow sports world! Whether you choose skiing or snowboarding, the key to starting is adapting to the snow, learning to control speed, and mastering direction safely. This guide provides common foundational knowledge for both sports, along with the core beginner techniques for each.

🌟 Step 1: Shared Fundamentals and Safety

These basics are universal and apply before you even strap on your boards.

1. Equipment and Gear

Gear: Boots Function: Ankle support, board control Skiing (Alpine) Notes: Hard shell, locks ankle and calf tightly Snowboarding Notes: Soft shell, offers comfort and flexibility

Gear: Helmet Function: Essential safety protection Skiing (Alpine) Notes: Recommended Snowboarding Notes: Strongly recommended

Gear: Goggles Function: Protect eyes from glare and weather Skiing (Alpine) Notes: Recommended Snowboarding Notes: Recommended

Gear: Clothing Function: Waterproof, warm, breathable Skiing (Alpine) Notes: Ski pants are often more fitted Snowboarding Notes: Snowboard pants are often baggier

2. Walking and Balance (Without Boards)

Practice walking in your boots on flat snow to get used to the weight and stiffness. Learn to find your balance on uneven surfaces.

3. The Skier’s Responsibility Code

1. Stay in Control Always ski or ride in a manner that allows you to control your speed and direction.
2. Yield to Others People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
3. Stop Safely Stop only at the side of the trail or where you are clearly visible to others.
4. Observe Signs Heed all signs and warnings.

⛷️ Step 2: Alpine Skiing (Two-Plank) Core Beginner Technique

The goal for beginner skiing is to master the Snowplow (or Wedge), which is the foundation for speed control and turning.

1. The Snowplow for Braking / Slowing

The most fundamental way to control speed in skiing.

Action Points:

1. Tips Close Keep the tips of your skis close together, forming an “A” shape. Do not cross them.
2. Tails Open Push the tails of the skis outward.
3. Pressure Inner Edges Use your lower legs to apply even pressure to the inside edges of both skis.
4. To Brake Increase the width of the ski tails and increase pressure on the inner edges.

2. Snowplow Turning

Using weight shift to control direction.

Action Points:

1. Maintain the snowplow while gliding slowly.
2. Weight Transfer To turn left, shift more weight to the right ski (outside ski). To turn right, shift more weight to the left ski (outside ski).
3. Outside Ski Control Maintaining pressure on the outside ski guides the turn.

🏂 Step 3: Snowboarding Core Beginner Technique

The goal for beginner snowboarding is to master Side Slipping and the Falling Leaf, which are essential for adapting to sideways movement.

1. Single-Foot Skating and Flat Ground Movement

1. Single-Foot Glide Strap in the front foot only. Use the back foot to push the board, similar to skateboarding.
2. Proper Stance Knees slightly bent. Weight centered over the board. Shoulders aligned with the board, not facing straight downhill.

2. Side Slipping

Controlling speed while sliding sideways down the slope.

Toe Edge (Facing Downhill): Face downhill, lean slightly forward, apply pressure to your toes. The toe edge pushes snow to slow you down.

Heel Edge (Facing Uphill): Face uphill, lean slightly backward, apply pressure to your heels. The heel edge pushes snow to slow you down.

Speed Control Rule: Standing more upright creates stronger edge grip and slower speed. Leaning more flattens the board and increases speed.

3. Falling Leaf

A side-to-side sliding technique, moving downhill like a falling leaf.

Action Points:

1. Starting Position Begin on the heel edge, facing uphill.
2. Lateral Movement To slide left, apply slightly more pressure to the front foot. To slide right, apply slightly more pressure to the back foot.
3. Steering Control Gently release edge pressure to glide. Re-engage the edge to slow down or change direction.

💡 Key Tips for Progress

1. Hire an Instructor A professional instructor is the fastest and safest way to build correct fundamentals.
2. Practice on Green Runs Master stopping and turning before moving to steeper slopes.
3. Stay Relaxed Keep knees and ankles bent to absorb terrain changes.
4. Prioritize Safety Always follow resort rules and respect your limits.

Enjoy the slopes! 🎿🏂