One Common Skiing Mistake Can Have Dangerous Consequences For Beginners

Beginner skiers have a lot to worry about, such as getting on and off fast-moving chairlifts and learning how to carve turns on skis without doing face-plants. All this multitasking can lead to mistakes, one of the more serious being taking a wrong turn onto a run that's exceptionally steep or dotted with obstacles or moguls (large bumps in the snow). Advanced runs like these can be downright treacherous for beginner skiers, especially those who can't turn and stop effectively. 

Possible consequences of attempting a too-steep run could be loss of control and subsequently crashing violently into the snow, a stationary object like a tree or rock, or another skier. For sure, misplaced beginners are a danger not only to themselves but also to anyone else around them on the mountain. Anyone who frequents ski resorts has likely witnessed a terrified novice careening down a slope, arms outstretched, poles flailing, and a look of horror in their eyes that screams "I can't stop!" To avoid this kind of newbie disaster, there are a few things you should do. First of all, after getting off the chairlift, take out your ski area map (commonly called trail or piste map) and map an easy route to your destination, whether that's a particular chairlift, the base of the mountain, or the mid-mountain cafe where you're meeting your buddies for lunch.

If you're at a large world-class ski resort such as one in the American West or European Alps, your route may include multiple interconnected runs, which should all have "easy" ratings if you're a novice skier. The importance of this cannot be overstated: Understand your mountain's color-coded system for the difficulty ratings of its ski runs and believe this system. Don't be tempted to take an intermediate or advanced "shortcut" because it will get you to your destination faster, no matter how hungry you are for those hot fries and veggie burger.

Once you have your route, your next task is to follow it faithfully down the mountain, which can be easier said than done when inclement weather like snow or fog limits visibility. In these conditions, be careful not to get disoriented and take a wrong turn onto an advanced run. Go much more slowly than usual, stay close to your companions, and reorient yourself with your trail map when necessary. If visibility deteriorates to the point that you can't see more than a few yards in front of you, it's time to take a hot chocolate break and wait for the clouds to clear. Besides, not knowing when to rest and refuel is another common mistake that skiing newbies make.

Imagine you're gleefully gliding down the mountain and you see an intermediate or advanced run that isn't on your planned route. But you're tempted to take it because the scenery is pretty. And from your particular vantage point, the terrain looks surprisingly easy. Don't do it! Many advanced runs start out flat and easy like this, but this may just be the appetizer. Meanwhile, the main course — like a steep drop-off with a dizzying minefield of moguls — may be lurking just beyond your field of vision.

If all this sounds impossibly daunting, the best way to cure yourself of newbie skier status is to take lessons from a professional ski instructor. You don't have to be a rosy-faced toddler in a pastel snow suit to enroll in ski lessons. Ski schools offer lessons for people of all ages and ability levels all around the world — at large resorts, small ones, and everything in between. In ski school, a trained expert will provide you with customized feedback on everything from your posture to your pole plants. They will also help you navigate around the mountain so you can familiarize yourself with the terrain and the layout of runs in different areas. Professional instruction will go a long way in helping you avoid common pitfalls so you can focus on what really matters — staying safe and enjoying your time on the slopes!