Skiing: how should you start?

Skiing is a popular sport, and while it's possible to ski, I recommend you to do it!

But where should you start if you haven't tried it before? I have prepared a short and easy to follow guide for the beginners of skiing.

1. THE BENEFITS OF SKIING

Skiing is not only a fashionable sport – it is useful for your body and mind too. Here are some major benefits that skiing provides to your health:

• Strengthens joins and bones. Your knees are enduring the weight and tension from the body as you move downhill quickly, thus they are being strengthened each time you ski. This also helps to prevent knee damage and osteoporosis.
• Boosting your mood. Skiing is quite an intensive sport usually held outdoors. This intensity and fresh air helps to improve your individual physical and mental health.
• Increases cardiovascular endurance. Skiing is an aerobic endurance activity, and this will help you burn calories and lose weight. Keep in mind that you can work out even more if you climb the mountain yourself instead of using the ski lift.
• Promotes deep sleep. Due to the intensity of this sport, you will most likely feel very tired at the end of the day. This exhaustion will make you go directly to bed and fall asleep immediately – no internet, TV or other distractions.
• Promotes healthy habits and appearance. Fresh air all day, no junk food (the Italian pizza doesn't count, of course) and sun will be your best friends during the skiing holiday. Enjoy it!

2. IMPORTANCE OF THE LESSONS

As much your relatives or friends will try to help you, hire an experienced teacher instead. And here’s why:

• skiing teachers know all the tricks for a beginner. You will most probably be able to perform basic skiing maneuvers after the first day of your lessons;
• skiing teachers have the right amount of patience. They will not be annoyed or mad if you won't do it right – and this is very important for keeping your mind calm and focused to learn skiing;
• skiing teachers will help you to stay safe and healthy. As you may not see it in the first place, skiing might be quite dangerous too. There are special techniques how to fall which will help in avoiding traumas.

3. THE RIGHT SKI GEAR

It is extremely important to start skiing with the proper equipment. Whether you buy it or rent it, here's what you must look for:

• high quality helmet;
• UV goggles;
• quick dry, synthetic underwear;
• wool or synthetic base layer;
• fleece mid layer;
• quality ski socks;
• outer layers - skiing pants and jacket;
• water resistant gloves;
• and, of course skis and their accessories.

Skiing is one of those sports that you will love it or hate it from the very first experience, but if you follow our advice, the love for skiing is the most probable outcome of all!