Mt Hotham Skiing and Snowboarding for Beginners
If you have never skied or snowboarded before the First Timers Learn to Ski or Board is just for you.
Starting out in a snowsport can be scary and intimidating. You are unfamiliar with the equipment, the beginner runs seem extremely steep and all the other people skiing or boarding seem to be flying by you. Practise and a little bit of confidence goes a long way but some expert tuition from the Snowsports Centre will have you on your feet in no time! A range of programs are specifically tailored to people who have never been on skis or a board before.
Hotham's Snowsports Centre's is here to provide a patient, easy-to-understand beginners lesson in a relaxed, safe and 'easy to understand' learning environment. Their team of professional instructors from around the world ensure you reach your personal goals and most importantly, have fun.
Lesson meeting places and times
Classes start at 10am and 1.30pm outside of Hotham Central. Please meet 5 minutes prior to lesson time.
Starting out at Hotham can also be helped with their range of Tips and Tricks; simple yet effective helping hints to get you off to the right start.
TIPS & TRICKS
- Skiers
Try sitting up on your skis. No matter what your skiing level try to keep your hips above your feet. You will know you are sitting back if you have burning thighs. Try to make sure you have your ankles bent, and remember that you should feel contact with the front of your boots.
If you feel your tails skidding out you may be too far forward. Make sure you are bending both your ankle and knee. Try some jump turns to make sure you are in the middle of the ski.
If you feel that you are skidding the whole ski then you need to work on your angulation. This means putting your skis on edge but moving your knees and or hips into the hill whilst keeping your upper body balanced over the outside ski.
When attempting short turns you need as few moving parts as possible. Make sure your upper body faces downhill, turn your feet and use mainly your knees for edging the skis.
When skiing on steeper terrain you need to control your speed by finishing your turns. A good way to get the correct angulation is to plant your pole as far down the hill as possible.
On ice it is important to make all your movements as smooth as possible. Try to edge gradually and early but if you do slide make sure you do travel down the hill with the skis and do not fall into the hill.
- Snowboarders
Beginner snowboarders should aim to ride with a centred stance - have your weight distributed between both feet and look in the direction that you want to go.
Better control of the board will result from steering your legs to turn the board rather than using your body to turn the board.
Practice small jumps and the landing before attempting the bigger hits. Aim to land low and centred. You can increase air time by extending the legs on the take off and pulling the board up under you to go for a grab.
Try varying the size and shape of your turns instead of doing the same turn. This will add variety to runs and make you more versatile on varying terrain.
Powder on a snowboard can be the best fun when you are a good rider but learning can be frustrating. Aim to keep the nose of the board above the snow and do rythmic steered turns rather than getting too much edge; think light!
When attempting railslides start with the rails that are at snow level. Build up slowly on the rails as a fall can hurt. Get the feel of balance whilst sliding on the rail. Good luck!
