Learning to Ski As An Adult: Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Learning to ski as an adult can be more challenging than it sounds. Follow my tips to avoid beginner mistakes and start skiing with skill and confidence.
Learning To Ski As An Adult is a Journey
I was 19 when I clicked into skis for the first time, and it was another year before I attempted to ski again. It took two hours of sweating and falling for me to get down the bunny hill on my first go around.
By the end of the day, all I wanted to do was lie on the ground. I felt like I had accomplished nothing besides getting a couple of fresh bruises from tumbling off my skis.
The next time I went, instead of having my friends try to teach me, I signed up for lessons. That season, I took three lessons and got a handle on skiing basics.
The following season, I got a pass at my local ski hill and purchased used skis and boots. I was committed to improving my skills and wanted to keep up with my friends.
It wasn’t until the next season, my second full winter of skiing, that it finally started to click and I could do black runs without wanting to cry.
After that season, I knew I had outgrown my beginner skis and needed longer and wider support. Before my third full season, I got a brand new pair of skis and focused on speed and quick maneuvers that year.
Learning to ski as an adult is not an overnight process (unless you have an unnatural physical ability to pick up sports in no time); it takes grit and a true desire to grasp the concepts.
The following tips contain everything I wish I had known before I started skiing and the invaluable knowledge I picked up along the way.
Planning a Ski Trip Vacation?
See my post about the ultimate ski trip packing list. Don’t forget these essentials for hitting the slopes!
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Learning to Ski As An Adult: Getting Started
How difficult could learning to ski really be? Everyone on the mountain makes it look effortless, carving graceful S shapes without overexertion.
As someone who lacked a knack for sports, I had certainly underestimated the time and effort it was going to take before I had even a shred of confidence on the slopes.
It never occurred to me before moving to Colorado that I would learn to ski. Most of my college friends had grown up skiing, and I wanted to join them on their weekly trips to the mountain.
I rented skis in town, and we drove up with the promise that they would teach me how to ski. The thing is, though, when you learn to ski at three years old, you don’t really remember skiing basics or the best ways to show someone how to build good skiing habits.
It was a disaster. Everyone was giving me different advice, and I didn’t know which to follow or how to control my movements. I couldn’t even get up out of the snow without taking my skis completely off and clipping back in once I was back on my feet.
Clearly, I wasn’t going to learn this way, and I became frustrated. It wasn’t until I had my first lesson that I felt like I had made real progress.
Invest in Learn to Ski Lessons
If you want to learn to ski as an adult, taking lessons is the best place to start. An instructor not only knows the most effective teaching methods, but they can also correct bad habits right away.
With my instructor, I got a handle on stopping and working on my balance. They showed me how to get up after a fall without taking my skis off to stand.
Instructors will also give helpful criticism. While friends and family might just tell you “good job!” and “you’re doing great!”, an instructor will point out how to better your posture and encourage you with proven teaching tips.
It’s also a lot easier to get frustrated at friends and family than at an instructor doing their job. The instructor holds you accountable and makes you want to do your best.
Friends might tell you the best way to learn to ski is to be pushed down a black run and see if you can make it to the bottom. I beg to differ because not only is that dangerous to yourself, but an out-of-control beginner is a danger to the other people on the hill as well.
Start on flat ground, and at least know how to stop and turn before attempting a challenging run.
Rent Your Gear First
Depending on where you take your lessons, skis, boots, goggles, and a helmet might come included. I highly recommend renting gear at least a few times before purchasing anything to confirm you really want to learn to ski.
Even used skis can be hundreds of dollars, and while you rent, you can try out different brands and lengths until you find what you like.
Buy Used Gear While Learning to Ski as an Adult
Buying used is not only a great way to initially save money, but when you want to sell your beginner skis and trade up to intermediate ones, you won’t lose as much money as if you bought new skis to begin with.
I also found used goggles, a ski jacket, and discounted “last year’s color” snow pants. You don’t have to have a brand-new getup to stay warm. Figure out what you like before purchasing tons of new gear.
The only thing you won’t find used is a helmet. To guarantee the collision protection of the helmet, it must be free from past impacts. A helmet was the first piece of new gear I bought while learning to ski as an adult.
Layers For Skiing
A lot of beginners can be chilly on the mountain because they don’t have the right layers under their outer coat and pants. Avoid cotton! It won’t keep you very warm and the fabric will keep sweat close to your skin instead of wicking it away.
Merino wool is going to be your best friend. I wear a thermal merino top and bottoms with merino ski socks. Even merino underwear keeps me warm while sitting on the chairlift.
I’d also get a merino Buff to pull up over your nose for particularly cold and windy days. Windburned cheeks are no fun.
➡️ See my post about merino hiking clothes (it also mentions the best base layers for skiing).
Learn more about cold weather hiking tips if you’re looking to expand your outdoor winter activities.
When You’re Ready to Upgrade Your Skis
After a couple of seasons, your skis won’t be able to keep up with your newfound speed and skill. I could feel in the way I was skiing that I was ready for extra length.
If you can, test a bunch of skis before you get a new pair. Whether that’s renting a pair for a day or trying several at a time. Christy Sports at Copper Mountain in Colorado has a “demo ski package” that I booked to try many unique pairs.
I was fitted on a pair of skis, did a run, then returned to the shop right at the mountain base to switch out for another pair. After trying 5-6 pairs of skis, I found ones that I loved and purchased before the next season.
The skis I thought I was going to like ended up not being what I wanted. Plus, comparing skis on consecutive runs was much more insightful than trying to compare them with different conditions on different days.
As a taller woman, I ended up feeling much more stable on men’s skis. The shorter, narrower women’s skis of the same model just didn’t give me the control I wanted. If I hadn’t had the opportunity to test both versions back to back, I might have gone with the women’s skis — not even realizing I would have preferred the men’s version.
Testing goes for boots, too. Christy Sports has a ski and boot demo package that will also let you try as many boots as you want.
Learning to Ski as an Adult: Beginner FAQs
How long does it take to learn to ski as an adult?
I’m not the most coordinated person, so, for me, it took about three seasons of skiing me to get the hang of it. Some adults only need a few lessons and they’re naturals. Don’t beat yourself up if it takes you a while to be confident.
Do adults need ski lessons?
Yes! I took ski lessons as an adult and they really helped me form proper habits right off the bat. Time with a skilled instructor is well worth it.
Should I buy or rent ski gear?
Rent for a season first to decide if you like skiing and want to invest your time and money. I rented skis, boots, and a helmet before I bought them the following season.
How much can you save buying used skis?
You can save significantly buying used skis. A discount of 50% or more depending on how old the skis are. Even like-new skis can be found for a decent price if you check Facebook Marketplace or used gear stores near you.
Additional Tips For Adults Learning to Ski
- If you’re a student, inquire about discounted season passes or lessons. My local mountain offers a college student pass with proof of a transcript.
- Bring snacks and a flexible water bottle in your coat pockets. Learning to ski as an adult uses a lot of muscle and energy. You will get thirsty, especially at high elevations.
- If your nose is exposed to the sun, don’t forget sunscreen. You can still get sunburned in winter. The sun reflecting off the snow can give gnarly burns if you’re not careful.
Motivational Tips
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Skiing is totally a mental game.
- If you go down a really scary hill, I encourage you to do it again immediately after. Because you just did it, you know what to expect and can improve upon your previous run. Once I figured this out, the “scary hill” didn’t seem so bad after the second time, and my confidence grew.
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Don’t be afraid to look silly.
- I didn’t learn to ski with poles, so once I started using poles, I didn’t really know how to hold them without them getting in the way. Holding the poles horizontally directly in front of my chest turned out to help me keep my torso facing downhill while doing my turns. Did I look weird? Probably. But I learned to keep my body facing downhill rather than moving it side to side with every turn — improving my form considerably.
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Be proud of how far you’ve come.
- When there’s always a bigger, harder hill to conquer, your progress can get a little lost on you. I remember feeling like I hadn’t improved at all. Even though I was making it down steep blue runs without falling. Going back and doing the runs I used to think were challenging built up my confidence and made me realize I had improved immensely.
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Little kids will be better than you, and that’s ok.
- Watching toddlers carve down the mountain without a hint of fear in their eyes can strike up some jealousy. “Why can’t I just go for it like they do?” “Why does it look so easy for them?” I would ask myself, but then realize that I am a lot higher off the ground. A hard fall could break something important. Kids don’t yet have a fear of breaking a hip or getting a concussion. They’ll take risks that adults wouldn’t dream of and master skiing potentially much faster because of it.
When You’re Learning to Ski as an Adult, Safety is Number One
It can be easy to give in to peer pressure to go down a run wayyy above your skill set because all your friends are doing it. Maybe let them go down it first before you decide to give in. They can report back about the conditions and can help determine if it’s within your abilities.
A challenge is how you get better, but be smart about it. Don’t put yourself or other skiers in danger by making a dumb decision.
