Here are 3 tips to unload from the chairlift safely without embarrassment. 

1. Keep your ski tips up, so that you don’t faceplant under the chair lift. 
2. Stand up by the signs AKA orange cones in Deer Valley, for instance. Your skis will caress the snow and you’ll get up.
3. Lean forward like a superwoman. 

Here is what NOT to do:

1. Keep your skis pointed straight ahead, and don’t wedge them or you’ll get tangled with the person next to you. 
2. Don’t use your poles. The chairlifts are designed to let you gently glide downward. Keep your poles in your hands to enhance your balance. You can also use one hand to push yourself off the chairlift. 
3. Don’t hang out in front of the chairlift drop-off point or other skiers will run into you. Get out of the way.

What to do if you faceplant.  Stay down or the chair may hit you. The chairlift operator will stop the chairlift and will help you get up. Be patient.

Hire an instructor and follow your instructor’s step-by-step instructions. Once you ride one chairlift, you can ride any chairlift. It’s the same principle for all of them. Before you take any chairlift, make sure that there’s a trail coming down that matches your skill level.

The post How NOT to faceplant off a chairlift AKA how to ride a chairlift appeared first on GlitterRENTS.

A fellow ski instructor told me to work your ski boots like you’d work a woman: top to bottom. OMG! Did I just say that? So improper! But you get the idea. Start buckling from the strap, top buckle, ankle buckle, over the foot buckles. I like to keep the upper buckles tight and the bottom buckles loose.

Your boots should be so comfy that they hug your feet like a second skin. 

Wear one pair of long socks pulled up without leaving any creases or your feet will hurt. 

Pull gators over your boots and the tops of your pants over the boots. If you squish your pants inside the ski boots, your legs will hurt. 

Check your children’s and friend’s boots if they complain about pain in their feet and re-buckle them. There should not be any pain. Boots should be an extension of your body and not cause any discomfort. That goes for rental boots, too.

Ceylan, what kind of ski socks do you wear?

I’m glad you asked. I’m a big fan of compression socks. They’re thin so I feel any pressure points on my feet. The downside of thin compression socks is that they don’t keep you warm. Hey, I have boot warmers. You’ll buy a pair of boot warmers when you purchase your own ski boots.

The post How not to create a hole in your shin AKA how to properly buckle your boots appeared first on GlitterRENTS.

Check out the descriptions to determine your skiing level. 

You’re a FIRST-TIMER skier…

 … if you have never skied before. You have never put on skis to glide over snow.

You’re a BEGINNER skier…

… if you say YES to 3 of these: 

1. Do you know how to stop?
2. Can you turn using a gliding wedge?
3. Can you side-step up and down a hill using your ski edges?
4. Can you change your direction by turning your legs? 
5. Can you tip your skis to turn?
6. Have you ridden a conveyor belt or a chairlift?

Beginner skiers ski on green terrain. 

You’re an ADVANCED BEGINNER skier…

If you say YES to at least 3 of these:

1. Can you link wedge turns?
2. Can you make turns to control your speed?
3. Can you steer your feet parallel?
4. Can you skate on your skis?
5. Can you side-slip on both sides?

Advanced beginner skiers are comfortable on all green terrain and they’re ready to explore easy blue slopes.

You’re an INTERMEDIATE skier…

If you say YES to 2 of these: 

1. Can you match your skis before the fall line? 
2. Can you change the edges of both skis at the same time?
3. Can you link parallel turns on small moguls and powder?
4. Can you pole plant in every turn?

Intermediate skiers make parallel turns on all blue terrain. 

You’re an ADVANCED skier…

If you say YES to 3 of these: 

1. Can you change your turn size and shape on steeps?
2. Can you use your poles for timing and rhythm on every turn?
3. Can you carve short radius turns?
4. Can you link parallel turns on moguls?
5. Can you adapt to changing conditions in all blue and easy black terrain?

Advanced level skiers comfortably ski on ALL black terrain. 

You’re an EXPERT skier…

… if you say YES to these:

1. Can you vary your turn size, shape, and rhythm on all-terrain?
2. Can you adapt and ski in all snow conditions?
3. Can you make dynamic carved short and long radius turns in all conditions?

Expert skiers are the masters of ALL black terrain. 

Remember a downhill skier always has the right of way. Be safe & have fun. 

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