Living in the West and never trying alpine skiing is like living near the beach and never going in the water. All 11 western states have ski areas, and the sport can be learned at any age. Before hitting the slopes, however, consider four points:
Clothing
Select clothing that is warm, breathable, water resistant and loose fitting. Because changes in outside temperatures and your level of physical activity may cause you to sweat or get colder, layer clothing that you can add or remove.
For your base layer, choose clothing made of fabrics that transport moisture away from your skin, such as polypropylene or wool.
Sweaters made of fleece (spun pile polyester) or wool will keep you warm while an outer shell that is water resistant but breathable will keep you dry. For the lower body, consider either loose-fitting, insulated shell pants or form-fitted, stretch pants.
Wear mid-weight wool socks, but avoid the temptation to double up – they tend to chafe and bulk. A good idea, if you are worried about getting cold, is to wear a thin polypropylene liner sock under a normal-weight wool sock.
For heat retention, cover your ears with a wool hat, preferably one with a no-itch headband liner. Alternatively consider a helmet. It’s warm and can add a level of protection if you fall in trees or near rocks.
Select a pair of orange or amber goggles with good air circulation, a double lens and an anti-fog coating. Several goggle and helmet manufacturers have teamed up and developed an integrated fit with goggles meshed snugly into the front curvature of the helmet. Finally, invest in a good pair of waterproof, breathable mittens or gloves.
Equipment
If you’re new to skiing, let an experienced salesperson help you select a line of entry-level equipment – boots, bindings, skis and poles. As a rule of thumb, select flexible skis that come up to your chin. Rear-entry boots provide a relaxed, comfortable fit, are easier to put on and accommodate a wide range of foot sizes. After you’ve mastered basic skiing, you’ll want to move to stiffer skis and tighter front-buckle boots, which give greater control on more difficult terrain in a variety of snow conditions.
Beginners can rent poles, boots and skis with mounted bindings on a daily, weekly or seasonal basis at most ski areas or in-town ski shops. If you later decide to buy, many rental shops will apply your rental fee to the purchase cost. Alternately, check out the lesson-lift-equipment packages offered by most ski areas.
Instruction
Once you’re ready to hit the slopes, invest in lessons with a professional instructor. Group lessons are often fun and cost-saving. The Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) has standardized teaching methods nationally, so instruction should be similar wherever you go. If time is a concern, many ski areas offer night-lit trails where you can take lessons in the evening after work.
Where to Go
There’s no need to start your first season at a pricey, world-class resort where you’ll pay to ski on terrain that’s far beyond your initial ability. Any nearby ski hill will do, since you’ll spend your first days confined to the bunny slope. When you’re ready, you’ll graduate to riding a chairlift up short, gentle beginner slopes. As you gain in proficiency, you’ll have fun moving to progressively more challenging slopes.
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