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Snow skiing is not just a hobby but can also be
a classy way to keep fit. Remember James Bond,
skiing in cold pursuit of the bad guys! You can
be in tune with Mother Nature, enjoy fresh air,
and be one among the mountains. With a little
training you too can take up snow skiing not
just as a hobby but also as a way of life.
It helps if you are staying in an area where it
snows. This will make it easy for you to travel
to and fro from the mountains where you plan to
ski. There are various types of skiing
techniques
that you could learn. There is Alpine or
downhill skiing, Cross-country or Nordic skiing,
speed skiing, extreme skiing etc. Depending on
which style of skiing you want to learn, you can
buy the matching equipment. You will therefore
require the correct type of skis. So for example
for cross-country skiing you will require skis
where the heel can lift up to enable you to
‘walk’ on the snow, whereas in alpine skiing you
will require to be fully attached to your skis,
so that you can stay in control during your
downhill run. Cross-country skis are also longer
and thinner. The construction of your skis is
also very important. Older skis were made of
wood but now in addition, skis are also made of
aluminum, fiberglass and nowadays, of carbon
fiber, titanium and Kevlar. You can join classes
or a ski school which have skiing instructors to
teach you all about skiing. They can provide you
with the right equipment to teach you about
skiing. You can learn privately, where a ski
instructor will provide training only to you or
you could sign up in a group. Private lessons
are naturally more expensive, but then you get
the undivided attention of your instructor. So
choose according to your budget. Basic training
is necessary for whichever style of skiing you
want to pursue further on. The skiing slope
should have a variety of small obstacles like
bumps and twists so that you can learn to jump
over them or dodge around them. You should be
warmly dressed with a ski jacket, snow goggles
and proper gloves. As with any other sport, keep
a first aid kit with splints and painkillers
close at hand always.
In the beginners course you will be taught to
stand up, maintain your balance and ski slowly
down a gentle slope. You will then be taught to
increase speed as well as turn left and right by
shifting your body weight. You will also be
taught to use your ski poles correctly. Ski
poles help you to maintain your balance as well
as propel you ahead. Always warm up by doing
simple stretching exercises or take a small
walk. Advanced ski poles are light and flexible
but sturdy. Once you learn to ski, then you can
start downhill skiing. Your speed will be
determined depending on the gradient of the
slope and the snow conditions. Downhill skiing
is fast and exhilarating and you feel the wind
in your face as you turn your body from side to
side. On a big mountain slope, you can try
various different ways of skiing down. That will
provide hours and hours of unlimited fun, and
also improve your skiing skills.
There are various styles in skiing downhill such
as powder, free-style, speed and mogul. Powder
skiing is when you ski on light powder like
snow. Ski lovers love this kind of skiing since
it allows them to display their technical skills
and the feeling of gliding over powdery snow is
pure bliss. A mogul is basically a slope with
lots of small bumps, where you use your knees as
a spring to move over the bumps. This style
improves not only body flexibility, but also
jumping skills and timing. This style is also
very exciting because each bump has its own
unique character.
However, the best way for you to get totally
immersed in nature is to try out cross-country
or Nordic skiing, also known as backcountry or
off-piste skiing. You can attempt cross-country
skiing once you get enough skiing experience,
since cross-country skiing involves skiing in
un-chartered territory. Do not attempt it alone;
take along a partner who has prior experience.
Also carry a proper first aid kit along with
you. If your mobile phone works in those areas
then carry it along or if budget is not an issue
you can carry a satellite phone or GPS system
along with you. Cross-country skiing puts you
literally in the lap of nature and the feeling
of skiing long distances without anybody bumping
into you can totally relax your mind and body.
You can visit different ski resorts, which have
cross-country packages. That way, you can get a
change of scenery and skiing conditions every
time you go cross-country skiing. Wear bright
colored outer clothing and be careful of
avalanche prone areas during your cross-country
adventure. Once you have mastered these forms of
skiing, and still want more adventure, you can
enter into the dangerous arena of extreme
skiing. This involves skiing down from almost
90-degree mountain faces and moving at maniacal
speeds. It also involves high and long jumps and
you should attempt this only if you have become
an expert in various methods of skiing and are
medically declared ‘physically competent’ and
tough enough to handle it. Broken bones and
concussions are unwanted side effects of this
extreme sport.
Many resorts provide weather forecasts and these
can be useful if you want book a package or even
before you leave on one. Your ideal vehicle
would be a 4 wheel drive SUV with lots of
interior space and a ski rack on top. This rack
can hold your skis, if you are planning to use
your own. Since the weather will be cold, your
vehicle’s heating system should also be checked
before leaving. A first aid kit with medicines,
warm and waterproof clothes and flasks filled
with hot chocolate and coffee should be taken
along if there are no proper eating outlets
along the way. Your clothes should include
thermal underwear, thermal shirts and pants,
padded thick ski socks. Over these clothes you
can wear a woolen or fleece jacket or sweater,
ski pants and your ski boots. Do not forget to
wear a ski helmet.
Nowadays, there are many variants to snow skiing
such as snowboarding, which can be tried out.
Even physically handicapped people can learn to
ski, with technology now providing for special
skiing equipment. So, do not just look at the
snow from your window. Go out, take a deep
breath and enjoy the wonders of nature. Skiing
is a wonderful sport and it is also a hobby to
keep you fit for life.
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