Epic Sportsman - The Community of Extreme » Snow Sports

Skiing Basics

Arp Smith — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 11:20:03 +0000

Those who are new to skiing will want to make sure that they have the proper equipment before they even think of hitting the slopes.

A sporting goods store, or a skiing outfitter, will offer prospective skiers tips on the best, skis, poles, boots, bindings, gloves, helmets and eye protection to purchase. Warm clothing is a must, of course. Renting may be the way to go for beginners.

After getting outfitted, skiers will want to learn the proper posture and a few basic moves. A good stance is necessary to keep one balanced and moving efficiently on skis. Beginners should practice standing tall, feet hips’ width apart, with a bit of a forward lean. Knees should be slightly bent. Leaning back will cause the skier to lose his or her balance. The weight should be centered over both feet.

The Snow Plow is a basic move. Skis should be in a wedge position: The tips of the skis will be closer together than the backs. This move works to slow the skier down and help him come to a complete stop. Skiers should keep their weight distributed equally on both skis, with the skis flat on the snow.

More info: http://www.youcanski.com/en/instruction/beginners.htm

Snowboarding Basics

Arp Smith — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:44:26 +0000

Snowboarding is a great pastime for people in colder climates as well as a fun experiment for those who are just visiting. Snowboarding, as its name implies, has people boarding down snowy hills, veering left and right until the boarder reaches the bottom and comes to a halt. Conceived in 1965, it grew to popularity soon after, and even went all the way to becoming a Winter Olympic Sport in 1998!

The thrill of tearing down a winter hill never does get old, and it’s an amazing feeling with just how smooth it is. In spite of this, it can be very dangerous without the right precautions. When a person goes snowboarding, they must make sure that he or she wears appropriate protection from the cold to prevent frostbite, and to keep themselves well-padded to avoid any serious injuries. It’s not worth doing if there aren’t any guarantees that the boarder will be able to keep boarding, eh?

Snowboarding is not just a fun activity – it’s a serious, physical achievement, one that rewards strength and determination with success. If you’re looking for more information, check out this in depth article on the basics of snowboarding here: http://www.trails.com/how_140_basics-of-snowboarding.html