when i was a kid, my dad directly helped me and i never actually falled prob twice a day but not more, after 7 years i’ve retryed skiing its so hard since i dont do sports anymore😢
I just learnt how to ski a week ago, at first It was awkward with young kids skiing past me, but by the end of the trip none of that mattered and I was having a blast.
I have never heard you say you felt like a fool before. Alex, you have done so many new things. We who watch you would never call you a fool for trying your best with all your endeavours. I watch you because I admire what you are doing with your life. I am 75 now, and if I am lucky I have at least 10 years left. Go for it Alex. Live your best life while you can! 💕🇦🇺
Skiing is incredibly difficult if you are taught the wrong way from the start. Everything that gets programmed into you stays with you always and forever. If Alex continues on this track, he'll end up a mess and that's a shame!
@@donalddarko4871 Time on the snow, yes. Intuitive or instinctive or natural, absolutely not! Skiing it the exact opposite of what you would think to do. Same with a golf swing. Parts or your body need to be controlled and other parts moved in a way that might be completely unnatural. You need to learn what the piece of equipment needs from you to allow it to work as designed. The world's instructors haven't found that out.
I’ve only started skiing this season and have yet to get proper ski lesson. To say I’ve fallen so many damn times is an understatement. I even cried on the beginner slope as a 28 year old. This video is motivating me to learn more. Never give up and never surrender.
Skiing priority works on down hill having priority, skiers up the hill have to accommodate. So don’t worry about getting in the way! Also, for your first go you’re really good, everyone starts looking like Bambi on ice. It’s easier when you’re a kid learning (low center of gravity, no fear, heal quickly, etc), and I was lucky to learn and get pretty masterful as a kid, it takes far more courage as an adult so massive props!
You look about the same as I did when I first started to ski. it took me three days before I felt confident enough to think I was a skier. Don’t give up. And don’t wait too long to go out again. Your confidence builds day by day. I’m 67 and I ski and snowboard. I love the mountains and the snow. Good luck to you.
I live in Colorado, and I love skiing. I’ll admit, I was quite ahead of myself when I first started taking lessons thinking that skiing would be a breeze just because I know how to rollerblade. I was very wrong! Skiing is hard! I found out pretty soon everyone started out the same way: lots of falling and mistakes. It’s important to not give up. Skiing is so rewarding! It’s what I do almost every weekend now.
as a ski instructor myself it brings as huge smile to my face seeing you want to learn to ski! it is much harder to learn the older you get so never too late to start. Loved the video as always Alex keep it up!
This was so amazing watching you learn!! As a ski instructor your instructor and friend did quite a great job teaching you the fundamentals of skiing!! Ditch the poles until you start doing full parallel turns! By getting rid of the poles it will allow you to focus on your turning and stopping:) good job!! Skiing is such a great sport and is a lifetime of fun!!
I went skiing for the first time last week. Heavenly Lake Tahoe. 35 years old. No lessons- trial by fire (or ice). Holy crap when I first went down the hill (blue), I had my skies parallel going straight down. I must have hit 50 miles per hour. I freaked out and tried to do a hockey stop, in which I was somewhat successful. I landed on a snow bank, and fortunately, I went skiing the day after a huge storm, so the powder broke my fall. There was a perfect indentation of me on the snow bank. Took me almost 5 minutes to get back to my feet. Then I ate it again, and again. But Like Rocky Balboa, I kept at it. No way was I going to give up on my dream of skiing. Finally, I got the hang of breaking and slowing down. But by that time, I was pretty bruised and cramping up. Now, I'm a pretty big guy- 6'1" 230 lb with size 14 snow boots. I didn't know how hard it was to carve/rotate motion with my skis. I'm working on my weight, flexibility, and my leg strength for next time. But what a rush. I loved it.
Great video! Loved the scenery and your positive attitude! I have just learned how to ski this Christmas at 40+. It is important to have an instructor, who explains you patiently about basics of skiing and I watched some videos too. At first I thought I will never do it, but by day 3 after practicing a lot on green bunny slopes at my own pace I could feel how fun it is and why people love skiing. I think it is important to understand to turn a lot and control your speed by turning often. When it clicked to me I felt more relaxed and did not tense my body as much, just turned and I felt so free and optimistic. When I finally was brave enough to go on a longer slope, still green one, I felt amazing first third of the ride, then I started to panic and stopped turning as much and fell few times. Then it was important to regain the confidence and not to panic, seeing other learners helped too. I am so proud of myself that in 3 days I made a lot of progress and would love to keep up with my kids on blue slopes next skiing vacation.
this is so motivational!!! i went skiing as a complete beginner in new zealand just recently and stacked it at the top of the kids conveyor belt on my first day, but at the end of my time there i was able to confidently ski some good runs without falling. it's definitely all about mastering the little skills and putting them all together as you build confidence.
Seriously brought a tear to my eye. I'm heading off to the Dolomites in the Trentino region in northern Italy tomorrow. It'll be the first time skiing in actual mountains again after I snapped my right lower leg while skiing in Austria, 4 long, looong years ago . I am definitely not as good a skier as Phil, but MAN did I miss it. Thanks for reminding me of my own journey to learn to ski as well as I do now, with all the good and the bad things that happened along the way! Even one of the most traumatic injuries I've had to go through in my life won't stop me from getting out there again. It just is that exhilarating to swoop down a mountain, watch the snow covered peaks, magical winter wonderland trees zoom by, hear the crackling of snow under your skis, feel the cold wind in your face. There just is no better feeling for me. Also a tip: do NOT apologize for being a noob. Do NOT be distracted by better skiers zooming by you. Phil probably has told you about the "laws" of the slopes, which mean that skiers coming up on you from above have to take your noobishness into account and watch out accordingly. I'm glad I found your channel, love your wholesome content, everything so far has been a very friendly and calming experience.
If there is one thing you shouldn't apologise over is "getting in the way of other skiers" because the understanding is, if you're in from you have the right of way. It's the people behind you who have to account for your place and being. And I don't think there's a single skier who who say that learning and pushing yourself is bad. Everyone loves to see someone improve.
I worked as a ski instructor in the next valley over, Zillertal, for a couple of seasons. It's such a nice area and the people living in these tiny mountain villages are lovely. You did pretty good for a beginner Alex, the last couple of shots you were looking way more relaxed. Once you learn how to let gravity do all the work and stop fighting it you will love it even more!
"Once you learn how to let gravity do all the work and stop fighting it," And yet, 99.99% of the world's instructors don't teach that because they don't understand that!
I went skiing yesterday effectively for the first time (I took a 1.5 hour lesson last year but the instructor was terrible and I never got off the bunny hill because I couldn’t figure out turning). I had a much better instructor yesterday who actually took us up the lift and down the green trails (easiest). After the lesson I bought a ticket and went up on my own. I wiped out at least a dozen times if not more trying to perfect the turning process (I wasn’t using the pizza wedge), but every time I picked up speed I psyched myself out and bailed. My left leg also seemed to be slightly weaker, so my right turns were not working out as well as my left turns. There were so many times where I wanted to be done for the day, but each time I said to myself “No. I paid for the lift ticket. I’m getting my money’s worth even if it kills me. I’m going until I can turn right properly.” I skied from noon to 5pm. Each time I went down the hill I wiped out less and less. Finally, on the last 4-5 times, I finally started getting the muscle coordination down to turn right almost as good as I did left. I could pretty much reliably get a nice wide turn to either side and stop if I wanted to. I could pick up some speed without getting psyched out. The last 4-5 times down the hill I only fell once or twice out of all of them. I was so proud of myself for persevering because it paid off! I got a decent enough at skiing to the point where I feel like I could go back and not kill myself. I got a long way to go before I can call myself a “good” skier, but I proved to myself that I can do it!
You did really well. I learned to ski when was maybe 5 and continued to through school. For someone in their mid 20s I'm assuming, it's not easy to just pick up. The fear isn't there when you're a kid, you care way less about falling or being embarrassed, and our bodies are more cautious when we get older. Now 30 I find it nearly impossible to get myself to climb up a tree or dive anymore. Great job and I hope you continue to ski
You did a good job. I started skiing with 40. With 50 I made my skiinstructor just for fun. I do not have the time to teach but as better you are in skiing as more fun it is. Try to practice each day something even if you are skiing for fun. And ask the instructor always for what the drills are. Most common mistakes are backseat, not enough pressure on the outside ski and to much rotation in the upper body. But donˋt forget: Skiing is about fun.
Its so much harder to learn when youre already grown up because you tend to go faster the bigger you are, and you therefore need to break more effectively. Very good look there on day 2! Keep it up, I'd like to watch you learn some more
10:58 You shouldn’t apologise. People will move out the way for you. Plus you are the best type of beginner. Those who get ski instructors I will always respect or at least have someone else who is experienced helping because those who try and learn on their own are dangerous to themselves and others. I’ve seen way to many incidents where beginners are out of control and crash into others. You look in control and hopefully you continue to enjoy the sport!!
People who take ski lessons are in just as much trouble as those who don't. Ski teaching is still in the dark ages before shaped skis arrived. Snowplow and Stem turns are the worst things a person can be taught. I could have made a person like him into a competent parallel skier in a couple of hours. Right now, he has been ruined by the teaching he received. That mess you saw was his instructor's fault not Alex's.
Yes I agree. My friend did one ski lesson then came skiing with me and was doing parallel very quickly. Most of it is money related, the like for them to keep coming back to lessons than allow them to progress quickly. Whereas I want my friend to progress quickly so they can ski with me
@@JB91710 to be fair it’s much easier for a beginner who has never been on skis before to learn pizza. Parallel skiing requires a lot of muscles that newbies definitely don’t use, and it’s also much more technical. As someone who was in ski school from 4-15 at Alta in Utah, they started me with pizza and over time turned those into parallel turns and now I tour in Alaska with my uncles. I would say it all depends on the athletic ability and power of the skier, a weak skier will not be comfortable enough committing to full parallel turns as I’m sure you know it requires the full body.
@@ncdozer3103 My 54 years of teaching and thinking tell me you have that backwards. Watch my video to see how little effort is involved. All you need to do is practice sliding and then balancing on one ski in a traverse, then turning into the hill to stop and then change your weight and balance to the uphill ski and that ski will make the new turn.
@@JB91710 for an athletic person it’s little effort, for those that have terrible balance and can hardly get their skis on while on a mild incline it is certainly not.
I felt the same at the times when I tried to learn to snowboard. Unfortunately what I discovered is that I am an idiot and get too confident too quickly and then do something stupid and on both occasions I tore cartilage in my knee (left one first and right one second). I concluded that I am not suited to it, even though I enjoyed it at the time! Doesn't help I couldn't afford to do it regularly enough to get any better, but being out on the snow is always awesome. Good efforts Alex, I also tried skiing and you were waaaaay better than me! And no need to apologise for getting in anyone's way as everyone was a learner at some point.
i remember my first day skiing... and watching this really reminded me how hard it really was... you've done well, everything your basic instincts tell you to do (leaning backwards, leaning into a turn...etc) backfires in skiing and you have re-program your legs and balance! don't worry about looking like a fool, this is what all learners look like (sometimes better but sometimes worse xD)... and don't worry about these other skiers, they're used to having beginners on the slopes and having to go around them... and they can always go up to the harder slopes if they really can't stand beginners! These guys skiing backwards and flying all over the place are usually the locals, they've been skiing since they were kids... it's unfair to compare yourself to them and yes, the views are ALWAYS amazing, the fresh air and scenery... to me, skiing is also a retreat and a stepping away from the world... it's so good for the soul!
As a skier myself, you are incredibly fast learner You were amazing! when I was new, I used to struggle, but I kept on going and now I’m really good at skiing! Don’t give up!❤
I was an instructor for a while. One gentleman who claimed to have never put skis on before managed basic parrallel turns within the hour that I was teaching him. I was stunned but that was definitely a huge exception. Even my wife took two full days to get where you were at the end with me all to herself. You definitely didn't do badly at all!
I m from Thailand, I was a decent iceskater when i was a teenager, but had never ski before and haven't been skating for 15 years. I' m 45 and my story is I started to ski when i was around 36 year olds by just watching some good beginner videos on youtube and went back to ice skating ring in Bangkok to regain my skating memories for a couple of days before I went to Hakuba, Japan for my first time on slopes. Amazingly I could transfer all my ice skate skills to ski first time off, it was like the basics are the same to iceskate just you have to be careful with the ski because they re a bit longer and within 10 minutes I went up the chair lift and ski down beginner slope and yes I could do it! first time ski at 36 years old of age without any ski instructor.
I haven't been skiing for many years but this has reminded me how much I love it, don't apologise for being a beginner Alex, everyone flying past you was a beginner once as well! Another great video
Well done Alex you did really well. I went on a skiing trip to Italy with my school when i was 13 and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ski lift you went on was called a ski drag back then as it literally drags you up the mountain. Sadly I have never been able to afford to go again but it definitely was a great experience.
Actually no! If you are falling it is most likely you are not being taught correctly. Once you have gained your balance and your anxiety level is lower, falling should become less of a problem. To achieve that, you must understand what skiing is and what the skis need from you so they can make the turns for you. Ski Instructors worldwide focus on Making the skis turn instead of Allowing them to turn. A person's focus should be on their upper body positioning and their weight and balance change from foot to foot, not on their skis. If you thought about the front tires and steering mechanism of the car instead of rotating the steering wheel, your car would never turn.
@@tbonius_monk That's actually very true. There are no Real teachers or mentors to guide us. Humans make the same mistakes generation after generation. That's why I made my teaching method as simple as possible, to teach rather than just repeat the same senseless foolishness.
Alex you really done very well for two sessions. Trying new things is the spice of life ! Skiing just frees your mind and fills the soul. Just taking a second to graze your eyes along the mountain tops...is all it takes
And after 26 years of skiing as an tyrolian i still have the same feeling as you told: i feel sorry for everyone who skies better an i was in theyr way and also i have the feeling that it's amazing to watch skiers dealing really well in conditions in which you feel like a beginner-while the real beginners are far behind me...but getting better will never have an end for every real skier and as tyrolian who can't imagine to train how to go upwards (i learned it in an age i even cant remember) i really respect everyone who tries it - especially if he doesn't think he needs the same boots and skies as an expert, no helmet and never looking what's coming from above while taking/cutting the whole slope thats real dangerous and a beginner will be under high stress like everyone else and it's not pleasant to all
Well done Alex. I've been watching you and your brother for around 8 years now, and great to see how your channel is developing. We moved to Sweden last year and I tried skiing for the first time ever yesterday (aged 38!). It's difficult and frustrating and addictive, in equal measure!
This is why im glad i was skiing the other type of skis a long time before I started skiing. Ive been in the slopes 6 times and im already hitting jumps as tall as me. So i could basicaøly skip everything he has to do now.
My first time skiing was this previous winter. Long story short, I didn't practice enough, I didn't know the routes of the resort, I got pressured by friends, and ended up falling 60-100 times.
It’s OK when fall as long as you can get up again it’s a natural learning process. If you don’t fall, you never get better. I’ve been skiing since I was three years old I still fall sometimes.
watching this one month before I ski for the first time ever at age 25. this is a really encouraging and honest learning journey, thank you for making this ❤
I think most people who "fail" to learn skiing or not see the fun in it are those who dislike the adrenaline and are really averse to even the minimal risk taking. I started skiing at age 29 and 2 winters later went down the Black Mamba at Kitzsteinhorn without many issues and didn't fall the whole way down. That aversion to risk taking shows why there is no child who can't learn skiing, they all learn so fast, because they are free of that fear that paralyzes so many adults. It's actually only fear that prevents people from skiing and not an actual lack of ability, well at least for blue slopes. Like the first time you actually carve down the slope and pick up the pace while feeling in control is something that can't be described. Can't wait for this winter to come.
Perfectly respectable effort! The locals at these resorts were practically born with skis on their feet and have a lot more time to hone their skills, so they make it look easy. It's pretty alien to us Brits.
My 1st week in my life of skiing which was this year I already went down a hard blue slope and nearly learned how to parallel turn XD I think I learned very fast, but Alex! You did do very well! Do not say bad things bout you being bad at skiing. It’s not embarrassing it just means that those other people have been skiing for a long time! And also it’s skiers not ski-people :D enjoy your next skiing season!
Awesome Alex. As a mad keen skier, angler and lover of all thing Austria i’m enjoying this content. Stick with skiing - it’ll take you to amazing and beautiful places, the food in the mountain huts is amazing and the apres ski parties are ace.
The thing to remember when learning any new skill (and in particular something like skiing that takes time) is that virtually no one was born with the skill or knowledge. Some people like to create the impression that they have always known (which is a pretty big character flaw), but they didn't, and were in the same spot you are. So never compare yourself as a beginner, to those with experience.
Learning when you are not a kid is very hard. Some of us took too long, I'm talking about four seasons (6 days per season) to slide down through a red slope with confidence and knowing I was not going to kill anyone on my way. But the effort, falls, fatigue and all that stuff are really worth it. And when you think you can't learn anything else, then you unblock something in your head that makes you understand what you were not doing well. Enjoy your own pace, the views, feeling there up in the mountain... the apres ski is important too! Great motivation to wait for the winter.
I tried skiing last week and liked it! Decided to buy my own gear so i won't have to rent all the time. I really wanna be good at it since there's not much to do during winter!
Well done as you are just beginning to learn about how much fun and how beautiful skiing can be. Remember all those people that skied by you or who were skiing backwards started just like you did. They’ve just been fortunate enough to ski many, many days. Personally, I’ve skied over 1000 days and became an instructor after just two years of skiing 50 days per year. I look forward to your video next year.
Great start to fun winter! I learnt skiing by myself watching very carefully what to do & trying out on baby slope snow ploughing for 3 hours. After that pulled by pommel up junior slopes where I picked up turning using my body weight left&right. Voila..after lunch hot choc I was skiing off elementary slopes all on the 1st day....LOVE SNOWING 💕😍❄️⛷️🏂 SOOOOOOOO VERY FUN
Started skiing when I was 4 years old and it's been great ever since. Managed to win races and have fun! Don't worry it gets easy after lots of practice! You're already on the right track!!
im 12 years old, from the Uk next week im going on a school ski trip to boi taul spain on november the 1st 2023 I went ski training, first of all the boots, YOU CANT EVEN WALK PROPERLY WITH THOSE THINGS ON + NO ANKLE ROTATION MAKING MY ANKLES AT THE END HURT LIKE CRAZYYYY!!! but it was all worth it, i fell a few times but i managed having a lot of fun at the training cant wait for the 13th of the december where i go to my real ski trip on real snow, wish me luck guys bye!
Alex, I enjoyed your video.... I specialize in beginners, and cannot help but kibbutz a little. I would have liked to see you address the pants issue. I know it's not sexy or funny, but so important to your comfort and even leg health. The only thing inside your boot should be your foot, leg and one very smooth sock. Anything with a seam after a day of skiing will leave a dent and after a week will leave a bruise.... and always uncomfortable. The main reason he switched you to bibs was the elasticized inner lining, you don't see, but is so important. Many beginners don't get this, but that elastic hem should be put outside the top of your boot, with the top buckle under the elastic hem. This helps keep your foot dry and the snow OUT of your boot. I liked that he emphasized the purpose of the gloves, more than warmth, was for protection of your hands. Hurray for that. I loved that you used the scooter idea and learned to side step up the hill .... kudos for that, too. Now, here's another tip for advancing quickly. He taught you to keep your upper body quiet, and that's great. I wish he had emphasized more for you to keep your lower leg pressed against the front of your boot, and keep your body knees to shoulders kind of like you are just walking down the street. It keeps you from looking like an 80 year old man with spina bifida. And it keeps you balanced front to back. He had you go without poles the first time and that's a very good thing. We learn our balance a lot faster if we go without poles. Likewise, until you learn to use them properly they are more like WEAPONS than tools. He had you pressure your outside ski to turn.... that's okay, but as a beginner I would have told you to try to keep your ski flat with the hill as much as you can and your feet as close to under your shoulders as possible when moving down the slope and keep your knees over your toes... Evidently he must have told you that as you did a pretty good job of doing that as you were moving. One thing I tell my students is that falling is not always a bad thing. It is much preferred over running into another person, their equipment or a tree... or off a cliff.... so, if your wedge isn't working to stop you, just give yourself a big hug and sit to the side of your skis. Then you can just scoot around to where your skis are below you on the hill and take off the ski closest to your butt. then get up on your other ski. Put the other ski between your feet and put it on.... hopefully, you are pointed ACROSS the hill as you are doing this. So much more control that way.But turning is really, just a matter of pointing your flat ski where you want to go and looking that way.... at first, you want that arrow shape you make with your skis, wedge, to point down hill.... if you want to use it to go UPHILL, just open up the front of the skis as you face up hill, and duck walk from one ski to the other.. that's called herringbone... It's probably one of the other ways he taught you to go uphill. But, remember the arrow your skis make always, ALWAYS points downhill. (Unless, of course, you want to learn Chinese splits really fast.... and this is skiing after all not gymnastics.) Okay.... I did enjoy your video, though, quite the gentleman on the slopes. Thank you.
So much fun and joy ! You did a great job for the first time believe me ! We, as shorter girls, have the huge advantage to be closer to the ground, so, much stable….But still 🙂. I enjoyed so much watching, love the mountains and the snow; we are preparing for a Winter storm here on the US east coast and I can t wait to go skiing again. Enjoy this time, it is rewarding, joyful, and very fun ! Thank you for sharing those moments with us
As a ski instructor myself it was fun to watch. You could be better with a good instructor who does not rush you. This winter is far not over. You can even ski on plastic too and learning this amazing sport is more than enough because even advanced techniques can be learned.
Not me thinking he’s doing so well for just two hours and then he says he thinks he looks bad. As a long time skier you made so much incredible improvement in such a small amount of time. I’m glad you got that feeling all skiers live for
I am 46 years old and I am taking lessons to learn to ski... at the biginning the feeling was the same... horrible... seeing everyone around me skiing and me... falling down. It is not easy, especially if you are not so young... like me... BUT I am improving and maybe next year I will enjoy the sensation of freedom 💪
I had my first lesson at 57 in Australia ⛷️⛷️ Many people who live in the northern hemisphere probably don’t know that we have a snow season in Australia.
I’m impressed, I’ve been skiing all of my life and I think you picked it up incredibly fast! I’m surprised to see that they employ T-Bars there, haven’t seen them at ski resorts in the US since I was a kid in the 80’s and 90’s.
When i started skiing 2 years ago I had the same experience as you. I am happy to say that now I can confidently parallel ski on a blue slope (i live in the states) and now im trying to ski parallel on a black.
discovered your channel last month. I've really been enjoying your content! Very chill vibes. Clicked on this video because I've been a skier since I was very young. Taught my girlfriend how to ski last year, you both did awesome!
Just have fun and get better so we can ski or board with you from the top of the mountain all the way down. Skiing is all about how much fun you make it. Have fun. Don't care what anyone else thinks. You'll be good.
Don't give up! Every ski champion started the same way. Once you gain more control of your movements you will feel like you are soaring! Only flying a glider can match that feeling.
I’ve got one of those shopping bags you put your boots in 💪😂😂😂 Another cool video bro! Done well mate! Another few days out there and you’ll be blasting down the slopes ⛷ Have the best Christmas yet bro ✌️
i just discovered your channel and all i have to say you did amazing for just 2 lessons! don’t give up, i hope you’ll keep getting lessons and i’m sure you’ll get better overtime. keep in mind that a lot of people go into this sport at a young age and just the fact that you tried it right now is very cool because it’s a bit harder for taller people (I am a tall person myself) to find their balance and coordination.
i remember when i went skiing in kitzbuhel on a school trip for a week, and in that week our instructor managed to get us from simply being bunny slopers being outclassed by 8 year olds in ski school, to dominating black slopes; and when i learnt parallel skiing on the red slopes there, my life changed immediately.
Once you get about halfway through a turn, try lifting your uphill ski and turning it to be parallel to the downhill ski. Otherwise the uphill ski drags, and you will pick up speed while turning on steeper runs.
Love it! I need to teach my wife to ski next week, so this is an amazing video for me to see how to start and for her to see what it would realistically look like skiing down a mountain for the first time. Thanks man! Also love your videos, such a mellow and homey vibe all the time. Keep it up!
Everything you saw here was completely and totally WRONG! The teaching and the results! Do your wife and yourself a Big favor! Both of you Read my comments at my video and you will understand what real skiing is. I'm serious! Ski Teaching worldwide is in the dark ages. Snowplow and Stem turns on Shaped Skis?
Don't wait till next winter. There is real snow slopes that are open all year round in the UK. and Dry ski slopes which is a plastic surface. Keep going it will make your trips away even better!
Thanks Alex. You reminded me of the time I tried skiing and how much fun I had. Even the part where I came down the hill at breakneck speed and full-body slammed into the rental shop! Such fond memories. 🤣🤣🤣
Now that I've seen your video, I don't feel so embarrassed. I had the same experience last week during my first lesson. I can't wait to see your progress in hopes that I do better as well.
This video is a year old and I went skiing for the first time 5 months ago and I felt so stupid because I kept falling and couldnt get back up, it was quite frustrating. After trying something new and a lot of help I was able to do a huge hill with ease also a tip for begginers is to not worry too much about the poles, after I ditched the poles for some fun it was a lot easier, tips: The wider you do the "pizza" the easier it will be to slow down you will learn on your own to change directions and it will come easier for some.
Remember: No skier, even the best of the best, has never fallen on the slopes. The best mindset to get into skiing is to be confident, accept that you'll fall, and forgive yourself for failing. As an avid skier I can say you did incredible for your first time!
Hi alex. I did my first lesson today in just 1 hr and i hope to learn more. I started today after felt jealous when i was in switzerland few days ago as i watch the people enjoying while i cant so i felt motivated.
Hey man, I know this comments coming in kinda late. Just wanted to let you know never feel bad about learning! The comment you made about wanting to apologize to the other skiers reminded me of myself when I was learning as a kid. Once you spend more time out there & meet the people on the hill, you'll come to realize most of them are incredibly inviting & want nothing more than to motivate you and see you improve! Keep rippin man!
Every new skier feels so awkward and think they look stupid but literally everyone starts like that.
Unless you started as a kid. Kids don't mind falling and being awkward.
when i was a kid, my dad directly helped me and i never actually falled prob twice a day but not more, after 7 years i’ve retryed skiing its so hard since i dont do sports anymore😢
I just learnt how to ski a week ago, at first It was awkward with young kids skiing past me, but by the end of the trip none of that mattered and I was having a blast.
@@raytracer5726 yeah, ifs defo best to learn as a kid, cuz then, by the time you would rly be afraid, you already ski rly well
I started skiing when I was 1.5 carved when I was 6 now I’m 12 and 7th best at skiing in Sweden
As a ski instructor myself, this is fun to watch. Most people truly don’t learn that quick
Thanks!
Who is most people? Unathletic people that are scared out of their minds? Everyone I know could pizza down a gentle groomer on their first day.
@@donalddarko4871 is this supposed to be a flex?
@@CoralBlueNumber2Lipstickit’s being more realistic and not sugarcoating things
@@donalddarko4871 exactly just normal progress
I have never heard you say you felt like a fool before. Alex, you have done so many new things. We who watch you would never call you a fool for trying your best with all your endeavours. I watch you because I admire what you are doing with your life. I am 75 now, and if I am lucky I have at least 10 years left. Go for it Alex. Live your best life while you can! 💕🇦🇺
Skiing is incredibly difficult if you are taught the wrong way from the start. Everything that gets programmed into you stays with you always and forever. If Alex continues on this track, he'll end up a mess and that's a shame!
The only fool is the one that doesnt realise EVERYONE who has ever skied started from the bottom.
@@JB91710 I would say skiing is very much intuition and time on snow.
@@donalddarko4871 Time on the snow, yes. Intuitive or instinctive or natural, absolutely not! Skiing it the exact opposite of what you would think to do. Same with a golf swing. Parts or your body need to be controlled and other parts moved in a way that might be completely unnatural. You need to learn what the piece of equipment needs from you to allow it to work as designed. The world's instructors haven't found that out.
TH-cam is getting real comfortable giving me double un skippable ads
@@dog360 try skiing and mountain biking and realize there is better places to put your money
@@dhpug3014 I’m not the one complaining about getting ads
Yeah but that’s re also pushing their limits with double unskippable are
Ik it’s so dumb
@@Joeymga6 agreed
Okay... I am not kidding, but for your first few hours skiing, you did INCREDIBLE. I haven't seen many people who have learned so quickly.
Wow. Happy to hear.
in 3 hours i learnt to turn , jump and go rly fast without doing the pizza stop , this all on my first ever try
@@sugxrrI can guarantee your form was not correct.
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It's everyone's mtn - never apologize - skiers, snowboards, experts and newbies - this is where we all come together. Good luck this year!
I’ve only started skiing this season and have yet to get proper ski lesson. To say I’ve fallen so many damn times is an understatement. I even cried on the beginner slope as a 28 year old. This video is motivating me to learn more. Never give up and never surrender.
Best of luck with it! :)
Take a lesson! I snowboard and I've taken 4 lessons and I'm finally able to go down green runs
@@pyropiper89 i am planning to next winter! I’ve called it quits for skiing this season. 😂
You can do it!
A saying every skier says is: If you don't cry while skiing, your not actually skiing.
So you're all good!😄
As someone who's been skiing for 20 years this was delightful to watch.
Skiing priority works on down hill having priority, skiers up the hill have to accommodate. So don’t worry about getting in the way! Also, for your first go you’re really good, everyone starts looking like Bambi on ice. It’s easier when you’re a kid learning (low center of gravity, no fear, heal quickly, etc), and I was lucky to learn and get pretty masterful as a kid, it takes far more courage as an adult so massive props!
You look about the same as I did when I first started to ski. it took me three days before I felt confident enough to think I was a skier. Don’t give up. And don’t wait too long to go out again. Your confidence builds day by day. I’m 67 and I ski and snowboard. I love the mountains and the snow. Good luck to you.
I live in Colorado, and I love skiing. I’ll admit, I was quite ahead of myself when I first started taking lessons thinking that skiing would be a breeze just because I know how to rollerblade. I was very wrong! Skiing is hard! I found out pretty soon everyone started out the same way: lots of falling and mistakes. It’s important to not give up. Skiing is so rewarding! It’s what I do almost every weekend now.
as a ski instructor myself it brings as huge smile to my face seeing you want to learn to ski! it is much harder to learn the older you get so never too late to start. Loved the video as always Alex keep it up!
This was so amazing watching you learn!! As a ski instructor your instructor and friend did quite a great job teaching you the fundamentals of skiing!! Ditch the poles until you start doing full parallel turns! By getting rid of the poles it will allow you to focus on your turning and stopping:) good job!! Skiing is such a great sport and is a lifetime of fun!!
If you think the instructor did a great job, then you need to learn the right way. Read my comments here!
I went skiing for the first time last week. Heavenly Lake Tahoe. 35 years old. No lessons- trial by fire (or ice). Holy crap when I first went down the hill (blue), I had my skies parallel going straight down. I must have hit 50 miles per hour. I freaked out and tried to do a hockey stop, in which I was somewhat successful. I landed on a snow bank, and fortunately, I went skiing the day after a huge storm, so the powder broke my fall. There was a perfect indentation of me on the snow bank. Took me almost 5 minutes to get back to my feet.
Then I ate it again, and again. But Like Rocky Balboa, I kept at it. No way was I going to give up on my dream of skiing. Finally, I got the hang of breaking and slowing down. But by that time, I was pretty bruised and cramping up.
Now, I'm a pretty big guy- 6'1" 230 lb with size 14 snow boots. I didn't know how hard it was to carve/rotate motion with my skis. I'm working on my weight, flexibility, and my leg strength for next time.
But what a rush. I loved it.
Great video! Loved the scenery and your positive attitude! I have just learned how to ski this Christmas at 40+. It is important to have an instructor, who explains you patiently about basics of skiing and I watched some videos too. At first I thought I will never do it, but by day 3 after practicing a lot on green bunny slopes at my own pace I could feel how fun it is and why people love skiing. I think it is important to understand to turn a lot and control your speed by turning often. When it clicked to me I felt more relaxed and did not tense my body as much, just turned and I felt so free and optimistic. When I finally was brave enough to go on a longer slope, still green one, I felt amazing first third of the ride, then I started to panic and stopped turning as much and fell few times. Then it was important to regain the confidence and not to panic, seeing other learners helped too. I am so proud of myself that in 3 days I made a lot of progress and would love to keep up with my kids on blue slopes next skiing vacation.
Keep on going and have fun.First time on mountains next days I’m so exited, your words motivated me😊
this is so motivational!!! i went skiing as a complete beginner in new zealand just recently and stacked it at the top of the kids conveyor belt on my first day, but at the end of my time there i was able to confidently ski some good runs without falling. it's definitely all about mastering the little skills and putting them all together as you build confidence.
Seriously brought a tear to my eye. I'm heading off to the Dolomites in the Trentino region in northern Italy tomorrow. It'll be the first time skiing in actual mountains again after I snapped my right lower leg while skiing in Austria, 4 long, looong years ago . I am definitely not as good a skier as Phil, but MAN did I miss it. Thanks for reminding me of my own journey to learn to ski as well as I do now, with all the good and the bad things that happened along the way! Even one of the most traumatic injuries I've had to go through in my life won't stop me from getting out there again. It just is that exhilarating to swoop down a mountain, watch the snow covered peaks, magical winter wonderland trees zoom by, hear the crackling of snow under your skis, feel the cold wind in your face. There just is no better feeling for me.
Also a tip: do NOT apologize for being a noob. Do NOT be distracted by better skiers zooming by you. Phil probably has told you about the "laws" of the slopes, which mean that skiers coming up on you from above have to take your noobishness into account and watch out accordingly.
I'm glad I found your channel, love your wholesome content, everything so far has been a very friendly and calming experience.
If there is one thing you shouldn't apologise over is "getting in the way of other skiers" because the understanding is, if you're in from you have the right of way. It's the people behind you who have to account for your place and being. And I don't think there's a single skier who who say that learning and pushing yourself is bad. Everyone loves to see someone improve.
I worked as a ski instructor in the next valley over, Zillertal, for a couple of seasons. It's such a nice area and the people living in these tiny mountain villages are lovely. You did pretty good for a beginner Alex, the last couple of shots you were looking way more relaxed. Once you learn how to let gravity do all the work and stop fighting it you will love it even more!
"Once you learn how to let gravity do all the work and stop fighting it," And yet, 99.99% of the world's instructors don't teach that because they don't understand that!
What I really like about starting skiing is no one judged you if you fall cause every1 remember what starting was like
I'm a Canadian but I learned how to ski for the first time in Schladming, Austria. It was a wonderful experience. So much fun!
Schladming woo 🇦🇹!!!!!
I live a hour away from whistler so no need to travel to ski
I went skiing yesterday effectively for the first time (I took a 1.5 hour lesson last year but the instructor was terrible and I never got off the bunny hill because I couldn’t figure out turning).
I had a much better instructor yesterday who actually took us up the lift and down the green trails (easiest). After the lesson I bought a ticket and went up on my own. I wiped out at least a dozen times if not more trying to perfect the turning process (I wasn’t using the pizza wedge), but every time I picked up speed I psyched myself out and bailed. My left leg also seemed to be slightly weaker, so my right turns were not working out as well as my left turns. There were so many times where I wanted to be done for the day, but each time I said to myself “No. I paid for the lift ticket. I’m getting my money’s worth even if it kills me. I’m going until I can turn right properly.”
I skied from noon to 5pm. Each time I went down the hill I wiped out less and less. Finally, on the last 4-5 times, I finally started getting the muscle coordination down to turn right almost as good as I did left. I could pretty much reliably get a nice wide turn to either side and stop if I wanted to. I could pick up some speed without getting psyched out. The last 4-5 times down the hill I only fell once or twice out of all of them.
I was so proud of myself for persevering because it paid off! I got a decent enough at skiing to the point where I feel like I could go back and not kill myself. I got a long way to go before I can call myself a “good” skier, but I proved to myself that I can do it!
As an ex-ski instructor, you did a great job! Keep at it! The more you ski the better you get.
You did really well. I learned to ski when was maybe 5 and continued to through school. For someone in their mid 20s I'm assuming, it's not easy to just pick up. The fear isn't there when you're a kid, you care way less about falling or being embarrassed, and our bodies are more cautious when we get older. Now 30 I find it nearly impossible to get myself to climb up a tree or dive anymore. Great job and I hope you continue to ski
You did a good job. I started skiing with 40. With 50 I made my skiinstructor just for fun. I do not have the time to teach but as better you are in skiing as more fun it is.
Try to practice each day something even if you are skiing for fun. And ask the instructor always for what the drills are.
Most common mistakes are backseat, not enough pressure on the outside ski and to much rotation in the upper body.
But donˋt forget: Skiing is about fun.
Its so much harder to learn when youre already grown up because you tend to go faster the bigger you are, and you therefore need to break more effectively. Very good look there on day 2! Keep it up, I'd like to watch you learn some more
10:58 You shouldn’t apologise. People will move out the way for you. Plus you are the best type of beginner. Those who get ski instructors I will always respect or at least have someone else who is experienced helping because those who try and learn on their own are dangerous to themselves and others. I’ve seen way to many incidents where beginners are out of control and crash into others. You look in control and hopefully you continue to enjoy the sport!!
People who take ski lessons are in just as much trouble as those who don't. Ski teaching is still in the dark ages before shaped skis arrived. Snowplow and Stem turns are the worst things a person can be taught. I could have made a person like him into a competent parallel skier in a couple of hours. Right now, he has been ruined by the teaching he received. That mess you saw was his instructor's fault not Alex's.
Yes I agree. My friend did one ski lesson then came skiing with me and was doing parallel very quickly. Most of it is money related, the like for them to keep coming back to lessons than allow them to progress quickly. Whereas I want my friend to progress quickly so they can ski with me
@@JB91710 to be fair it’s much easier for a beginner who has never been on skis before to learn pizza. Parallel skiing requires a lot of muscles that newbies definitely don’t use, and it’s also much more technical. As someone who was in ski school from 4-15 at Alta in Utah, they started me with pizza and over time turned those into parallel turns and now I tour in Alaska with my uncles. I would say it all depends on the athletic ability and power of the skier, a weak skier will not be comfortable enough committing to full parallel turns as I’m sure you know it requires the full body.
@@ncdozer3103 My 54 years of teaching and thinking tell me you have that backwards. Watch my video to see how little effort is involved. All you need to do is practice sliding and then balancing on one ski in a traverse, then turning into the hill to stop and then change your weight and balance to the uphill ski and that ski will make the new turn.
@@JB91710 for an athletic person it’s little effort, for those that have terrible balance and can hardly get their skis on while on a mild incline it is certainly not.
I felt the same at the times when I tried to learn to snowboard. Unfortunately what I discovered is that I am an idiot and get too confident too quickly and then do something stupid and on both occasions I tore cartilage in my knee (left one first and right one second). I concluded that I am not suited to it, even though I enjoyed it at the time! Doesn't help I couldn't afford to do it regularly enough to get any better, but being out on the snow is always awesome. Good efforts Alex, I also tried skiing and you were waaaaay better than me! And no need to apologise for getting in anyone's way as everyone was a learner at some point.
Good story bro
As a person who has been skiing since I was 5 this is so nostalgic to watch and reminds me of old times 😭thank you
i remember my first day skiing... and watching this really reminded me how hard it really was...
you've done well, everything your basic instincts tell you to do (leaning backwards, leaning into a turn...etc) backfires in skiing and you have re-program your legs and balance!
don't worry about looking like a fool, this is what all learners look like (sometimes better but sometimes worse xD)... and don't worry about these other skiers, they're used to having beginners on the slopes and having to go around them... and they can always go up to the harder slopes if they really can't stand beginners! These guys skiing backwards and flying all over the place are usually the locals, they've been skiing since they were kids... it's unfair to compare yourself to them
and yes, the views are ALWAYS amazing, the fresh air and scenery... to me, skiing is also a retreat and a stepping away from the world... it's so good for the soul!
As a skier myself, you are incredibly fast learner You were amazing! when I was new, I used to struggle, but I kept on going and now I’m really good at skiing! Don’t give up!❤
I was an instructor for a while. One gentleman who claimed to have never put skis on before managed basic parrallel turns within the hour that I was teaching him. I was stunned but that was definitely a huge exception. Even my wife took two full days to get where you were at the end with me all to herself. You definitely didn't do badly at all!
I m from Thailand, I was a decent iceskater when i was a teenager, but had never ski before and haven't been skating for 15 years.
I' m 45 and my story is I started to ski when i was around 36 year olds by just watching some good beginner videos on youtube and went back to ice skating ring in Bangkok to regain my skating memories for a couple of days before I went to Hakuba, Japan for my first time on slopes.
Amazingly I could transfer all my ice skate skills to ski first time off, it was like the basics are the same to iceskate just you have to be careful with the ski because they re a bit longer and within 10 minutes I went up the chair lift and ski down beginner slope and yes I could do it! first time ski at 36 years old of age without any ski instructor.
I haven't been skiing for many years but this has reminded me how much I love it, don't apologise for being a beginner Alex, everyone flying past you was a beginner once as well! Another great video
Well done Alex you did really well. I went on a skiing trip to Italy with my school when i was 13 and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ski lift you went on was called a ski drag back then as it literally drags you up the mountain. Sadly I have never been able to afford to go again but it definitely was a great experience.
As someone who has been skiing since they were 4, this video made my day
If you're not falling, you're not learning! Great job Alex!
Actually no! If you are falling it is most likely you are not being taught correctly. Once you have gained your balance and your anxiety level is lower, falling should become less of a problem. To achieve that, you must understand what skiing is and what the skis need from you so they can make the turns for you.
Ski Instructors worldwide focus on Making the skis turn instead of Allowing them to turn. A person's focus should be on their upper body positioning and their weight and balance change from foot to foot, not on their skis. If you thought about the front tires and steering mechanism of the car instead of rotating the steering wheel, your car would never turn.
@@JB91710 If you're not falling you're not pushing yourself. If you want to learn in life you must "fall".
@@tbonius_monk If you are teaching yourself, but not if a good teacher is teaching you. What are you paying them for, their wonderful company?
@@JB91710 No such thing as a teacher in the great game of life my friend. Hence the learning from the falling.
@@tbonius_monk That's actually very true. There are no Real teachers or mentors to guide us. Humans make the same mistakes generation after generation. That's why I made my teaching method as simple as possible, to teach rather than just repeat the same senseless foolishness.
Getting closer and closer to part 2.. also i just wanna say that cabin you were living in is absolutely beautiful!! Hope to see you ski again! ❤ 👍
Alex you really done very well for two sessions. Trying new things is the spice of life !
Skiing just frees your mind and fills the soul. Just taking a second to graze your eyes along the mountain tops...is all it takes
i am a kid and a expert and i went down one the most dteepests hill so keep up the good work alex your doing great
i love how you praictice keep it up
And after 26 years of skiing as an tyrolian i still have the same feeling as you told: i feel sorry for everyone who skies better an i was in theyr way and also i have the feeling that it's amazing to watch skiers dealing really well in conditions in which you feel like a beginner-while the real beginners are far behind me...but getting better will never have an end for every real skier and as tyrolian who can't imagine to train how to go upwards (i learned it in an age i even cant remember) i really respect everyone who tries it - especially if he doesn't think he needs the same boots and skies as an expert, no helmet and never looking what's coming from above while taking/cutting the whole slope thats real dangerous and a beginner will be under high stress like everyone else and it's not pleasant to all
I laughed so much during this!!!! Nice one bro :)
I feel you. You just learn by falling and getting back up. I learned skiing for the first time last month in Austria too!
He wasn’t lying, you learned SUPER quickly.
Well done Alex. I've been watching you and your brother for around 8 years now, and great to see how your channel is developing.
We moved to Sweden last year and I tried skiing for the first time ever yesterday (aged 38!). It's difficult and frustrating and addictive, in equal measure!
This is why im glad i was skiing the other type of skis a long time before I started skiing. Ive been in the slopes 6 times and im already hitting jumps as tall as me. So i could basicaøly skip everything he has to do now.
My first time skiing was this previous winter. Long story short, I didn't practice enough, I didn't know the routes of the resort, I got pressured by friends, and ended up falling 60-100 times.
It’s OK when fall as long as you can get up again it’s a natural learning process. If you don’t fall, you never get better. I’ve been skiing since I was three years old I still fall sometimes.
watching this one month before I ski for the first time ever at age 25. this is a really encouraging and honest learning journey, thank you for making this ❤
You’ll do fine! :)
I think most people who "fail" to learn skiing or not see the fun in it are those who dislike the adrenaline and are really averse to even the minimal risk taking. I started skiing at age 29 and 2 winters later went down the Black Mamba at Kitzsteinhorn without many issues and didn't fall the whole way down. That aversion to risk taking shows why there is no child who can't learn skiing, they all learn so fast, because they are free of that fear that paralyzes so many adults. It's actually only fear that prevents people from skiing and not an actual lack of ability, well at least for blue slopes.
Like the first time you actually carve down the slope and pick up the pace while feeling in control is something that can't be described. Can't wait for this winter to come.
Perfectly respectable effort! The locals at these resorts were practically born with skis on their feet and have a lot more time to hone their skills, so they make it look easy. It's pretty alien to us Brits.
for me as a norwegian guy who ahs skied my whole life its kinda crazy to see an person who never skied befroe learn it ! keep on!
My 1st week in my life of skiing which was this year I already went down a hard blue slope and nearly learned how to parallel turn XD I think I learned very fast, but Alex! You did do very well! Do not say bad things bout you being bad at skiing. It’s not embarrassing it just means that those other people have been skiing for a long time! And also it’s skiers not ski-people :D enjoy your next skiing season!
The world needs so much more Alex!!~
Awesome Alex. As a mad keen skier, angler and lover of all thing Austria i’m enjoying this content. Stick with skiing - it’ll take you to amazing and beautiful places, the food in the mountain huts is amazing and the apres ski parties are ace.
The thing to remember when learning any new skill (and in particular something like skiing that takes time) is that virtually no one was born with the skill or knowledge. Some people like to create the impression that they have always known (which is a pretty big character flaw), but they didn't, and were in the same spot you are. So never compare yourself as a beginner, to those with experience.
Learning when you are not a kid is very hard. Some of us took too long, I'm talking about four seasons (6 days per season) to slide down through a red slope with confidence and knowing I was not going to kill anyone on my way. But the effort, falls, fatigue and all that stuff are really worth it. And when you think you can't learn anything else, then you unblock something in your head that makes you understand what you were not doing well. Enjoy your own pace, the views, feeling there up in the mountain... the apres ski is important too! Great motivation to wait for the winter.
I tried skiing last week and liked it! Decided to buy my own gear so i won't have to rent all the time. I really wanna be good at it since there's not much to do during winter!
Only been skiing twice and absolutely loved it.
Taking my kids to Bulgaria soon, can't wait as they have never been.
Well done as you are just beginning to learn about how much fun and how beautiful skiing can be. Remember all those people that skied by you or who were skiing backwards started just like you did. They’ve just been fortunate enough to ski many, many days. Personally, I’ve skied over 1000 days and became an instructor after just two years of skiing 50 days per year. I look forward to your video next year.
Great start to fun winter!
I learnt skiing by myself watching very carefully what to do & trying out on baby slope snow ploughing for 3 hours. After that pulled by pommel up junior slopes where I picked up turning using my body weight left&right. Voila..after lunch hot choc I was skiing off elementary slopes all on the 1st day....LOVE SNOWING 💕😍❄️⛷️🏂 SOOOOOOOO VERY FUN
Started skiing when I was 4 years old and it's been great ever since. Managed to win races and have fun! Don't worry it gets easy after lots of practice! You're already on the right track!!
im 12 years old, from the Uk
next week im going on a school ski trip to boi taul spain
on november the 1st 2023 I went ski training, first of all the boots, YOU CANT EVEN WALK PROPERLY WITH THOSE THINGS ON
+ NO ANKLE ROTATION MAKING MY ANKLES AT THE END HURT LIKE CRAZYYYY!!!
but it was all worth it, i fell a few times but i managed having a lot of fun at the training
cant wait for the 13th of the december where i go to my real ski trip on real snow, wish me luck guys
bye!
Alex, I enjoyed your video.... I specialize in beginners, and cannot help but kibbutz a little. I would have liked to see you address the pants issue. I know it's not sexy or funny, but so important to your comfort and even leg health. The only thing inside your boot should be your foot, leg and one very smooth sock. Anything with a seam after a day of skiing will leave a dent and after a week will leave a bruise.... and always uncomfortable. The main reason he switched you to bibs was the elasticized inner lining, you don't see, but is so important. Many beginners don't get this, but that elastic hem should be put outside the top of your boot, with the top buckle under the elastic hem. This helps keep your foot dry and the snow OUT of your boot. I liked that he emphasized the purpose of the gloves, more than warmth, was for protection of your hands. Hurray for that. I loved that you used the scooter idea and learned to side step up the hill .... kudos for that, too. Now, here's another tip for advancing quickly. He taught you to keep your upper body quiet, and that's great. I wish he had emphasized more for you to keep your lower leg pressed against the front of your boot, and keep your body knees to shoulders kind of like you are just walking down the street. It keeps you from looking like an 80 year old man with spina bifida. And it keeps you balanced front to back. He had you go without poles the first time and that's a very good thing. We learn our balance a lot faster if we go without poles. Likewise, until you learn to use them properly they are more like WEAPONS than tools. He had you pressure your outside ski to turn.... that's okay, but as a beginner I would have told you to try to keep your ski flat with the hill as much as you can and your feet as close to under your shoulders as possible when moving down the slope and keep your knees over your toes... Evidently he must have told you that as you did a pretty good job of doing that as you were moving. One thing I tell my students is that falling is not always a bad thing. It is much preferred over running into another person, their equipment or a tree... or off a cliff.... so, if your wedge isn't working to stop you, just give yourself a big hug and sit to the side of your skis. Then you can just scoot around to where your skis are below you on the hill and take off the ski closest to your butt. then get up on your other ski. Put the other ski between your feet and put it on.... hopefully, you are pointed ACROSS the hill as you are doing this. So much more control that way.But turning is really, just a matter of pointing your flat ski where you want to go and looking that way.... at first, you want that arrow shape you make with your skis, wedge, to point down hill.... if you want to use it to go UPHILL, just open up the front of the skis as you face up hill, and duck walk from one ski to the other.. that's called herringbone... It's probably one of the other ways he taught you to go uphill. But, remember the arrow your skis make always, ALWAYS points downhill. (Unless, of course, you want to learn Chinese splits really fast.... and this is skiing after all not gymnastics.) Okay.... I did enjoy your video, though, quite the gentleman on the slopes. Thank you.
So much fun and joy ! You did a great job for the first time believe me ! We, as shorter girls, have the huge advantage to be closer to the ground, so, much stable….But still 🙂. I enjoyed so much watching, love the mountains and the snow; we are preparing for a Winter storm here on the US east coast and I can t wait to go skiing again. Enjoy this time, it is rewarding, joyful, and very fun ! Thank you for sharing those moments with us
As a ski instructor myself it was fun to watch. You could be better with a good instructor who does not rush you. This winter is far not over. You can even ski on plastic too and learning this amazing sport is more than enough because even advanced techniques can be learned.
Man I remember my firsts days at skiing, I was terrified but somehow now I´m addicted to it
Awesome, you did great! Can’t wait to see you do some more skiing. It’s an unbelievable activity that you’ll enjoy more and more as you progress.
Not me thinking he’s doing so well for just two hours and then he says he thinks he looks bad. As a long time skier you made so much incredible improvement in such a small amount of time. I’m glad you got that feeling all skiers live for
I am 46 years old and I am taking lessons to learn to ski... at the biginning the feeling was the same... horrible... seeing everyone around me skiing and me... falling down. It is not easy, especially if you are not so young... like me... BUT I am improving and maybe next year I will enjoy the sensation of freedom 💪
i had my lesson at 50 ;)
I at 3 lol😊
I had my first lesson at 57 in Australia ⛷️⛷️ Many people who live in the northern hemisphere probably don’t know that we have a snow season in Australia.
I am actually in the mountains of Austria skiing right now. It is such a cool and fun hobby if you get into it.
Went skiing in Finland.....like u I have to do it again....nothing quite like flying down a snow covered mountainside ..... you did good Alex....
GL mate, i am 33 and learning now ! Dont give up ! Cheers
I’m impressed, I’ve been skiing all of my life and I think you picked it up incredibly fast! I’m surprised to see that they employ T-Bars there, haven’t seen them at ski resorts in the US since I was a kid in the 80’s and 90’s.
T-Bars are commonly used for smaller places or shorter tracks where it would not be profitable to build a chair lift
Well done!Iwas a skiing instructor too and youve a good teacher!! Enjoy,itsthe best Thing to do in Winter😊⛄
When i started skiing 2 years ago I had the same experience as you. I am happy to say that now I can confidently parallel ski on a blue slope (i live in the states) and now im trying to ski parallel on a black.
skied my second day yesterday with no prior experience and successfully did a blue without falling!
discovered your channel last month. I've really been enjoying your content! Very chill vibes. Clicked on this video because I've been a skier since I was very young. Taught my girlfriend how to ski last year, you both did awesome!
Thanks Scotty! :)
Amazing video! Watched this with a big smile! Skiing and snowboarding is the best thing ever
Just have fun and get better so we can ski or board with you from the top of the mountain all the way down. Skiing is all about how much fun you make it. Have fun. Don't care what anyone else thinks. You'll be good.
Don't give up! Every ski champion started the same way. Once you gain more control of your movements you will feel like you are soaring! Only flying a glider can match that feeling.
I wish i could learn it from scratch again I had so much fun
I’ve got one of those shopping bags you put your boots in 💪😂😂😂 Another cool video bro! Done well mate! Another few days out there and you’ll be blasting down the slopes ⛷ Have the best Christmas yet bro ✌️
i just discovered your channel and all i have to say you did amazing for just 2 lessons! don’t give up, i hope you’ll keep getting lessons and i’m sure you’ll get better overtime. keep in mind that a lot of people go into this sport at a young age and just the fact that you tried it right now is very cool because it’s a bit harder for taller people (I am a tall person myself) to find their balance and coordination.
Outstanding young lad!⛷Thanks for sharing. Possibly your encouraging video might have me to try skiing. Cheers!
i remember when i went skiing in kitzbuhel on a school trip for a week, and in that week our instructor managed to get us from simply being bunny slopers being outclassed by 8 year olds in ski school, to dominating black slopes; and when i learnt parallel skiing on the red slopes there, my life changed immediately.
I had the biggest smile on my face watching this. Looks like you had a lot of fun mate
Once you get about halfway through a turn, try lifting your uphill ski and turning it to be parallel to the downhill ski. Otherwise the uphill ski drags, and you will pick up speed while turning on steeper runs.
I will try skiing for the first time this new year too! Wish I will be a fast learner.
Love it, glad you got some proper snow for skiing.
Love it! I need to teach my wife to ski next week, so this is an amazing video for me to see how to start and for her to see what it would realistically look like skiing down a mountain for the first time. Thanks man! Also love your videos, such a mellow and homey vibe all the time. Keep it up!
Everything you saw here was completely and totally WRONG! The teaching and the results! Do your wife and yourself a Big favor! Both of you Read my comments at my video and you will understand what real skiing is. I'm serious! Ski Teaching worldwide is in the dark ages. Snowplow and Stem turns on Shaped Skis?
Don't wait till next winter. There is real snow slopes that are open all year round in the UK. and Dry ski slopes which is a plastic surface. Keep going it will make your trips away even better!
Thanks Alex. You reminded me of the time I tried skiing and how much fun I had. Even the part where I came down the hill at breakneck speed and full-body slammed into the rental shop! Such fond memories. 🤣🤣🤣
😂 into the rental shop ouch!!!
Now that I've seen your video, I don't feel so embarrassed. I had the same experience last week during my first lesson. I can't wait to see your progress in hopes that I do better as well.
This video is a year old and I went skiing for the first time 5 months ago and I felt so stupid because I kept falling and couldnt get back up, it was quite frustrating. After trying something new and a lot of help I was able to do a huge hill with ease also a tip for begginers is to not worry too much about the poles, after I ditched the poles for some fun it was a lot easier, tips: The wider you do the "pizza" the easier it will be to slow down you will learn on your own to change directions and it will come easier for some.
Remember: No skier, even the best of the best, has never fallen on the slopes. The best mindset to get into skiing is to be confident, accept that you'll fall, and forgive yourself for failing. As an avid skier I can say you did incredible for your first time!
Hi alex. I did my first lesson today in just 1 hr and i hope to learn more. I started today after felt jealous when i was in switzerland few days ago as i watch the people enjoying while i cant so i felt motivated.
Hey man, I know this comments coming in kinda late. Just wanted to let you know never feel bad about learning! The comment you made about wanting to apologize to the other skiers reminded me of myself when I was learning as a kid. Once you spend more time out there & meet the people on the hill, you'll come to realize most of them are incredibly inviting & want nothing more than to motivate you and see you improve! Keep rippin man!
I went to Romania and came home yesterday it was so fun and for me it’s easy but if you want to do snowboarding it takes forever and more dangerous
It's never foolish to be a beginner of a new skill !! You did great, don't worry about it !!
All good Alex another new experience!!!! 👍🏼