Tips for Beginners Learning How to Ski

How to Ski, Where to Ski, Learn to Ski, and Skiing Tips

Austria, Salzburg, Zauchnsee, Boy on the slope
Paul Biris / Getty Images
by Mike Doyle
Mike Doyle is an award-winning skiing journalist who grew up in New York snow country and has skied all over the world.
Updated May 24, 2019

Do you want to know what's involved in learning how to downhill ski? Here's an overview of the main elements, including step-by-step information on what you should know about how to snow ski before you get started and as you progress on the ski slopes.

Get Ready to Ski
Before you actually learn how to ski, you need to get ready to go skiing. Here's everything you need to know about renting or buying ski equipment, getting the clothing and gear you need, selecting a ski resort, and planning a ski vacation.

How to Pick a Ski Area
Are you going skiing for the first time? Before you head to the ski slopes, it's important to pick a ski area or ski resort that will coordinate all the logistics, from providing expert instruction to getting your lift ticket and rental equipment.

What to Wear Skiing
If you aren't sure what to wear skiing, it's best to start with the basics and then move on to the accessories. Here's a guide for what to wear, and you can use it as a checklist when you begin to assemble your ski wardrobe.

Where to Get a Ski Lift Ticket
Before you go skiing, you will need a lift ticket. A lift ticket provides you with access to the mountain and the ski lifts.

Get Ski Lessons
The most important step in learning how to ski is choosing a ski lesson program that is compatible with your skills and abilities.

Skiing Tips
Skiing tips and techniques to help you get started on the ski slopes if you're a beginner, and to refine your technique if you're a more experienced skier.

Learn to Ski Videos
Need help learning to ski? These free skiing instruction videos will help you with get started with the essential basics, like getting on and off a ski lift or a magic carpet, how to do a gliding wedge and how to make a straight run.

How to Become an Advanced Skier
For many years the only classification system for skiers included Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert. However, a more refined system of assessing skill levels has evolved that gives ski school staff a better way of grouping skiers of equal skills.