How to Ski: A Beginner's Guide to Your First Day

By Justin McKelvey · Updated November 5, 2026

Before you go: what to book

• A lesson. A group or private beginner lesson is the fastest way to learn and keeps you on terrain that matches your level. Many resorts sell "first-timer" packages that bundle a lesson, rentals, and a beginner-area lift ticket.
• Rentals. Rent skis, boots, poles, and a helmet at the resort or a shop in town. See rent or buy ski gear for why renting makes sense at first.
• The right clothes. Waterproof jacket and pants, layers underneath, gloves, and goggles. Here's what to wear skiing.

Step 1: Get comfortable in boots and skis

Ski boots feel stiff and awkward on purpose; they transfer your movements to the skis. Buckle them snug but not painful, with your heel locked down. On flat snow, practice stepping into your bindings (toe first, then press the heel down), shuffling forward, and side-stepping uphill with your skis across the slope.

Step 2: The athletic stance

Stand with your feet hip-width apart, ankles and knees slightly bent, and your shins pressed lightly into the front of your boots. Keep your hands forward where you can see them. Leaning back is the most common beginner mistake: it makes the skis run away from you. If you feel out of control, think "shins forward."

Step 3: The wedge (pizza) to control speed

Point your ski tips together and push your heels apart to make a wedge shape. A wider wedge slows you down; a narrow one lets you glide. Practice on a gentle slope until you can come to a full stop on demand. This is your brake, and it's what makes everything else safe.

Step 4: Wedge turns

To turn, keep the wedge and gently press more weight onto one ski. Press on the right ski to turn left, and on the left ski to turn right. Link turns back and forth across the slope to control your speed instead of pointing straight downhill.

Step 5: Falling and getting up

Everyone falls. Sit down to the side rather than backward, and keep your skis across the slope (perpendicular to the fall line) before you stand up so they don't slide. Push up with your hands or poles from the uphill side.

Step 6: Riding the chairlift

Watch a few groups load first. Hold your poles in one hand, look back for the chair, and sit when it reaches you. Lower the safety bar once you're seated. To unload, raise the bar near the top, keep your tips up, stand when your skis touch the ramp, and glide away from the chair.

Step 7: Parallel skiing (day two and beyond)

As you get comfortable, let your wedge get narrower at the end of each turn until your skis match up side by side. That's the start of parallel skiing, which is easier on your legs and opens up blue runs.

Pick a good day and a good mountain

For your first days, soft, groomed snow is easier than ice. A day or two after a storm, when the resort has groomed fresh snow, is ideal. Check where it's snowing this week and look for a resort with a dedicated beginner area and a slow beginner lift. Very deep powder days are fun later, but harder when you're learning.

The skier responsibility code, in brief

• Always stay in control and able to stop or avoid people.
• People ahead of you have the right of way.
• Stop where you're visible from above, not below a ridge or in a narrow spot.
• Look uphill and yield when starting downhill or merging.
• Observe signs and stay off closed trails.