Beacon Watch

boats, safety, sports

Skiing Beginner

7 Rules to Help you Stay Safe in Any Situation

Google “Skiing Safety” and the first several pages worth of results will be virtually nothing but downhill skiing related. On a certain level, this makes sense–after all, there are many inherent dangers of downhill skiing that are unique to the sport. That being said, cross-country skiing still carries its own risks, and it’s important to be aware of them before embarking on a cross-country ski outing. Here are 7 important rules that can help keep you safe!

  • Before heading out, make sure that someone not on the skiing expedition knows where you are going and when you plan on returning.  Should any kind of emergency arise, you’ll be glad you did.
  • If you will be skiing on unmarked trails, it’s important to bring a map, a compass, and possibly other means of ascertaining your location.
  • If you plan on being out for a significant amount of time, it is usually a good idea to bring both food and drinks in order to prevent dehydration and/or low blood sugar.
  • Dress warm!  Remember, it’s always easier to take off a layer than it is to go back home for more!
  • Obey all posted signs, especially those regarding rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. Unless specifically stated otherwise, always assume that frozen bodies of water are unsafe!
  • Stay in groups! Groups of three or more are ideal, that way should one skier encounter an emergency situation an/or injury, he/she will have someone to stay with them while the other goes for help.
  • Be aware of the right of way! Always exercise caution when passing other skiers, especially when on a downhill trajectory.

For more important information on ski safety and ski safety equipment, visit the Beacon Watch website. Stay safe!

Skiing: How to Get Started

For a lucky few, skiing is a sport that they have enjoyed since early childhood.  For those lifelong skiers, many of the skiing basics come as second nature, and the practical and logistical elements of skiing seem like common sense.  For many, however, skiing is a sport that is picked up later in life.  Because of that, there are lots of adults who are still learning the basics.  This article will cover a few of those bases and offer some practical advice for people who wish to begin skiing.  A healthy and fulfilling hobby awaits you!

#1. Invest in Lessons

In many sports (baseball, basketball, football, etc.) our first experience of that sport tends to be with our families or with our childhood friends.  We “learn by doing,” and lessons are generally pursued later by those who are very serious about their game.  In skiing, this is not the case.  A few skiing lessons will do you an enormous amount of good in terms of teaching you how to truly enjoy the sport in a manner that is both fun and safe.

#2. Purchase clothes, rent gear.

Unless you are absolutely certain that you intend to ski frequently from the very start, it is highly recommendable that you rent rather than buy your gear.  Not only will this give you time to make sure that skiing is the sport for you, it will also give you time to learn about how equipment works so that you can be certain what you want to buy.  That being said, don’t skimp on buying a few basic clothing items!  That includes snow pants, a water-resistant underlayer, a mask, goggles, a hat, and gloves.  This will make your skiing experience infinitely more comfortable, plus it’s just a good idea to own most of those items anyway!

#3. Have fun!

Last but not least, be sure to enjoy every second of your new hobby!  If you are brand new to skiing, you may have to start out on a “bunny slope” which will seem very small–but with hard work and dedication you’ll get to move up to the larger hills in no time.

 

Check out the Beacon Watch blog for more information on skiing for people of all levels!