As Alta ski instructors, we would like to share our passion for skiing with you and help you prepare for your first days on skis. We’ll have fun together, you’ll learn to control your skis and before you know it you will experience the freedom to explore Alta. A freedom and experience unlike any other.
Get Ready!
Your first day or two skiing can be physically challenging and fatiguing due to muscle tension and nervousness about control.
A most amazing thing happens around day three of learning to ski. You relax, the physical effort diminishes dramatically and the fun factor skyrockets.
Some physical preparation increasing your stamina and coordination will allow you to progress more quickly into the super fun zone of skiing.
When we look at photos or hear descriptions of the great Alta skiing, we might wonder,
"What does it take?”
Skiing develops your strength, agility and coordination as you learn new skills for gliding on snow. Since we all start at different levels, developing some strength, agility, and coordination before hitting the slopes can make it easier to learn skiing. Going to a gym, working with an experienced physical trainer, learning a summer sport, or taking a dance class encourages you to use your brain and body together. Developing a brain-body connection brings coordination and agility which will make your first experience on skis more enjoyable.
Consider taking “pre-season ski conditioning” or “dry-land” ski training classes that are offered for ski-specific conditioning in the late summer or fall. These types of programs are often available through community rec centers, private gyms and higher education facilities. Being “in shape” and working on coordination can help make your experience more fun and learning to ski easier.
Get Set!!
Preparing yourself and your gear ahead of time will make your skiing experience and lesson go smoothly.
“What gear do I need to go skiing?”
The right clothing and gear will make skiing much more enjoyable. In this day and age there is no bad weather, just bad gear. Ski-specific clothing will help you learn to ski more quickly, will be more comfortable and look great too.
The weather at Alta can vary greatly during the winter season. It might be quite cold, snowing and windy or it can be warm, calm and sunny. Even in January, you might get quite warm learning to ski in sunny conditions. Ski-specific clothing that can be layered for varying weather and temps is the best way to go. Start with wind and waterproof shell ski jacket, pants, helmet, goggles and gloves. Layer underneath with ski-specific wool and synthetic blend socks, long johns and fleece. It’s a mistake to ski in jeans, wool gloves and more than one pair of socks. All will lead to less comfort and distract from learning to ski. If keeping cost down is a factor you might consider visiting one of the consignment ski shops in Salt Lake City that have become popular over the last few years or try one of the Ski “SWAP’s” in the fall. Both offer new and used clothing and gear for discounted pricing. If cost is not so much of a factor for you then please visit one of the many ski-specific shops at Alta or in the Salt Lake Valley.
It might be ok to borrow a ski jacket, pants or gloves from friends or family (not available to borrow at the ski area), but you should not borrow skis or boots. Ski bindings hold the skis to your ski boots and have lateral and vertical “release” functions that should be professionally adjusted for your weight, boot size and skill level. Borrowed equipment can create difficulties as the gear may not be modern, may not be adjusted properly for you, and may limit your fun and safety.
Almost all new skiers rent skis, boots and poles to start. You will progress through varying lengths and performance levels of skis in a fairly continuous manner for a season or two. It is a mistake to purchase skis right away as you will either have skis that you progress beyond quickly or the skis will be too reactive and demanding of accuracy in your first days of skiing. We recommend that your first equipment purchase, after a few days of skiing, be a perfect fitting, comfortable and skill-appropriate pair of ski boots. Alta Ski Shops have excellent up-to-date ski equipment to rent for your beginning adventures into skiing.
Let's GO Skiing!!!
Taking a lesson is the best thing you can do to have fun on the slopes. With three or four 2-hour ski lessons and some practice most adults are successfully skiing the “green” easiest ski runs at Alta.
This is a minimal amount of commitment to develop the balance and ski control skills to have the most fun you will ever have!
Being a skier is to experience a joy of movement and play with gravity, speed and rhythm that is nothing short of sensationally amazing.
“We’re finally going skiing…what’s the plan?
Planning and preparation take away much of the stress of learning to ski. Taking a lesson from the Alf Engen Ski School is the best thing you can do to have fun on the slopes. At Alta Ski Area, we have three lesson options for adult beginning skiers.
- The Adult Learn-to-Ski Program with three lessons packaged with rentals and lift tickets at a discounted price.
- A two-hour class lesson offered 1:30–3:30pm on a daily basis.
- Private Lessons (If you are quite athletic and physically fit you might enjoy a faster pace of learning than can be provided in a class setting. On the other hand, if you are tentative and might prefer the undivided attention of a ski pro then a private lesson might be for you.
The night before you ski; gather up your gear (many people have a small duffle bag to transport and store gear).
In the morning, eating a good breakfast goes a long way to improving your ski adventure. Be sure to stay hydrated throughout the day to accommodate exercise and the higher altitude.
Consider using the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Ski Bus to travel to Alta. The UTA Ski Bus, Routes 953 and 994, stop adjacent to Alta’s Albion Day Lodge and Albion Ski School Building which has a café, ski rental shop, child care, ski school office and is near the meeting location for beginner lessons.
Lesson tickets are available at the ski school office in the Albion Ticket Office.
- Level 1 and 2 lessons include access to the beginner area lifts, Sunnyside and Albion.
- Level 3 lessons require the purchase of a Beginner Area lift ticket
- Level 4 and above require the purchase of an All-Area lift pass.
Rental gear is obtained at the ski shop in the middle level of Albion Day Lodge, just downstairs from the Albion Grill. Get your gear early to avoid the rush. In the ski shop, you will register on a computer terminal and then move on to getting boots, skis and poles.
Kids are excited about skiing from the start; the Alta kid's programs are famous for their fun and learning. Check the Alta website for Kid's Season-Long Programs.