It may not feel like it after a scorching summer and a warm fall, but ski and snowboard season is right around the corner.
Whether you’re a downhill newbie or a veteran shredder, Hidden Valley instructor Bryan Lester will make sure you’re ready when the temps start plummeting.
With nearly 40 years of skiing and snowboarding experience and a Level 1 snowboard instruction certification, Lester knows what it takes to find success on the slopes.
Read on for his practical tips on gear, technique, and safety to get you primed for the season ahead.
What’s the biggest mistake that new skiers and snowboarders make?
Not taking a lesson. People often think they can do it on their own — they can watch YouTube videos and figure it out — but having someone properly teach you is best.
As instructors, if you give us 90 minutes of total focus and an open mind, we can get you feeling confident. You’re not going to go from the bunny hill to a black diamond in one lesson, but you’ll know how to safely get down the hill.
Any other common blunders?
A lot of times, we see people come out without the proper attire. They’re wearing cotton gloves, jeans, and no helmet. You need a good pair of waterproof and insulated gloves, warm socks, and a waterproof and windproof jacket.
Also, a properly fitted helmet — which you can rent — will go a long way in terms of safety.
But I can’t emphasize enough: It’s so important to dress right. If you’re dressed right, you can be outside for the entire day. If you’re not dressed right, you’re going to get miserable fast.
Do you recommend a helmet for both skiing and snowboarding?
Yes. It’s very different from when I started skiing in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Back then, nobody wore helmets. Now it’s the opposite. It’s rare to see someone without a helmet, whether skiing or snowboarding.
A helmet protects you when you wipe out, but it also protects against somebody running into you — which is what we see more often.
So if you’re skiing and somebody takes your feet out from under you, the fear is that you’ll fall on your head. If you’re wearing a helmet, you’re protected.
What’s the biggest error you see in terms of form?
With beginning skiers, a lot of times we see them leaning back because it feels safer. But you really want to be centered over your skis. That’ll give you the most control.
Also, keep your eyes up. Don’t watch your skis. Watch where you want to go. More often than not, your skis will follow.
What about snowboarders?
It’s similar. With snowboarders, the biggest mistake we often see is leaning back on the tail of the board instead of putting a little more pressure on the nose.
Another mistake is standing up too tall and not really keeping your center of mass over your board. If someone took a class, these are the types of things they would learn. But leaning back is one of the biggest mistakes people make.
Any other blunders that people should avoid?
Some people, especially first-timers, just aren’t aware of what’s going on. When you’re on the mountain, you always want to be in control.
You have to be able to stop. You have to be able to avoid certain things. And you have to understand that people ahead of you have the right of way.
Hidden Valley can get very busy, especially on a Martin Luther King weekend or a President’s Day weekend. You have to understand what’s going on around you.
When the run is closed, stay off the run. Listen to the safety group, the guys in the red coats. They’re the ones in charge, so make sure to obey their instructions.
If someone is brand-new to skiing or snowboarding but eager to get into it, what are the first three things they should do? Is the first step to take a class?
Yes. First, take a class. Have an open mind and don’t get discouraged. The learning curve with skiing and snowboarding is fairly steep, but the more you can actually get out there and try it, the quicker you can master it.
Second, get the right gear. Good socks, good gloves, good jacket. Third, think about going with a friend or a group. You’ll start enjoying it more and more, and the next thing you know, you’re taking trips with friends or family members. That’s when you really get to start enjoying it — seeing different mountains, different terrain, different areas.
The other part is making sure you stay within your comfort zone when it comes to safety. We have a saying at Hidden Valley’s ski and ride school: “Safety plus fun equals learning.”
If you’re not safe, you increase the possibility of getting injured. If that happens, the day is over. But if you can be safe and have a fun experience out on the hill, then you’ll learn. You’ll pick things up and get better.
OK, hypothetical: You’re skiing way too fast down the mountain, and you don’t know how to slow down. What do you do?
First, try the wedge stop, sometimes called the pizza or snowplow. That’s where you bring the tips of your skis together and push the tails apart. This creates resistance and slows you down.
If you still need to reduce speed, make a controlled turn across the slope or slightly uphill to decrease your momentum. If all else fails, drop down on your bottom and try to stop.
What you don’t want is to be a runaway skier. You could hurt yourself or somebody else.
Let’s say someone is a good skier or snowboarder. How do they go from good to great?
Put more miles underneath you. That’s the best thing you can do. If you’re moving from beginner to intermediate, it’s more about getting better at stopping and shifting your weight to improve your edge control in and out of turns.
Once you get more advanced than that, it’s about moving into tougher terrain. As the slope gets more aggressive, you have to be more aggressive as well if you’re going to advance.
What about someone who wants to make the jump from skiing to snowboarding, or vice versa? Any tips?
Having a lesson is the best way to go. Typically, if you understand the dynamics of edge control, the transition between skiing and snowboarding is OK. They have similar fundamentals.
Got any insider advice for navigating Hidden Valley?
Don’t listen to the people who say it’s always icy. Yes, it has ice, but so does every hill.
Also, buy passes and lift tickets online ahead of time to avoid the lines. We open at 9 a.m. on weekends. If you get there early, you can find good parking, get through the lift line, and get out on the mountain quickly.
Finally, check the webcam on the Hidden Valley website before you head out to see if the snow blowers are on, then dress accordingly. If the snow blowers are on, it will feel colder, so bundle up.
Any other insider tips?
Look for promotions. Last year, we had College Night and Local Night. Those are cool events that can help reduce the price of lift tickets and rentals.
Lastly, what’s up with the beef between skiers and snowboarders?
[Laughs] It’s more of a playful rivalry these days. It’s not as bad as it used to be. And it’s not really an issue at Hidden Valley. Everyone’s just out here having a good time.
Hidden Valley is scheduled to open for the season in December. For more information, visit hiddenvalleyski.com.