How to Teach Someone to Ski (without falling out)
- Sarah Gilbertson
- Jul 24
- 7 min read
Skiing is often described as freedom on snow. It’s a thrilling experience that combines the beauty of nature with the joy of gliding down a mountain. However, teaching someone to ski can test your patience, confidence, and even your relationship. Be it a partner, a friend, or a child, the mix of fear, frustration, and the common instruction style of “just do what I do” can rapidly turn the outing into a challenging situation.
This guide will help you navigate the practical and human aspects of teaching beginners. If you want to see someone glide happily on the snow without conflict, it's not just about drills. It's about safety, pacing, and understanding what beginners need to learn.
What Is the Best Way to Teach Someone to Ski?
Creating the right conditions for learning is crucial. If your beginner feels rushed, embarrassed, or unsafe, their motivation will drop significantly. In fact, studies show that a supportive environment can boost learning retention by over 30 percent.
Choosing the Right Slope
Start by selecting a wide, gentle slope that is relatively quiet and preferably in the sun. Avoid icy conditions or crowded areas. For example, on a sunny Saturday morning, you may notice a 50 percent increase in beginners on the slopes. It may be the main changeover day in many resorts but also the time many locals choose to ski. Choose quieter times to encourage more focus.
Getting the Equipment Right
Make sure the skiing gear fits comfortably. Ill-fitting boots and cumbersome skis can demoralize even the most enthusiastic novice. Demonstrate that boots should give snug support without pinching, and that skis should feel manageable. Proper equipment enhances the first experience dramatically.
Breaking Down the Learning Process
Introduce elements step by step. Focus on basic skills: standing, sliding, stopping, and turning. Each of these skills may require multiple runs to grasp. Adults, especially, may need up to 20 minutes for each step to fully process what they are learning.
Keeping It Light
A positive environment encourages learning. Enjoy laughter and lighthearted moments; harsh commands can lead to frustration. A supportive tone will create a nurturing atmosphere, fostering a better learning experience.
Any Tips on Teaching an Adult to Ski?
Teaching adults has its own set of challenges. Adults often have self-doubt and past injuries that can hinder their learning. Here are actionable tips:
Remove the Stigma of Learning
Make it clear that everyone starts from scratch. Let them know that it’s normal to feel like Bambi on ice and that it happens to every beginner. Sharing a humorous story of your own initial struggles can ease their anxiety.
Acknowledge and Respect Fear
Don't dismiss their worries by saying "you'll be fine." Validate their feelings. Research indicates that acknowledging fears can reduce anxiety by up to 50 percent, allowing for more effective learning.
Use Simple Language
Utilise clear and relatable terms. For instance, instead of saying “apply pressure to the inside edge”, try “press on your big toe”. When teaching turning, suggest they “let the ski slide sideways a little”. This makes guidance straightforward.
Celebrate Small Achievements
Recognise even the little victories, such as standing up after a fall, reaching the end of a small slope, or just feeling comfortable on skis. This recognition boosts confidence and motivates them to keep progressing.
The Importance of Safety
Safety is paramount when teaching skiing. Ensure you and your student wear appropriate gear, including helmets. Familiarise them with crucial safety rules, like yielding to those below and being aware of surroundings.
Teach How to Fall Safely
Falling is expected while learning. Teach them how to fall sideways rather than backward to prevent injury. Emphasising the importance of relaxed limbs can significantly reduce the risk of harm.
Hydration and Breaks
Highlight the importance of staying hydrated and taking breaks. Beginners might not realize when they need to rest. Encourage them to listen to their bodies. Studies indicate that short breaks can enhance focus by up to 40 percent.
Building Confidence on the Slopes
Confidence is key in skiing. Gradually increasing the difficulty of the slopes helps build this confidence. Start with the easiest runs and advance only when the beginner feels ready.
Safe Practice Areas
Find a flat area where they can practice stopping and turning without interference from others. This can help them gain confidence before attempting steeper slopes.
Positive Reinforcement
Offer praise for their efforts, regardless of size. For example, tell them they did a great job staying balanced even if they fell afterward. Positive words can encourage them to feel secure and eager to take on new challenges.
The Role of Patience
Patience is essential in teaching skiing. Everyone learns at their own pace, and sometimes progress feels slow.
Anticipate Setbacks
Expect days where advancement seems minimal. Learning to ski is a journey, filled with ups and downs. Remind your student that persistence is crucial.
Take Breaks When Needed
If frustrations arise, step away from the slopes temporarily. Use this time to share a snack or enjoy the scenery. A change of pace can reset emotions and maintain a positive experience.
Understanding the Nervous System
Recognising how the nervous system operates can enhance the learning experience. Anxiety and overwhelming situations can trigger fight-or-flight responses, making learning difficult.
Create a Calm Environment
Foster a tranquil space. Incorporate breathing exercises or mindfulness practices prior to skiing. Encourage the student to take deep breaths and focus on the moment.
Be Attuned to Your Own Energy
Your mood affects your student/friend/partner. If you're anxious or upset, they may pick up on that energy. Staying calm and composed will help them feel more secure.
Embracing the Skiing Journey
Teaching someone to ski is not only about the techniques but also about nurturing a positive relationship during the learning process. By creating a supportive atmosphere, focusing on safety, building confidence gradually, and practicing patience, you can help your student enjoy the thrills of skiing.
Remember, each person’s learning path differs. Embrace the ups and downs, and you’ll turn a challenging experience into a joyful adventure on the slopes.
What Is the Best Way to Learn to Ski as an Adult?
If you’re the one learning:
Book a lesson. Yes, even if your partner insists they can teach you. BASI instructors and UK snow domes (like Hemel Hempstead, Chill Factore, or Snozone) are brilliant starting points
Use your nervous system. Adults often carry “what if” stories - what if I fall, can’t keep up, look stupid. Pausing, breathing, and regulating your body state makes the difference
Be patient. Learning is slower as an adult - but your ability to reflect and notice helps balance that out
Choose your timing. Mornings are calmer than busy afternoons. Softer snow beats icy ruts
How to Ski Beginners Step by Step (Start on the Flat, No Poles First)
Every skier - adult or child - should start on a flat piste. Confidence comes before challenge, and balance comes before speed.
Get comfortable on skis. Shuffle forwards and sideways without poles. This helps you feel the skis move under your feet without worrying about sliding away
Find your stance. Place hands lightly on your knees to bring your centre of gravity lower. Keep knees and ankles flexed so you can feel the front of your ski boots. This is the foundation of stability
Slide gently. Once shuffling feels easy, try a small straight slide on the gentlest incline. Focus on balance, not distance
Learn to snowplough stop. Make the skis into a wedge or “pizza slice” by pushing heels out and tips in. This slows and stops you safely
Add direction. To turn, look where you want to go. Your eyes and body follow together. Later you’ll learn steering through pressure, edge, and rotation — but for now, eyes ahead is enough
Link turns together. Join left and right snowplough turns smoothly to find rhythm and control
Progress gradually. Only once turns feel natural should you move to steeper slopes or busier runs. The slower you progress here, the faster confidence grows later
⚠️ Bonus tip: Always wear a helmet. Confidence is one thing, safety is another.
What Is the Best Way to Teach Kids to Ski?
Kids are bundles of energy - and emotions. Here’s what works:
Make it play. Chase games, snowmen, and treasure hunts build skills without lectures
Keep it short. Stop before they’re tired - always leave them wanting more
Be the example. Calm, fun energy is contagious
Try ski school. Children often thrive in groups, learning from peers as much as instructors
How to Teach Someone to Turn Skiing
Turns are confidence-builders - and the first real skill beyond stopping. To teach them:
Start with balance drills. Weight shifts while standing or sliding slowly.
Add edges. Encourage tipping skis gently left or right to steer.
Link snowplough turns. Widen to slow, narrow to move — then string turns together.
Keep speed controlled. Teach turns as the tool to manage speed, not chase it.
👉You Might Also Like To Read: How To Rebuild Skiing Confidence
Should You Book Ski Lessons? (Short Answer: Yes)
Here’s the truth: if you want to learn quickly - and keep your relationship intact - professional lessons are worth it.
Instructors are trained for beginners. Instructors such as those from BASI (British Association of Snowsport Instructors) know how to spot subtle adjustments that make skiing safer and easier
UK indoor slopes are ideal. Snow domes like The Snow Centre (Hemel), The Snow Centre (Manchester), and Snozone (Yorkshire, Milton Keynes) offer year-round learning. Dry slopes are also brilliant for basics and even fun features likes moguls and free-style!
Lessons save relationships. Countless Reddit threads confirm it: teaching your partner can end in tears. Professionals remove the emotional baggage so you can stay supportive without pressure
Lessons build skill. Nervous System Literacy builds capacity. Together, they make skiing actually enjoyable.
Teaching Skiing Without Falling Out
At its core, teaching skiing well means:
Permission. Letting someone go at their pace
Voice. Allowing them to say “no” without shame
Capacity. Keeping learning inside a safe window, not tipping into overwhelm
That’s where my work at FlourishWell Coaching comes in. Skiing confidence isn’t just about drills - it’s about nervous system literacy, whole body listening, and building real capacity on the slopes.
👉 You Might Also LIke To Read: You’ve Bounced Back — But Your Body Hasn’t
Final Thoughts: How to Teach Someone to Ski
So, how do you teach someone to ski without falling out?
Start simple, safe, and slow
Respect fear as part of learning
Celebrate tiny wins
And if in doubt? Book a lesson
Because teaching skiing isn’t only about parallel turns - it’s about trust, capacity, and making the mountain a place of joy, not stress.
About Sarah
Sarah Gilbertson is a Therapeutic Coach and founder of FlourishWell Coaching. She works with women navigating midlife change, recovery, and confidence - helping them understand their nervous system and rebuild trust in themselves.
With a background in movement teaching and ski coaching, Sarah brings a grounded, body-aware, body-first approach to emotional health and skiing on your own terms.