learning to ski

Tony_H wrote:Lessons, and self confidence. Dont be afraid of the mountain.

Ditto this.
Don't be afraid, once you build up your confidence - especially where spotting is concerned - there will be no stopping you! :-)

The two milestones for me was learning to stop at speed and getting into the habit of leaning forward and attacking the slope rather than just slipping along. Master that and you have a solid foundation to progress with.

Sharon,
First be patient with yourself. Do not expect "instant" to be expert.

May I suggest following;
1. Work your mind. Your thoughts about speed, control and "feet together issues".
-speed,,,,stay on easy beginner wide slopes
-control,,,yes take lessons since no one on net will provide "acceptable" on slope experience
-feet together,,,,no need for that. That WAS the old pre-1970s technique. No need for leg together skiing.

2. Beginner skiers make three fundamental mistakes.

First they look at skis or ski tips while skiing. Never but never look at skis. Look 2-4 meters ahead where you will be going.
Second. 90% of skiers do body rotation turns. That is they turn upper torso to turn skis. NO NO NO!
That is where lessons will come handy. Learn to turn skis with knees and ski edges. Not upper body.
I can not here tell you how to do that on net.
Third. Always press big toe down on ski. Never be on heels. 90% of skiers are afraid of speed or lack of control and thus lean back on ski tails and heels.

Learn to ski from edges to edge of trail,,,,with slow easy turns. Watch beginners and how they turn quickly since they are afraid of speed.

The trick is to trust your skis and your ability to do a slow gradual turn. Yes you may pick you speed,,but if you trust yourself and keep turning across slope skis will slow down as they go up hill.
You must not panic.
You must trust skis to keep edge.
You must trust yourself to "RIDE OUT" speed,,,,( of course going across slope) !

Talk to yourself to hold that edge.

I hope this helps you.

Yes take lessons ( alone with instructor )

Respectfully,
Pavel