What should beginners know before going skiing?

Snow may look soft and fluffy when it's falling from the clouds, but it is 'dressed' on the hill and packed down. Prepare to see bruises after your first few trips to the ski hill.

Expect to be falling down a lot. But don't worry about it! Everyone falls down a lot their first time, and there's no shame in being new to the sport.

Staying warm is important, so dress appropriately. Because you will be falling down, jeans may not be wise - try to wear ski pants and a ski jacket, or anything that's waterproof.

Make sure you get boots that fit - this is the #1 thing that will make your first experience pleasant. Make sure that your feet cannot turn side to side within the boots, but they should not be so small as to cramp your toes. Keep trying on boots until you find a pair that really fits - even boots that say they are the same size may not be.

Lessons are a great way to get into the sport. Friends may want to teach you, but they may not always teach you the right fundamentals. It's easier to learn the right way than to correct bad habits later.

Practice falling on purpose
first. Might be useful for
the times when it's not on
purpose and might teach You
how not to break Your legs
and receive other damage.
Also will give You more
courage.
.
Also that turning is more
about putting all the weight
on one foot and leaning a bit
than moving the skis.
(for basic skiing)
.
Develop good balance and
bend Your body, when riding.
Don't stand straight.
You should be more like this:
http://www.twenty9.net/wp-content/uploads/ski_challenge_2007.jpg
Not that much but something
in the middle between this and
straight standing.
.
I think You'll get the rest.

falling

snow is not as soft as it appears : )

BE CAREFUL!
TAKE IT SLOW!
PRACTICE ON THE SMALL SLOPES!
(And carry your health insurance information)

how to dial 9-1-1 and how to sip hot buttered rum in a cast at the ski lodge when they break their leg like I did!

Gravity is a multiplied absolute when combined with downhill speed.

I think that one of the most important things for a beginner to know is that the ski resort caters for beginners and that there is a good ski school available.

After that make sure you know how to cater for changing weather conditions, be prepared to find your initial skiing experience quite tricky but know that you will get it eventually. Finally conserve your energy, avoid drag lifts as much as possible and carry some chocolate bars for energy when you get tired.

Good ski resorts for beginners: -

http://hubpages.com/hub/Ski-Italy-Folgarida
http://hubpages.com/hub/Ski-Canada-Banff
http://hubpages.com/hub/Ski-Holidays-Austria-Mayrhofen

First, always wear the right clothes. If you are cold you will not enjoy being out in the snow. Fabric and insulation technology has advanced so much today. Ultra-thin insulating long underwears available now are amazingly warm. And the boot liners keep your toes nice and warm as well. Not like the old days when we had leather lace up boots.

Second, wear a helmet and make sure your helmet, boots and skiis fit you and the bindings are adjusted properly. Again, ski equipment technology has advanced so much that there is less risk of injury in case you fall.

Third, learn the basics, know how to stop and turn before getting ambitious! I highly recommend taking at least one ski school lesson before hitting the slopes.

And have a great time!

That falling is inevitable when learning so beginners should know how to safely fall.

What the ski conditions are like.

That you are going to fall a lot and be sore afterwards until you get good at it.

Don't forget to deliberately fall down if you find yourself skiing down a hill you didn't intend to ski down. (I know this from experience)

You will feel as if you have been kicked many times by a mule the second day, but hang in there it is worth it.

Have a lot of patience with yourself. Get ready to hate it at first, until you get the hang of it. Once you do, you will LOVE it.

Don't expect to be perfect the first day. It takes practice. Most people only really start enjoying themselves after the 3rd or 4th trip.

HOW TO STOP! I never took any lessons. My loving brother took me right to the top of the mountain. After wiping out trying to get off the chair lift we started down the trail. He forgot to show me how to stop! It was not a pretty sight when we got to the bottom.

Stay behind the boat! Water hurts at 45mph!!! +3

Bones break. Go slow.

putting on the skis that is hard ! +5

Make sure you have the proper equipment! Whether you're renting or buying, nothing ruins a day of skiing faster than blisters or bruises on your shins and ankles because of ill-fitting boots, or a really bad pair of skis because they just gave you whatever and you didn't know to request a certain kind of ski.

Make sure to check out some of the best ski boots so you'll be prepared when you go to the store or the rental shop.

Ski boot liners also make a huge difference in comfort, and rental ones tend to be on the thin, cheap side, so take a look at the resource above and consider getting your own.

As far as skis, for a beginner I would recommend something similar to the Dynastar Legend 8000 skis, which is shaped enough to really help your turning, but also plenty steady for beginners and it won't turn on its own like some super-performance skis.

And most importantly - have fun! It may be hard at first, but it's such a rewarding sport, stick with it!