You’ve hit the slopes tons of times before, and you’ve explored different moves. You can comfortably maneuver your skis without a sliver of doubt in your mind. You may feel it’s time to take things to the next level and consider yourself an advanced skier. If you’re going to take on new challenges and terrain, there are some important things you should have first.
Better Protective Gear
New challengers pose more risks. Even though you may know by this point that being careful goes a long way and you won’t likely die from skiing, it’s best to avoid injuries and be safe during unwanted collisions by investing in the right gear that can shield you and your equipment.
As you move past recreational zones that don’t require head protection, now is the time to pick yourself up a light helmet like a Giro Union, which makes use of the Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS). This system sustains any impact or external pressure more safely. Of course, choosing a light molded helmet is great for breathability and comfort without sacrificing safety. But it also means that the rider needs to be mindful about avoiding trees and the like because those would still have overwhelming force.
You’ll also want to consider your back protection, insulation, and padded wear, depending on your preferences and needs.
Improved Ski Habits
Most accidents have been shown to occur to advanced skiers not during hard terrain or steep slopes but more often on groomed rides and the like. They end up going too fast and colliding or having to make a sudden turn that they didn’t anticipate causing a knee injury.
So, this falls on the rider’s habits and making sure they don’t get overconfident when riding through more relaxed areas. It’s easy to underestimate and become less alert about the environment when it’s considered easier and more traversable than other slopes you’ve experienced before. So, the adjustment here needs to be within one’s self.
By remaining vigilant even on decidedly simpler cruises, it’s easier to avoid unwanted injuries and accidents that can cause harm to oneself and even others. It’s also a good way to keep the mind sharp in preparation for more difficult runs.
Increased Training
Increasing difficulty means increased training is necessary. Even if you’ve mastered your maneuvers and are comfortable at high speeds and adjusting as needed, it’s necessary to ready yourself for the demands of advanced skiing.
Deep powder, steep slopes, narrow areas, rough terrain, and moguls are all things that take some nuanced skill to traverse even if you have mastered all the basics. Go for training with some friends. It should be specifically geared towards handling these challenges. You can take on a trainer if you’re serious about taking these on.
There are a ton of tricks that will come in handy when you have to react on the fly to more dangerous and high-stakes surroundings.
Whether you’re taking on an expert trail or you’re going full-force on a blue run, make sure you’ve got all of these covered, and you can feel the freedom of the peak.
