Eye On Weather: Enjoy The Snow And Learn To Ski
PRINCETON (CBS) – With the record-setting levels of snow across Massachusetts, this winter is a good time to learn how to ski.
WBZ-TV meteorologist Pamela Gardner is new to the Boston-area, so she took her first lesson at Wachusett Mountain.
Ski instructor Glen Carbutt shared several beginner tips before they went outside – wear a helmet, goggles, warm layers of clothes and fresh, dry socks.
Read: More 'Eye On Weather' Features
Once you get boots, poles and skis that fit you, put them on outside and work on learning the proper stance and steering with your feet.
"When we're skiing, (your) legs are always going to stay bent a little bit," Carbutt said.
Once you've got your balance set, step into one ski and make sure you hear the 'click' sound confirming your boot is locked.
Then strap your poles to your wrist, go for a brief 'test drive' and finally put on that second ski.
There are basically two ways to ski – think food!
Keeping your skis parallel makes you go faster (skis are in a French fries formation)
Putting your skis in an "A" format (like a slice of pizza) helps slow you down.
The next step is literally taking baby steps, sort of like skating in the snow, with your skis.
You have to learn to skate before you can ski.
Once that's done, stand up straight, lean forward and push off lightly with your poles.
"Start coasting and let the poles go behind you, hands out front," Carbutt said.
Now you're off!
Go for a few runs on the beginner slope to get comfortable before trying more difficult trails.
For more information on lessons, visit Wachusett Mountain's website.
Follow Pamela on Twitter @PamelaWBZ4