There are a lot of things you can do wrong in skiing, whether it’s surrounding your gear, your behavior on the mountain, or your preseason training. Most people learn these through time and experience, but it’s nice to have a look at the biggest mistakes you can make before you get in too deep. These 20 mistakes are all pretty easily avoidable, so take note and make sure you remember them.
20 Most Common Mistakes Made By Skiers
20 Common Mistakes Made By Skiers
- Buying ski boots that are too large: A loose boot reduces performance, causes foot sliding, shin pain, cold toes, and poor ski control. Boots should feel snug in the shop (as liners pack out over time).
- Wearing socks that are too thick or too many socks: Extra material restricts blood flow, making feet colder and causing pressure points in snug boots. Use only one pair of quick-dry material socks.
- Not drying your boots overnight or leaving them in the car: Damp boots lead to cold feet while skiing; car-stored boots start the day miserably. Use boot dryers/heaters carefully to avoid damaging liners.
- Not replacing ski boots often enough: Shells and liners break down after about 150 days of use, losing stiffness, support, and comfort, leading to pain or poor fit.
- Buying skis that are too wide: Wide skis are great for powder but fatiguing on groomed trails, requiring more effort to turn and extra knee angulation (problematic for seniors or those with knee issues).
- Wearing any garments made of cotton: Cotton absorbs and holds sweat/moisture, chilling the body on lifts or stops. Use synthetic or merino wool base layers that wick moisture.
- Overdressing and not layering: Bundling up leads to overheating, sweating, and then getting cold. Use removable layers to regulate temperature.
- Not alternating in the lift line: Failing to take turns when lines merge disregards basic courtesy, slowing everyone down.
- Blasting music that everyone can hear: It disrupts the mountain’s peace and others’ experience; use headphones to keep tunes private.
- Not making others aware before lowering the safety bar: Skipping a verbal check can cause bumps to heads, helmets, cameras, or tangled skis.
- Not loading lifts to capacity on busy days: Leaving empty seats intentionally prolongs wait times for everyone behind, slowing the system.
- Littering: Dropping garbage ruins scenery and respect for the mountain and fellow skiers. Use trash cans at the top.
- Stopping in the middle of a trail or in a blind spot: Obstructs traffic and creates invisibility risks for uphill skiers; always pull to the side.
- Not wearing a helmet: Essential for brain protection and safety in modern skiing. Ensure it fits properly and is clipped on.
- Not looking uphill before starting: Common error like pulling into traffic without checking. Always yield to oncoming skiers before merging or starting downhill.
- Having tires that are not suited for winter driving: All-season tires aren’t necessarily enough. Use snow tires on all four wheel. Poor tires endanger you and others.
- Leaning too far backward while skiing: Feels defensive/safer but unweights the ski tips, making turns/stops harder, unstable, and leading to spinouts. Maintain even weight distribution in an athletic stance.
- Thinking you are carving when you are not: True carving leaves thin arced lines in the snow using the ski’s sidecut; skidded turns don’t and indicate poor technique.
- Overestimating your ability: Leads to harm in varying conditions (snow, fatigue, lighting). Adjust speed and terrain to your true skill level.
- Neglecting physical preparation: Skiing demands leg/core strength, balance, and flexibility. Offseason training prevents pain and ensures a fun, full season.
