Skiing Training
Beginning skiers tend to use a lot more energy than advanced. Sore muscles and bones for the out of shape and even the in-shape are common ailments. Upper body strength is especially important as a beginner because you are often getting yourself off the ground, sometimes in strange angles that take a lot of energy. Legs can get extremely tired, especially thighs and calves when digging into turns and standing yourself out of the snow.
There aren’t really any specific workout regimens unless you are training to be in the Olympics, but general fitness and aerobic workouts are a good bet. Slalom machines also may help get your rhythm. The best thing you can do is learn to fall and learn to stop from a ski instructor while on the slopes. This will save you lots of energy and make your ski or snowboard experience much easier.
Skiing Gear
To ski or snowboard you have two parts of packing to do. One part is clothing and another part is your equipment. Your clothing is especially important considering you will be in the middle of extreme weather. Dressing warm, yet comfortable is the idea. Ski shops right on the slopes will sell everything from hats, waterproof gloves, jackets, ear muffs, pants, socks, and anything else you could ever imagine. Waterproof jackets and pants are good, as are polysynthetic fiber under layers such as polar fleece. Sometimes just thermal shirts will work.
You may not need every bit of clothing depending on the weather. In places like Colorado people often ski in t-shirts and jeans on sunny days. On cold lift rides to icy slopes at the tops of mountains where wind and blizzard conditions are in your face, polysynthetic fibered clothing, hats, gloves, ear muffs, and whatever else are life savers.
Skis come in a variety of shapes and sizes. In general the length of your skis depends on how tall you are. They come in different shapes based on your skill level. Some may be thinner to move faster over the snow, while some may have wedged ends to help maneuver better around corners. Both ski and snowboards have boots and bindings. Ski boots are often hard, plastic shells with plastic straps. They snap into the small bindings on your skis, which can be done standing up. To ski you also need poles, which help push you along on flat terrain and maneuver your way on and off lifts. They also help you keep balance on the slopes.
Snowboards are similar in their design, except that there is just one. The length of a board generally depends on your height, while some variations exist depending on the type of riding you like to do. For instance downhill riding and half pipe riding have their own specialty boards, however, most boards can be used for everything. Snowboards have more variation on their boots and bindings. Snowboard boots are softer than ski boots. They are like big shoes. They can either snap into to the bindings or strap in. for strap-ins you have to sit down at the top of the mountain after getting off the lift to strap your loose foot in.