When it comes to skiing and snowboarding, it’s often the little details that make all the difference. Here are 20 tips that experienced skiers and snowboarders use every day on the slopes. We hope they’ll help you save time, avoid inconveniences, save money, improve your safety, and enjoy every run even more.
Table of Contents
Quick checklist before hitting the snow
Before the season starts, take your equipment out of storage and check that everything is in order. If you notice that your skis have rusty or damaged edges, the base is marked or dry, or the bindings are loose, don’t wait any longer and get them serviced. If you know how to do it and have the necessary equipment to wax your skis and repair them, go ahead. If you don’t know how, go to a shop that has a workshop (and a good ski technician). Also, check the condition of your ski boots. To do this, there’s nothing better than putting them on, gradually closing the buckles until they fit snugly, walking around a bit, and flexing. If there is any damage or they rub, see a professional. If everything is fine, fasten the buckles and the upper Velcro strap (strap) to medium intensity, making sure that the boot shaft is centered. Then place small bags of silica gel or desiccant beads inside the boots. This keeps the interior dry, preventing moisture from damaging the padding or causing bad odors. Finally, check that there is no damage to the helmet or poles.
Anticipate the morning chaos: organize your equipment
One of the biggest challenges for any skiing family is not on the slopes, but before leaving home or the hotel: gathering all the equipment. All it takes is a forgotten pair of gloves or boots of the wrong size for a perfect day to start with rushing or arguments. The key is to organize your equipment in advance, both at home and during the trip.
Each family member should have their own organized and labeled gear, preferably in an individual bag or backpack. There are ski bags designed with ventilated compartments for boots, helmets, gloves, goggles, and accessories, although large polypropylene (PP) bags are durable and can serve the purpose perfectly well. In the case of children, this system helps them to be independent and take responsibility for their own equipment. In addition, for large families, labeling each bag with a name or initials—even with a small colored patch—greatly simplifies morning logistics. One detail: try to maintain a logical order inside the bag. Place the boots first (at the bottom), followed by the helmet, goggles, and finally the three layers of thermal clothing. Store small items—a snack, sunscreen, lip balm—in an outside pocket and always keep your ski pass in an inside pocket or in a pocket on the sleeve of your jacket. Before leaving your accommodation, check everything as a family: skis, boots, helmet, gloves, goggles, poles, sunscreen, lip balm, and ski pass.
Managing your equipment during the day’s skiing
Tie your gloves together or attach them with an elastic band
When not in use, keep your gloves together (with a ribbon, clip, or cord). We always recommend using an elastic bandthat attaches to the back of the glove and fits around your forearm. This will prevent you from losing one when you take your gloves off momentarily.
Store your goggles and gloves in your helmet
When you’re in the cafeteria, first put your goggles and then your gloves inside your helmet and fasten the chin strap to your belt or pant leg. You can also hook them between your knee and the top of your ski boot for short trips. With this simple method, you free up your hands and avoid carrying too many things.
On the chairlift, place your poles under your legs
If you need to use your hands while riding the chairlift and don’t know what to do with them, we suggest you put them together and place them under your legs. The handles go behind your buttocks or to the side of your hips so they don’t bother you, and the tips of the poles face forward. The easiest thing to do is to place them in this position when you get on the lift. Remember to take them out before it’s time to raise the safety bar, without disturbing the other passengers on the chairlift.
Flexibility in boot adjustment (loose lower area)
Leave the lower area of the buckles or BOA system slightly looser before getting on a lift: this helps improve circulation in your feet and prevents discomfort in the soles. When you are going to ski down more technical or high-speed slopes, adjust all the buckles and BOA properly, but do not tighten them too much as this will restrict circulation.
Technique applied on the descent
If you don’t fall at least once a day, you may be being too conservative
One of the most repeated pieces of advice among experienced riders is clear: dare to step out of your comfort zone. Falling (with caution) is part of the learning process. Small falls are a sign that you are exploring new limits, improving your technique, and gaining confidence.
Playing with your balance, trying different speeds, or daring to try a new slope teaches you much more than always repeating the same run. In the snow, progress begins right where comfort ends.
Practice turns with one ski
Practicing turns with one ski is a very effective method for skiers of all levels. This exercise focuses on the fundamental principles of skiing: balance, centering, and correct positioning on the outside ski.
By doing this, you get immediate feedback on your balance, centering, and edge control. It also demonstrates how easy and efficient turning can be when you are correctly positioned on a single ski with pressure and a well-supported edge.
Look ahead
Good skiers direct their gaze towards the line of maximum slope. This is useful in short turns, but to improve the dynamics between slightly wider turns, we recommend looking towards the apex of the turn. But before you reach that apex, look away to the next apex. This trick will naturally orient your body and help you link turns together.
Change your pace, step out of your comfort zone, and explore the whole mountain
Related to the previous tip. Every skier has an optimal “turning tempo” that they are used to. Our recommendation is to start by counting the seconds between “comfortable” turns. The exercise is to shorten and lengthen it from time to time, changing your pace. On the other hand, we recommend leaving the usual ski runs to improve your technique—ski between trees, make low jumps, and turn on untouched slopes—to force your body to adapt to different conditions. This will improve your overall control.
If you feel out of control, lean forward slightly and lower your center of mass.
When you are going fast or lose control, skid, check that no one is coming down the slope, and continue the turn uphill (counter-slope). It may help to shift your center of gravity slightly forward by bending (without overdoing it) and lowering your center of gravity slightly.
Use “cut zigzag” on very steep slopes
On steep descents, making quick, wide turns or carving is not usually the best option unless you are an expert. One way to moderate your speed is to deliberately cut your turns to avoid accelerating too much and maintain control. The flex-extension technique is usually the most effective.
Logistics, time saving, and comfort
Fill up your tank the night before and have certain things handy
Prepare your car for snow and cold. Also, to avoid stops and delays, fill up your fuel tank before going to sleep if your destination is remote. Before starting the pass that leads to the resort, fill up your tank at least halfway and keep your snow chains handy along with some old gloves (unless you have snow tires with the 3PMSF symbol)
If you want to save money, take food to the slopes
Prepare compact but energy-packed snacks (such as bread with lean cold cuts or nuts) so you don’t have to rely on the prices of mountain restaurants. If you don’t like carrying a backpack while skiing, we recommend carrying them in the lower pockets of your jacket. It’s not very stylish and can get in the way, but after 1:00 p.m., there won’t be a trace left.
Buy equipment out of season
Visit the best ski shops in spring/summer: sales and clearance allow you to get technical equipment (jackets, gloves, skis, boots, goggles, helmets, etc.) at great discounts. The equipment will never be the latest model, but you’re sure to save money. If you have the resources, don’t deprive yourself, as the latest models include new technologies that will make you enjoy the snow even more.
Avoid the crowds on the ski lifts
If you’re traveling in a group, it’s not always a bad idea to split up. Use the single line for ski lifts (it’s sometimes less crowded) which usually moves quickly as it’s used to fill up the lifts, and meet up at the top of the chairlift.
Find your car after a heavy snowfall
When you leave your car, raise the windshield wipers so that snow does not stick to them. If you expect heavy snowfall, tie a colored cloth to the end of the windshield wipers. This simple trick will allow you to locate your vehicle if there is a lot of snow in the parking lot. Another useful method is to “Save your parking spot” on Google Maps…
Safety and prevention
Take your skis home with you: prevent your skis from being stolen
Sometimes it’s an oversight—another skier has confused them—but other times, it’s intentional. Therefore, to prevent your skis from being stolen, always leave them separate, swap one with your friend, cross one over the other so they stand out, or better still, use a small cable lock (they are lightweight and inexpensive). If you are going to eat, leave your equipment in a ski locker, in a visible area, or in the resort’s secure areas.
Identification on your helmet
Attach a discreet sticker with your details (name and contact telephone number) to the outside of your helmet. In case of loss or fall, this will facilitate identification. If you have children, it is very useful in case they get lost (remember to include the country code if you are skiing abroad).
Helping those who know less
If you are with a friend on steep slopes, the more experienced skier should go first without straying too far, giving instructions, controlling any possible falls and, if necessary, helping to slow them down.
At the end of the day, the best hacks for skiing or snowboarding are those that really improve your experience: comfort, safety, progress, and fun. Sometimes the little details can make the difference between a frustrating day and an epic one.
We invite you to try some of these 20 tips on your next outing, share this article with your mountain friends, and tell us which ones work best for you.
By the way, if you have any other useful tricks or hacks you’d like to share with the I Love Ski community, don’t hesitate to contact us: we’d love to quote you and include them in future posts.
See you on the slopes… and may the snow be with us!
