On and off the slopes, everything is arranged for your safety. Think of the pistenbully’s, snowploughs and first aiders on snowmobiles. But what can you do yourself to make sure your winter holiday goes as safely as possible?

Car trip

Are you going on a winter trip by car? Then there are a number of safety precautions you should take. Winter tires must be on the car from November 1, it is also mandatory to have snow chains with you. Make sure the car is fully packed and take all safety equipment with you. This allows you, if you are faced with surprises, to anticipate quickly.

Equipment

Having your skis adjusted is important to have done for your safety. Of course, they must be adjusted to your personal level, otherwise things can quickly go wrong. Besides the skis, the outfit is also an important point. Not only should it be warm and look good, but the outfit should also fit well. In addition, the helmet and goggles are mandatory. For the perfect ski outfit, it is best to visit a ski store. We recommend MK-Skiservice because of their large selection and the knowledge of their staff.

Training

When you go skiing you don’t need to have a trained body with a six-pack, but being fit on the slopes is safer. Start exercising before your winter holiday so that you not only get up the mountain safely, but also get down in one piece. Experts recommend that you train your strength, endurance and core-stability so that you can go on holiday safely. Make sure you are prepared by practicing at home or in a ski hall and follow a training course there!

Enough rest

Starting the day rested ensures that you’ll get downstairs safely. If you have had enough sleep you are more alert and react faster. This means that you can avoid dangerous situations, so make sure you get enough sleep every night and go to the slopes well rested.

Start your ski day

Start your ski day with a warm-up, with just a few stretching exercises you reduce the risk of injury and you start the day smoothly. This will give you less muscle pain the next day and reduce the risk of skiing injuries.

Ski lessons

Can’t ski very well yet? That’s not a bad thing at all, but opt for a lesson. By taking ski lessons, you’ll get to know what you’re doing and not go down the mountain without experience. This will not only make it safer for you, but also for the other skiers on the slopes. You can also take indoor ski lessons at SnowWorld, so that you are extra well prepared before you hit the real slopes.

Common sense

Experimenting on the piste is fun, but take care for yourself and your fellow skiers. An accident can happen very easily. Always keep your full focus and use your common sense while skiing. Then winter sports will remain safe for everyone!

Fear is a bad counsellor” is sometimes said, and it certainly is when it comes to skiing. “How am I ever gonna get down that mountain in one piece? It’s so high! I really can’t do it! “I can’t! Fear is a phenomenon that occurs not only in adults, but also in children. It’s a shame, because fear makes you lose the pleasure of skiing. And even though with good guidance this is not necessary at all!

How does fear of skiing arise?

Although fear is often caused by images that people create in their own minds – skiing is so fast, the mountains are so high, skiing is so difficult! -, there are also often more easily influenced factors that come into play. If, for example, someone is assigned to the wrong ski group, this can quickly cause anxiety. The group goes too fast, goes down too steep slopes, or the level is just totally different. There are countless options.

It can also happen that someone gets acute skiing anxiety due to a nasty fall or accident. As they say in the world of horse riding: you have to get back in the saddle right away! But, what if this doesn’t work? What if the snowmobile brings you down because of a broken arm? Then you don’t say: ”oh let me go skiing, because I have to start skiing again someday”.

What can you do to get rid of your fear?

In the first incident above, you are assigned to the wrong ski group, you can of course already start with the right ski group. It can happen that in this situation this is just one step lower than the group you originally should have been placed in. In this way, you’ll have time to build up new confidence and you’ll be able to grow back to a higher level.

Have you had the misfortune of being involved in a nasty vol or an accident? Then it’s a good scare! Don’t get back on your skis on your own again, but book a few hours of private lessons so that you can perfect your technique to perfection with instructions from a ski instructor. A ski instructor can give you instructions that will give you more stability and security on the skis: more through the knees, upper body further forward, hands neatly forward, and so on. The ski posture is extremely important for your self-confidence on the piste!

Patience is a virtuel

It is important to be patient for the person with skiing anxiety. Whether this is your husband or wife, your boyfriend or girlfriend, your cousin or niece, or perhaps your own son or daughter. Patience is a virtue! The skier with fear of skiing will not get better and will certainly not feel better. For exactly the same reason it is also advisable to take private lessons instead of group lessons: there will not be six people eating out of their noses because they constantly have to wait for you.

Februari  2020, written  Kryschja

You have passed the age of 65: the age at which you start getting discounts everywhere in the Netherlands. In museums, public transport, theatre performances, you name it. Actually, you also want to go skiing for a week, but you don’t get a discount on your ski pass because you’re over 65. “Am I too old then?” you ask yourself. We can tell you: No, you’re not!

You’re never too old to ski

Like we said, being over 65 doesn’t mean you’re too old to ski. It might be a little slower than when you were 28, maybe you don’t dare, you think a little more about the dangers of skiing and you’re a little less flexible. All not a problem! Although it is of course important that you still have a certain degree of vitality and sportsmanship, you don’t necessarily have to be able to touch your toes with your fingers with your legs stretched out. 

Still a little unsure to get on skis?

Of course, it can happen that you are a bit insecure to get back on your skis. For example, you haven’t skied in five years, or maybe you fell on your bike four months ago, which reminds you how much pain your old bones can cause. Then take advantage of the private lessons offered at Ski School Snowsports Westendorf! This is certainly quite an investment, but it will also be seen and felt in your skiing. With the tips from our ski instructors you will immediately get a more stable posture and feel a lot more secure on the slats. Then you can join the rest of the group for the next few days!

Not 65+ but ”old” and uncertain?

Of course, the above advice also applies to you! Are you still vital, are you still a bit sporty and would you like to get on skis again? Then book your lessons at Ski School Snowsports Westendorf so that our teachers can help you get back on your skis confidently.