Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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SNOWBIRD — Utah is one of the best places in the world for winter sports, says Rodger Renstrom, supervisor of the Snowbird Mountain School. "If you're living in Utah and not skiing or snowboarding, you are missing the reason for winter."
Have you always wanted to ski but haven't gotten the guts to go for it yet? It's never too late to try. But there are a few things you should know before hitting the slopes.
So what advice do the pros have for newbies? Here's what Renstrom had to say:
What's the best weather to learn to ski?
"If it's your first time skiing, avoid the blizzards where it's just howling 40 mph wind … because it's just not going to be quite as comfortable."
How long will my first lesson be?
"For someone that has never ever skied before, they need to plan on at least a couple of hours for their lesson. You need to have enough time to start sliding and getting a little experience and mileage on your skis."
Should I take group lessons or private lessons?
"Being in a group is a lot of fun because you get to laugh and experience this sport with other people. If you're a social person, take a group. If you really just want to learn as fast as you can and have that individual attention, then a private lesson might be the way to go."
What if I'm not sure about committing to lessons?
"Give it a try. I would suggest taking a lesson rather than going out with a friend (for the first time). Give it a whirl and see what you think, and then you can make a decision if you want to keep skiing or not — but if you never try it, you're missing one of the best parts of Utah life."
Watch the video to see the full interview with Rodger Renstrom.
