I wasn't someone who grew up at a ski resort. I can count the number of days I spent on the slopes before I moved to Utah on two hands.
A friend introduced me to snowboarding my sophomore year of high school and I was hooked, but life got in the way as it often does and I only managed to make it up a handful of times between the ages of 15 and 29. Despite averaging less than one on-mountain day per year for fourteen years, I couldn’t shake wanting to live somewhere with easy access to a resort. When the opportunity to move to Utah arose, it was the easiest decision of my life.
Snowboarding reigns supreme in Southern California so it made sense my introduction to snowsports happened on a snowboard. However, I saw that skiing still held the majority here and I was intrigued by learning something new in my new state. My limited time on the mountain up to that point meant I had an essentially clean slate and almost nothing to lose by seeing whether I enjoyed skiing.
Once I decided to uproot and land in the state with The Greatest Snow on Earth®, I started researching season pass options. I discovered Snowbasin Resort's Learn and Earn program which eliminated any lingering hesitation about swapping my snowboard for skis. I locked in my pass a month before I packed my first moving box.
Overcoming the Fear of Starting Late
I’m grateful I didn’t feel too doubtful about learning to ski as an adult. Granted, 29 years old is only the earliest stage of adulthood when adopting new hobbies. Still, I have friends who regularly write themselves off and insist that they’re “too old” to learn something new. It’s easy to let the fear of starting late manifest as feeling too old to take on a new hobby, but I know from personal experience that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Fears of falling, getting hurt, or being judged are all valid concerns when learning to ski as an adult. And while those fears may grow with your years, plenty of people learn to ski and snowboard well into their adult years. Your biggest obstacle is your mind; if you can hold off the nagging voice telling you you’re “too old,” you’ll find immense joy on the other side once you take on this amazing hobby.
Benefits of Learning to Ski as an Adult
Aside from the quiet bliss and feeling of freedom that washes over me whenever I ski, there are countless other benefits of learning to ski as an adult. It’s easy to let work, bills, family, and other responsibilities consume your life, but skiing keeps the joyful spirit of childlike play alive whenever I'm on the mountain. No matter what I’m going through, carving out a few hours to ski some laps reminds me what a thrill it is to be here and lucky enough to spend some time on the slopes.
Skiing is also an excellent way to improve cardiovascular health, enhance coordination, and strengthen muscles. I can never replicate that quad burn that comes from the first few days of skiing with any gym workout, no matter what combination of things I try. In addition to the physical benefits, spending time outside on the mountain also has unbeatable positive effects on mental health. Winters can be a tough time for seasonal depression and skiing offers an avenue to get outdoors when it might otherwise be difficult.
Tips to Get Started on the Slopes
Are you one of those adults who grew up in Utah and never had the chance to ski as a kid? Or maybe you tried it when you were young but haven’t returned to it? Whatever your reason, it isn’t too late for you to try. There are plenty of options for anyone who wants to learn to ski as an adult. Here are some tips to get started.
Rent gear, don’t buy
You might feel tempted to purchase a fun, flashy pair of skis at a pre-season gear swap, or a friend might offer to sell you an old pair collecting dust in their garage. When you’re first starting, though, gear rentals are the smartest way to go. You want skis that are easy to learn on and selecting a ski that’s the wrong size or a binding that has a DIN setting too high can cause you to hurt yourself. A knowledgeable rental tech will set you up with gear that’s fitted to your height, weight, and skill level.
Consider taking a lesson (or two!)
You might have a friend who has skied every winter of their life and offers to take you up and teach you to ski. However, opting to take an individual or group lesson from a certified ski instructor might be a better idea if that is an option for you. Ski instructors have tons of experience and undergo testing and certification processes to make sure they know how to provide a smooth, enjoyable, and safe learning experience for every person.
Stick to a smaller mountain or purchase a "bunny hill" lift ticket
There’s no reason to head straight to the top of the mountain on your first day on skis. You’re better off learning at a smaller mountain where lift tickets are less expensive or on the beginner slopes at resorts where they often sell lift tickets with limited access to beginner terrain.
Find friends to ride or learn with
Skiing by yourself is enjoyable but skiing with friends is unmatched. Having a supportive group of friends to encourage and push you when you are learning to ski as an adult can make the experience all the more enjoyable. It’s even better if you can find another adult friend who wants to learn to ski with you. If you can’t find a friend you know, there are dozens of Facebook groups dedicated to skiing in Utah, both in general as well as at individual resorts. And hey, you might meet someone cool in your lesson!
Remember to be patient with yourself
Skiing takes time to learn and a lifetime to master. You won’t be an Olympic contender your first day, first month, or even first year. The more patient you are with yourself, the more fun you will have. If you start taking it a bit too seriously, stop by the base lodge and kick back with a cup of cocoa to gather yourself before you get back out there. Skiing is supposed to be fun; don’t push yourself so hard that you lose the excitement of it. Learning to ski as an adult might be a bit more challenging, but it is well worth the joy of a great day on the mountain.
