While most people race down the slopes worry-free and with much fun, some struggle with ski anxiety. Most winter sports enthusiasts don't hit the slopes alone but ski together with a group. But are you evenly matched when skiing? Or is someone always much slower? Perhaps that person is yourself. And this is perfectly fine, as you should ski for your own pleasure. But maybe you are secretly afraid of skiing? Here are 8 tips on how to overcome your anxiety.
There can be many reasons for ski anxiety. Some are afraid of heights, and others are not. Some people can suddenly get scared of speed. It has to do with control. Do you feel you are not in control? On your own, you can solve that easily. You just slow down. Take the slopes you already know and like. Solution 1 is, therefore, very unsociable: ski alone at your own pace.
Not many people like skiing on their own. Of course, you have to go skiing in a group! But this can be tricky. Somebody in the group chooses a slope that you find too difficult or pushes you to ski at an uncomfortable pace. You have clearly crossed the limit of what is fun for you. And then suddenly, it can strike - ski anxiety. It helps if you're out with the right people. Avoid speeders, but choose ski friends who accept your pace.
In the mornings, the pistes are often still very hard and icy. Some ski fans already crowd in front of the gates to catch the first lift, full of adrenaline. Standing among them, you automatically become quite worked up, and that manifests itself in fear. Just don't participate in that. Start an hour later! There's no need for you to start your day feeling stressed!
You are on a skiing holiday with your partner or a regular group of friends. And they ski really fast, too fast for you. So what can you do? You don't enjoy skiing alone. Give them some space to go wild now and then. In the meantime, treat yourself to a cup of coffee. Let the others hit the black slopes and do cool things. Then you can hook up again and enjoy skiing together.
Take time to warm up properly. It will make skiing easier and take the stress out of your body. Do the warm-up very consciously - watch how ski instructors do it with children. Try out relays on one ski, snowball fights or a boxing workout. Make sure it makes you laugh and well warmed up. After this, you will be good to go!
You will gain control by acquiring good ski technique. When you are afraid, you make wrong movements and lose control. Once the fear has set in, it is hard to get rid of it. So consider taking extra ski lessons. It will cost money, but if that's the price you have to pay to find joy in skiing again, it will be worth it.
A good ski instructor will start the lesson by asking you what you want to learn. Be honest immediately - the teacher will see it in your skiing anyway. When you feel ready, go back a few steps and practice on an easy slope. Try balancing on your skis, making turns and braking. Once you have regained that confidence, you can practice on a more difficult piste. You will see that you will consciously work on your technique and forget to be scared.
Taking extra lessons in the UK and working on your technique will make you more confident before going on your next holiday. Then you will have more time on the slopes to enjoy the surroundings.
Are you secretly afraid of skiing? Don't worry! You're not the only one. But do something about it so you can really enjoy your winter holidays. Do you have any good tips? Let us know via our social channels.
I grew up in Slovenia, close to the Julian Alps. Early on, my parents put me on skis and skates, and the winter sports enthusiasm hasn't left me since. I also enjoy cross-country skiing and have been a keen snowboarder for the past 20 years.
