How to Ski - What you need to know for your first day | REI

Ready to hit the slopes? We partnered with Robin Barnes of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) to teach you the basics. In this video, we cover everything from your ski stance to controlling your speed with a wedge and connecting turns down the mountain.
What you need to know:
Stance and how to stay balanced - 0:36
The basic Wedge position - 1:33
Walking uphill with skis on - 2:53
Turning with a Wedge - 5:32
Linking Wedge turns - 7:26
We also made a video on how to put on your ski gear-check that out here: • How to Put on Skis || REI
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At Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), we love to get outside and play, and we know first-hand the importance of quality outdoor gear. We stand behind all our products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and we design our own line of award-winning REI brand gear and clothing. Whether you're new to outdoor adventure or a seasoned pro, we gladly share our enthusiasm for our products-and the trails, slopes and waterways where we play.
Shop REI.com: www.rei.com/
Take a class: www.rei.com/learn.html
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Learn something new: www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice
Find a trail: www.rei.com/h/adventure-projects
Read: www.rei.com/blog
REI Membership: www.rei.com/membership/benefits
A Co-op Films Production-
Producer: Mary Beth Lavender
Director: Jason Lohr-Johnson
Camera: Corey Warren / Chris Wojcik
Content: Robin Barnes
Talent: Robin Barnes
Editing: Katie Van Fleet

[@genjam1993]

Anyone else sitting on top of a mountain and questioning their life choices

[@jakoba4350]

feel you man

[@baguette4607]

Yep

[@brokentissuebox]

That was me in a baby hill with a snowboard lol

[@andressanlucas]

lol me rn

[@JazmynGlitzy]

Literally

[@americanbro9057]

Wish I knew this stuff before I just winged going down a blue hill. I'm pretty decent tho, only crashed into one tree, one bruised rib, and one concussion, so I'd say it was a good learning experience

[@davidn.2555]

Was the blue that steep?

[@jellyanimates5096]

I’ve only gone on a green hill

[@heji2743]

David N. I’ve bruised a rib in the woods that were very dense it doesn’t take that much force I’m not a doctor but just thought I’d like to help

[@cosminchertesable]

I haven't skid in 4 years and accidentally went down the black one. Fell 2 times, once at the middle and the other time at the end

[@iliketrees4293]

American Bro that’s... traumatic

[@kungao5838]

i'm going skiing for the first time on saturday so my dad said to watch a video to now some basic facts , i'm so exited

[@lizrosario3231]

Ken G I’m going on the 26 of December 😃I’m so excited 😆

[@kcampbelll]

Liz Rosario me too!!

[@ziggymatuszewski2803]

Good for you !!! Hope you have a lot of fun and don't let frequent falls to discourage you. good luck and stay safe.

[@kadinmcdonald865]

Liz Rosario bro same, I’m leaving for Colorado the 26th

[@BrettKnows]

I'm at A basin in Colorado all week

[@lucyjane7375]

This is the BEST beginner ski instruction ever. Seriously.

[@lillithediamondd3947]

When I went to ski school this is what my teacher thought the class. This is basically a free lesson.

[@tommymarcus4121]

My daughter and I watched this video a dozen of times. We are back from our trip and we did great!!! We had so much fun. Thank you for this very awesome instructional video.

[@stan4now]

This is really the best video to help people and their children get the hang of it a lot easier and have more fun. Robin keeps it simple with the best demonstrations. Her charisma really makes the difference. I'm a former ski patroller and PSIA instructor who also worked with the disabled, mostly war veterans. We all need to get out and do something we enjoy. Thank You REI. Glad to be a longtime member.

[@rei]

Thank you for the kind words and for being a longtime member Stan!

[@aaronthelobsterbaby3084]

A lot better then my instructor who didn’t teach me anything and left me on top of a mountain

[@manjushanmugam8244]

@@aaronthelobsterbaby3084 oof

[@paulpolpiboon9535]

@00:50 Stance @4:10 Slowing/Stop @3:13 @4:10 Going up hill @5:45 Steering

[@julianamckeehan4314]

More people should definitely "Like" this comment.

[@paulpolpiboon9535]

@@julianamckeehan4314 :😂😃 thnx, glad it helps!

[@douglasreed3176]

Went skiing for the first time yesterday and can definitively say that this video was the key to my success. Thank you so much!

[@newyorkrangers5746]

Where? Today, I just came back from a trip to jiminy peak in massachusetts

[@apeekintime]

Paid for a lesson and in 2 hours we covered the same material. Getting real time from an instructor was worth the price (only $50) but if you were on a super budget this video gets you 80% if you have half decent coordination. Will be attempting to improve my parallel turning on my next visit to the local ski hill before hitting up Colorado. Rather spend my time learning when the lift ticket is only $50 as compared to $250+

[@Doctorwankinstein.]

This is fantastic. These instructions probably stopped me from dying a painful and embarrassing death. Thank you.👍

[@rei]

Now that is high praise. Glad you found them helpful. Stay safe out there.

[@ionutdragomir6070]

Oh.. Just saved me few hundreds of euros in lessons in French alps.. With All due respect to all instructors out there. Thanks again

[@alexat62]

Great tutorial - gets to the demonstration immediately; clear instructions; doesn’t waste time with lengthy explanations. 👍🏻

[@mart5224]

who else is watching bc they dont wanna pay for skiing classes & its their first time skiing?

[@cimarronMC]

Ya! You can be fine! Just the basic technics and take it slow on the bunny hills and work your way up!

[@sojiczapredsednika]

NO!! I am more interested in how not to fall next time.

[@hudamunir9737]

Me I can't ski so I need to learn bc im only skiing one day and I dont wanna spend the day trying to learn bc i live in the south so I can't ski alot

[@southsidevante801]

i did it wit no class its kinda hard

[@sojiczapredsednika]

@@southsidevante801 Tried last month but on artificial snow and much more weight. I stopped rolling at the end of the track. If i only had this class before. (!trolling, it won't help you much)

[@MegaBond101]

I've never seen that much snow And ive never seen my father So excited to see both of he actually keeps his word and takes me skiing in a month!

[@gobrrr61]

What kind of fact is that

[@yses04]

Its been a month. Did he keep his word?

[@themodelcitizen2]

@@yses04 he went to get cigarettes

[@MegaBond101]

@@yses04 no

[@JoeTheDude]

Jesus

[@iliketrees4293]

I have been skiing fir 9 years and I am constantly suggesting to people to try skiing if you are watching this video to decide I highly recommend skiing it is honestly one of the best things in the world to experience and I can’t stress enough how much I love skiing

[@dontbepoor]

This video was SUPER HELPFUL! I went skiing for the first time today and after one trip down the bunny hill, hit the slopes. Skied for 2 hours, didn't fall once, and the tip of skiing back up the hill to slow down saved me. I really appreciate this video. Thanks for posting!

[@LoveJungle420]

What a lovely personality! She must really love what she's doing!

[@kelpyg5932]

Most important part of skiing is stopping

[@heji2743]

Kelpy G yes

[@lubovudenko3514]

No,,,must imortant,right lay dawn

[@mmajunky3232]

Sometimes u just can’t so u fall and pop those skis off

[@giaschmidt8629]

In my opinion, I feel like turning is the most important skill

[@motharonii]

id say the most important parts is yes, stopping and slowing down

[@sachaatv7871]

Great lessons. My knees and ankles are hurting just from watching

[@rob.halpin]

Been boarding for 10+ years, but I was given a set of skis today. Will be going up armed with this knowledge tomorrow. Thanks so much! Wish me luck.

[@aceofspades627]

How'd it go?

[@kelcielomas1888]

Im going skiing for the first time this weekend. I usually snowboard. This was very helpfull! Thank you!

[@gustafson907]

my knees hurt watching this

[@mmajunky3232]

U don’t really feel it cuz the boots put you in that position. L u will be so sore the next day so stretch

[@lindacali4454]

Had a manic episode and decided to ski in Lillehammer. Thank you for helping me not break my face

[@dawnmiller7881]

A great video! This is a great refresher. I took a lesson two weeks ago after previously only skiing once in Vermont fifteen years ago. I have my second ski lesson next week. I’ll watch this video again before I hit the mountain.

[@factsandmyths885]

I’m glad that I found this video. Gonna try my first ever skiing experience this weekend. This video made me feel confident. Thank you. Great instructions.

[@absterps]

Used to ski all the time when I was a kid (supposedly I was the best in my family, but that was a long time ago)…it’s been a solid decade since then and I definitely needed this refresher before I go tomorrow LOL

[@rei]

Awesome! We're happy to provide a refresher, and we bet you'll remember a lot once you get out there. We wish you a wonderful day on the slopes! 🎿

[@TitilayosFamilyAdventures]

We just had our first indoor ski lesson,can't wait to go on a ski holiday

[@mkangel1937]

Thanks! These tips will be useful when I go on my field trip!

[@katiemaltos8806]

Watching this while I’m at the ski resort bc I’ve never done it before & my bf doesn’t have the patience to teach me 🥲

[@karlichan3199]

Get a new bf girl😕

[@sovereign775]

Seriously, new bf is needed if he doesn't care enough to teach you!

[@katiemaltos8806]

Y’all are crazy 🤣

[@thamlissesgonzales2607]

Went to ski today for the first time. This video was the key to my success.

[@patrickobeirne1600]

Watching this in Saalbach Austria after an eventful 1st day "skiing ". Every WORD of this is GOLD!!

[@muddbrinigar]

Robin! This is wonderful! You are very clear and have covered the basics! I cannot thank you enough!!!

[@chrishinesley7475]

Very straightforward and easy to understand....fantastic video!

[@mikewatt8706]

thanks for those tips. i tried to ski 25 years ago in finland and it was a disaster. i had no idea what i was doing. lol. but now i understand that i must learn the basics first and do it slowly. i have a buddy living near the swiss apls who invited to go skiing this season so with your tips i feel more confident. thanks

[@rei]

Wow, that's awesome! You'll make memories that last a lifetime on this adventure. ⛷️🙌

[@missmedieval]

That was a great refresh!! I haven't skied in many years but I'm taking my little girl out and want to teach her some basics! Thank you!!

[@sarahhartmann8162]

Watching this to learn before my first vacation

[@flap_jaack]

Anyone else skiing in like 12 hours 😂

[@nl-nolimits9061]

Broo no way

[@electricbanhus]

Me hahaha

[@cooldudepro2363]

Me

[@rutazalite1454]

Thanks! Today i went skiing, This Helped alot! You are the best!😊

[@BearingMySeoul]

2:46 is the understatement of the century. What I need is the video where they explain the PHYSICS of when making a triangle with your legs will or will not stop the trajectory of motion because all it did for me was cause my skis to cross, knocking me straight to the ground! 😭

[@MBTIology]

It will stop the trajectory of motion if you have a wide triangle to ensure resistance which is creates less acceleration and therefore less force. You may have too wide of a triangle if your legs cross

[@BearingMySeoul]

@@MBTIology I'm thinking you'd also need to be on the edge of the ski, no?

[@maisonftm1205]

Hello from France, thank you for this wonderful video. I’m so stressed out, I’m Vietnamese but i live in France, I’ll leaving for holidays with my family skiing in a few days . I’m scared, it will be my first time skiing, can you imagine i’m from a country almost 35.c the whole year 😅hope everyone has a pleasant day

[@michaels_money]

Thanks for teaching me before I went down some Minnesota hills. (No major injuries other than a couple falls and bruises.)

[@TheHammam1989]

Thank you very much ❤ tomorrow is my adventure skiing. I’m so excited.

[@vviiccttoorr]

Going skiing tomorrow for the first time and after watching this video I’m even more pumped

[@rei]

Right on! We hope you have an awesome time, Victor! ⛷️ Thanks for watching. 😄

[@jalalkarimov5754]

perfect instructions, thank you!

[@GuitarJesse7]

Thanks, that was great for my kids to watch before trying.

[@stepheustache377]

I'm going skiing this Sunday at keystone colorado, I'm super excited

[@user-mm2bz5pf9y]

Thank you so much! I recently picked up this sport (self taught) and turning is the biggest challenge I am facing right now, you have just taught me the correct way!

[@rei]

Glad we could help!😀🎿

[@emmfickle8978]

Sorry to tell you but the advice in this video will not help you. It wrong.

[@eitanpaster5692]

Just be aware, beginner skiing technique and intermediate/advanced is completely different. You basically have to relearn how to ski and stop using pizza to stop.

[@feelmeonce3]

Your channel is very informative, thanks for sharing!!! Love from India ❤️

[@msli8ra]

Very clear step by step instructions for beginner 😊

[@iN00bman]

Great tutorial, thanks!

[@oldchannelidk5992]

I ski blacks/blues, but the stance was really informative. When ever I ski I usually wing the stance and it does me pretty well. I already knew how to parrael ski, but not very well and I can jump turn when it gets too steep.

[@baarbaramac]

I'm going skiing for the first time on Saturday, and coming from a tropical country, I'm excited and anxious about it 😅

[@seang2424]

Thank you very clear instructions look foward to my first time sking .merci👍🏼

[@yehoshuaklapisch6230]

Great video! Hope it is going to help in my first skiing next month

[@JohnnyK1]

From Never Ever to linked wedge turns! Great video!

[@VariousLayerz]

THANK YOU FOR THIS CONTENT!

[@Keoki.93]

I’m an expert now. Thanks REI

[@ttm1795]

Such a lovely lady. You can tell she enjoys her job

[@GustavoParada]

i will ski tomorrow for my first time in 40 years. Thank you for the lesson :D O Brasil vai invadir a neve!

[@rei]

Good luck tomorrow!

[@XYZ-ng9tf]

Thank you for sharing ❤

[@NELSONG12]

Awesome. Thank you

[@mrcakey8012]

Who else is watching this because they forgot how to ski

[@soniasetey]

is it even possible to forget it, tho?

[@tom-fk2zy]

sonia nah you’ll pick it up again in a day

[@JoeMama-ci9bd]

No, it’s because i can’t ski

[@alexanderpetridis1402]

​@@soniasetey I think it is like riding a bike. hard to forget right?

[@TheBitcoinExperience]

@@soniasetey if you haven't done it in 10 years like me it is 😅

[@lavalady5097]

Thank you for this video. Cannot wait to get started

[@rei]

Glad you found it helpful! Let us know how it goes. ⛷️

[@user-kt1no7yx1u]

Tysm! I'm intermediate/advanced but it's been forever since I've went, so a little refresher would be nice before I went again

[@ospreyoutdoors673]

Amazing video as always REI 👍🏼

[@ujika8164]

I went skiing today.This tutorial helped a ton.Guys,skiing is thrilling

[@svetcovladich9996]

Excellent teaching! 😊

[@ianolivers950]

this is helpful!

[@maromaalonzo7689]

I think this is simple and more elaborate explanation.

[@heji2743]

ma roma alonzo it has to be elaborate there’s a lot to say in a 10 minute video

[@JackBosphorus]

Your video very encouraging thank you.🙏🙏😊

[@mzbdigital]

thank you for your help

[@soujirou86]

awesome thanks !

[@rajas1432]

Nice and simple illustration 👌 ❤

[@keelyobrientyson2676]

Awesome insructor

[@fattipsy1761]

Thank you for this Video❤ i’m skiing this 23rd of Dec and definitely a beginner😅

[@alexisbidwill8065]

I was supposed to go the 23rd but Illinois got way too cold. Going today :)

[@MakoZilla]

I'm going skiing tomorrow :D

[@BecomeMonke]

Excited for my first ski this afternoon

[@rei]

Enjoy it!!

[@summithouse3719]

So necessary and what great ideas! Much appreciated. Stay healthy.

[@bat8559]

To the people just starting, TAKE A LESSON. You would not believe how much it helps even intermediate - advanced skiiers. Learning for a video is harder than actually having somewhere there, watching your flaws. Yes, you can learn your basics without paying but you can't have anybody watching you, telling you your mistakes.

[@brandonceplecha5692]

Definitely needed this! Heading out for my first skiing trip right now!

[@libbad7419]

I went recently. Every turn felt my ankles were being crushed

[@davideldred.campingwilder6481]

Excellent teacher.

[@rei]

An excellent teacher indeed, thanks for watching!

[@weibop6565]

Great instructor

[@addiepatty1788]

thank you!

[@Trini84818]

If you french fry when you are supposed to pizza, you're gonna have a bad time! Sorry, I couldn't help it!

[@lulusantiago4259]

@Tom Steeper 🥴🤣🤣🤣

[@winkwest7166]

Stan darsh!!!

[@r1ckyspan1sh88]

I was hoping to see this comment🤣

[@baltisha6706]

Very helpfull video thank you

[@cinemainsymphony737]

Thanks for this! Off to Megeve for my first trip in 13 days time!

[@jeremispetre1988]

Best ski instructor videos on the net.

[@rei]

Thanks, Petre! We appreciate it.

[@johnr8013]

Going skiing for the first time in about 3 hours so this was helpful and it should be interesting to see how I do lol. Probably gonna fall a lot more than her.

[@shrug155]

Howd u do?

[@samantha__2742]

Yeah how’d it go lol

[@vegan753]

Don't leave us in suspense!

[@hexerei02021]

@@shrug155 He died

[@Manu-xy9rf]

Im going to skii in 2 weeks just watching this video to know some basic things thanks.

[@raminaouchi7184]

Thank you so much.

[@nikka238]

I am going to first ski on this Sunday.

[@re-tw6nh]

thanks :D i’m going on a skiing trip tomorrow and i got no idea how to ski but i think i’m more prepared

[@julianamoraes7024]

Amazing!

[@ladystarart888]

Great work👋🏻🇨🇭🙏🏿

[@valentinanavarro9970]

I am going skiing the day after my birthday and it is coming up and l am so excited

[@Brokid81]

I snowboarded a bunch last year and got pretty decent at that. I'm skiing for the 1st time tomorrow. I just stopped enjoying snowboarding. I don't care for getting off the lift only strapped into one binding. I'm really hoping I like skiing. I'm cautiously optimistic I'll be decent at it. But I guess I'm gonna find out pretty quick!

[@Wromance]

Thank you! ;)

[@Jokamutta]

What a great video! Wish I saw this before trying to teach my gf and then it didn't go so well ;D

[@VariousLayerz]

AWESOME!