Downhill Skiing
Insider Info
What could be more exciting than feeling the rush of racing down a mountain
on skis as the brisk air hits your face? Recreational skiers say going downhill
can really lift their spirits.
Downhill skiing is different than cross-country skiing and other types
of skiing. In a typical ski run, there can be jumps, turns, even patches of
ice to navigate! And skiers can really reach some fast speeds. Downhill skiing
is also commonly referred to as alpine skiing.
First off, what's the difference between recreational downhill skiing and
competitive downhill skiing? "I think there's a big difference," says Mike
Kucherawy, a financial consultant and recreational downhill skier. "The pros
can give their undivided focus to their sport because not only is it their
passion, but it's their job. Most of us will only ski recreationally, and
I'm okay with that.
"It's very gratifying to take off for the weekend with a few friends and
enjoy hitting the slopes," he continues. "There's nobody to impress, nobody
to beat down the hill and nobody to disappoint. We just go at our own pace.
You still get a bit of a chill down your spine or a rush when you push your
own limits on the mountain."
"Well, the difference is quite a bit," says Britt Janyk. She is now a very
successful competitive skier. "I basically train full time for the sport and
am always focused on how I can improve, and really it's like a job. I have
tons of fun doing it and really enjoy the dedication that it takes to be a
top downhill skier."
And luckily, it's easy to know where to start when you first hit the mountains.
That's because most mountains have designated areas for each level of skier,
as Nate Chenenko, student and co-president of a skiing and snowboarding club,
explains.
"The mountains are separated: there's the green circle, which is for beginners.
Those are the easiest ones," he says. "The blue square is intermediate, and
the black diamond is the expert run. So if you're just getting started, the
green circles are the place to go.
"A lot of the bigger mountains have an entire section, just a flatter yet
steep section of the mountain, that is mostly beginner runs, with slow chairlifts
and a lot of ski patrol and a lot of instructors around. That's definitely
the place to get started."
It's also a great idea to take lessons at first. While you could just go
for it on the easiest run a couple times, experienced skiers suggest getting
some pro advice first.
"I would definitely recommend taking lessons from the pro ski instructors,"
says Chenenko. "It's kind of a tough choice, but the best bet is probably
to strap the skis on and go take a few runs, then take a lesson. I don't think
I would suggest an entire first day without taking a lesson, because it might
get frustrating for some people."
Janyk says she hasn't experienced any barriers as a female in skiing. Both
in her recreational days and her competitive skiing, she finds the sport welcomes
females and males alike.
"I don't think there is a gender barrier at all," she says. "The women
are just as strong as the men in alpine racing."
"I've never experienced a gender barrier," agrees Chenenko. "Although
most of my ski instructors tend to be male, I think on the hill it's pretty
much 50/50 male and female."
Not only is skiing a sport which welcomes everyone, it promises fun times
ahead. And it's not only with the skiing itself, because the good times continue
afterwards.
"It's mainly a fun atmosphere," says Kucherawy. "You might have heard the
expression 'après ski' before. This translates into 'after skiing.' There's
a lot to do after the lifts close for the day: tell stories and chat about
your favorite run, that race that you had with your friend, or that cool jump
you hit on your last run."
Just remember that it is important to keep your skill level in mind. If
you try to tackle a course that is beyond your skill level, it could get dangerous.
And you don't want that!
"It can be a dangerous sport if you attempt to ski beyond your ability,"
says Kucherawy. "Always ski in-bounds and obey the signs. There are also ski
patrols out on the mountain to help those who need it."
"There is definitely danger in the sport, and injuries are inevitable,"
says Janyk. "But for a recreational skier, I think it is a pretty safe sport.
It's great to take lessons, learn your limits and then just go out and have
fun."
Chenenko disagrees with the idea of injuries in downhill skiing being inevitable.
"I think it is one of the more dangerous sports," he admits, "but if you
know what you're doing and have a good idea of your surroundings and general
level of safety... I've never had any serious injuries and I ski quite frequently."
Getting Started
To start with, get in touch with a local recreational skiing club. They
can help arrange trips to the nearest mountain, as well as help you out with
renting equipment.
"For the beginners, you can rent all the equipment at the mountain," says
Kucherawy. "All you need to bring is a ski jacket, ski pants, gloves, hat
and maybe some ski goggles."
"Some people get turned off by the sport because they're too cold," says
Chenenko. "But I've personally found that even if you don't have the best
gloves or socks or some of the best equipment, if you can keep your upper
body really warm, then your hands and feet don't get cold as easily."
Janyk laughs when she talks about how much equipment a competitive skier
has to lug around. But she says a beginner just needs rented equipment and
"the courage to throw yourself down the ski hill at high speeds -- that helps."
And for those wondering if physical handicaps can create limitations on
the mountain, like a lot of sports these days, skiing can truly be for everyone.
"There are physical limitations if you allow them to be there," says Janyk.
"We have a world-class disabled ski team and it is absolutely amazing what
they can do on a sit ski and on one ski."
"Depending on the facility on the mountains, I'd argue that it doesn't
affect someone at all," says Chenenko. "There are even people in wheelchairs,
and they have what's called the mono-ski -- it's basically a chair that attaches
to a ski and it has some form of suspension, so even people who don't have
use of their legs can still go skiing."
Links
Ski Trax
A good skiing magazine
Yamnuska
A listing of some skiing clubs in North America
Suffolk Skidaddlers
Just one example of a recreational ski club
Britt Janyk
Janyk is a competitive skier interviewed for this story
Back to Career Cluster