Europe is one of the top go to destinations for skiing. Whether you’re looking for indoor skiing or outdoor skiing, you will find the best facilities here. It’s no surprise that this continent has played host to Winter Olympic Games 13 times since its inception in 1924.

We take a look at 5 of the best places to go skiing while you’re in Europe.

#1 Zermatt in Switzerland

Switzerland, the home of the Swiss Alps is undoubtedly one of the best skiing destinations in the world with some of the most picturesque ski towns as well as villages. The only downside is that they are supper expensive. Zermatt which is located in the Swiss canton of Valais, which is close to the Italian border, is one of the places that truly stand out. There are three interconnected skiing zones on the Swiss side of the border and two additional ones on the Italian side of the border which offer skiers the best experience. This is a place that both beginners will relish as it provides room for endless cruising thanks to its beautiful slopes, and pro skiers will appreciate the thrill of 7,000 feet of vertical drops.

#2 Chamonix in France

Chamonix in France offers another wonderful experience for skiers. Some have actually christened it as the Mecca for skiing aficionados. Visitors here love that fact that this terrain is rugged which makes the skiing experience here unpredictable and thrilling. Pro skiers get to enjoy up to 9,000 feetof vertical drops.

#3 Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy

The town of Cortinad’Ampezzo in Italy is a renowned destination that attracts thousands of visitors annually from around the world thanks to its amazing ski slopes in a scenic landscape. One of the best things skiers will appreciate is the fact that the ski slopes here are not as crowded as many others across Europe thereby allowing them to fully enjoy their skiing experience.

#4 Innsbruck in Austria

Innsbruck which is located in the state of Tyrol in Austria is a region that offers some of the best skiing destinations for pro skiers. However, there are a couple of dedicated areas meant for beginners and also children. This is also home to Hafelekarrinne which is one of the steepest runs in Europe, as well as Patscherkofel which is based around the downhill course of the Olympic.

#5 Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany

The town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany is another popular skiing destination and it was once hosted the Winter Olympic Games. It has earned its spot as a go to skiing destination especially for pro skiers because its home to Mt. Zugspitze which is the tallest mountain in Germany which offers downhill runs of up to 75 miles and all have varying difficulty levels.

Once you feel as though you have mastered indoor skiing and you’re looking to take your skiing outdoors, these skiing destinations in Europe will offer you some of the best skiing experiences ever.

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Skiing is a fun recreational and sports activity however it comes with a number of risks to the skier for one reason or the other. It may be because of failure to follow the proper rules or just a freak accident.

We take a look at 5 of the most common skiing injuries.

#1 Knee injuries

One common mistake many skiers make is failing to protect their knees. In many cases, their feet and ankles will be protected by their boots but they will not have protective gear for their knees. This therefore means that their knees are exposed to lots of pressure as they ski on the snow surface thereby increasing chances of knee injuries. The most common of these knee injuries will be an injury to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL).

#2 Hand injuries

Arm injuries are actually the most common skiing injuries account for about 75 per cent of all skiing related injury cases. The common reasons for these injuries, being skiers attempting to break their fall using their hands and, attempting to hold on to their ski poles while they are falling down. They will then sustain injuries in any part of the hand including wrists and fingers.

#3 Leg injuries

Leg injuries mainly involve sprains on the ankle which mainly occur when a skier does not ensure that their ankles are properly centered especially when a sudden abrupt movement is made. This results in the ankle getting twisted thereby resulting in an injury. Other leg injuries include leg fractures or leg breaks through these have significantly declined as a result of good safety gear.

#4 Head injuries

Whereas the number of fatal injuries related to skiing are low thanks to the safety measures that have been put in place, the fatalities that have occurred were mainly as a result of head trauma. This mainly occurs when skiers fall and bump their heads while they were skiing at a high speed. The numbers of such incidents are however low because more and more skiers have been embracing helmets.

#5 Shoulder injuries

During falls many skiers will suffer shoulder injuries such as shoulder dislocations. These injuries become more common to those who have suffered from them before because supporting tissues in the shoulder keep weakening every time a person suffers from such an injury.

There are of course other types of injuries but these 5 are the most common. It has however been proven that skiers who put in place all the necessary safety precautions have a much lower chance of suffering from them. Skiers are encouraged to seek medical treatment anytime they suffer from any form of injury and avoid self-medicating.

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Skiing is a fun, thrilling and adrenaline packed activity that has attracted many participants globally. As is the case with any activity of this nature, precautions must always be taken to protect participants from any potential dangers they may be exposed to.

Whether you are a beginner or a professional you can never get too good to practice safety. We take a look at 5 key essential skiing safety guidelines.

You must always ensure that you are fully equipped

Considering the speeds, the terrain and the stunts you may want to perform whether doing indoor skiing or outdoor skiing, it’s paramount to have the right skiing gear, from your ski gloves,to your boots, to the ski helmet and ski goggles among many others. This gear will help protect you from common injuries or lessen their impact.

You must always take good care of your skiing gear

Just like any other equipment you use, your skiing gear also requires good care. You don’t want to be going down a slope with loose skis or gloves that don’t have a good grip. In the event there are changes such as in your level of proficiency, weight and so on, ensure that you make the necessary adjustments to your equipment. If you make a mistake and overlook some of these factors, you may end up negatively affecting your skiing experience.

Ensure you’re at the top of your game

Skiing requires an excellent level of physical fitness in order to pull it off therefore you must ensure that you’re at the top of your game physically to enable you enjoy the skiing experience. Never treat skiing like an activity you do out of the blue, you must prepare well for it including doing the necessary warm up activities before you hit the slopes.

Always know your limits

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, it’s always important to be well aware of what your limits are. There is usually the temptation to try something new just because you’ve seen someone else do it however, if you know you haven’t mastered a particular skill, you better not attempt to do it. It may actually be the difference between life and death.

Always follow the set rules

Whether your indoor skiing or outdoor skiing, there are rules set to protect you and every other skier therefore never disregard these rules. Anything that is off limits must be respected because there is a reason it’s so. Personal discipline and etiquette will be very important.

All in all, ensure you have fun. These essential guidelines are simply meant to ensure that you have the right kind of fun.

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One of the best ways of becoming a good skier is starting while you are still young. The more the years you have to practice and hone your skills the better you will be. It’s for this reason that manufactures of skis have them ready even for kids.

If you are a parent looking to introduce your kids to skiing, here are a couple of tips on how to choose the right skiing gear for them to ensure they have the best learning experience.

Buy skis based on their level of level of experience

When purchasing skis for your kids, it’s very important to keep in mind their level of experience. Generally, if your kid is a beginner and you buy them skis meant for a more experienced skier, it will impede their learning process. Manufacturers specifically design skis meant for beginners as they help enhance the learning process because they are easier to handle.Skis meant for kids at an advanced level will be much harder to handle because they require better technique.

Choose the correct ski size

To get the correct ski size for your child, it’s important to factor their height and weight as this determines their correct ski size. Be sure to use the correct size chart especially if you are ordering the skis online so that you don’t order a size that is either too small or too large. Most online stores will have a size chart available for you to reference.

Consider the type of skiing they want to do

You should take time and find out the type of skiing you child is interested in so that you can buy them skis that will enable them perfect their skill. You should also bear in mind that they go with skill level. For instance, if your child is still a beginner and they enjoy downhill skiing, you need to buy junior race skis. As they advance you need to buy them skis that have a stiffer flexing. If your child is into freestyle skiing, you can go for twin tip skis that will enable them perform stunts more comfortably.

Consider the brand

The beauty about skis is that most ski stores will take the initiative of stocking reputable brands therefore as a customer you can trust on their judgment. It’s however important for you to familiarize yourself with the various brands so that you have an idea of what you’re looking for while at the store. You will also get an opportunity to go through customer reviews to verify whether these brands fit their billing.

Before you make any purchase, ensure your child gets to test the skis to ensure they are comfortable and they can enable them perform at their best.

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When making the decision to ski, it’s important to learn how to choose the right ski blades as this will determine whether your skiing experience will be awesome or problematic. It’s a known fact that skis don’t work the same for all skiers as each one has to get skis that are suited specifically for them based on their height, weight, and other preferences.

Here are 5 factors to consider when choosing your blades.

Your skiing background

The type of ski blades you choose will be heavily be influenced by your skiing background. Generally, people who have had some form of experience with roller blades will often prefer skiing with smaller ski blades. Whereas people with no skating background will often be more comfortable using larger ski blades.

Your height and weight

These particular factors are still the subject of debate as skiers are not in agreement whether a person’s height or weight will have any influence on the ski size they use. Many professional skiers however are of the opinion that if you choose a specific set of blades that are suited for your specific height and weight, you are likely to have a better skiing experience. Another school of thought however believes blades have no impact on a skier’s height or weight. To emphasize this point, is the fact that there are tall skiers who prefer short blades as well as short skiers who prefer long blades. It’s generally advisable for you to experiment with different blades so that you can identify your perfect fit.

The type of snow you intend to ski on

The type of snow you are going to ski on will definitely have a direct impact on the blades you choose as it determines whether you will ski smoothly, experience imbalance or even get stuck. Generally, shorter blades are best suited for fresh corduroy snow and longer blades suited for carved crud snow.

The type of binding

Generally, there are two types of binding in ski blades, the release binding and the non-release binding. The former usually releases in case a skier falls and is best suited for beginners as it helps protect them from injuries during awkward falls. The later however does not release and is therefore suited for more experienced skiers who prefer to have more sturdiness.

Your own individual skiing style

The type of skiing you enjoy doing will also influence the type of blades you opt for. For instance, large blades will support more extreme skiing and tough mountain terrain as well as skiing tricks. Because of their length, they support more speed and provide a larger surface area for much smoother landings. On the other hand, smaller ski blades will best suite you if you prefer skiing on moderate slopes and slower speeds because their size limits speed and enhances maneuverability.

It’s ultimately advisable for you to test the blades out before determining which one will suit you best. Consider hiring out skiing gear while you are still a beginner to avoid spending money on blades that may ultimately not be the correct type for you.

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Skiing is not only a sport but also a fun activity that has grown in popularity over the years. The fact that it’s no longer just an outdoor activity and can be done indoors by both adults and kids has increased its popularity globally. Whether you’re doing indoor skiing or doing it outdoors, there are different types of skiing you can choose from. All will require different skiing gear and skiing techniques.

Here are 4 types you can choose from.

#1 Waterskiing

Waterskiing has been a sport growing in popularity since its invention in 1922. Here, the skier is pulled behind a boat using a towline or a cable as they skim through the surface of the water at speeds of about 20 miles per hour. The sport requires excellent body control, muscular endurance, as well as lower and upper body strength. You also need to be a pretty good swimmer.

#2 Freestyle skiing

Freestyle skiing involves plenty of stunts and tricks, therefore, this is the thing for you if you’re inclination is on such things. Many people see it as unsafe therefore you must be fully aware what you are getting yourself into if you opt for this type of skiing. Initially, this was not considered as a sport but, today there are several athletes globally who are doing it professionally and competitively. The skier’s ability to perform the best tricks determines how they rank globally.

#2 Alpine Skiing

Just as the name suggests, the skier does the skiing on an alpine as they glide down downhill along a snow-covered hill or mountain. Here the skiers mostly use long skis. This type of skiing initially started as just a recreational activity but today it’s a sport activity that is done professionally including during the winter Olympics. This skiing is similar to cross-country skiing however with a few minor differences such as the type of terrain where each is done as well as the skiing gear used. The best alpine skiing resorts in the UK reside in Scotland and include the world famous Glenshee and Glencoe. If you are planning a skiing holiday in Scotland it is a good idea to get in touch with a luxury Scottish tour company.

#3 Freestyle skiing

Freestyle skiing involves plenty of stunts and tricks therefore, this is the thing for you if you’re inclination is on such things. Many people see it as unsafe therefore you must be fully aware what you are getting yourself into if you opt for this type of skiing. Initially, this was not considered as a sport but, today there are several athletes globally who are doing it professionally and competitively. The skier’s ability to perform the best tricks determines how they rank globally.

 #4 Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing sometimes referred to as the Nordic skiing draws its origin in Norway where it simply started as a mode of transport. It was later transformed into a recreational activity and later into a sport which has become popular globally. As mentioned above, this type of skiing is done on a flat terrain.

Before deciding on what type of skiing will best suite you, it’s advisable to try them all. The beauty about indoor skiing is that it will enable you to try out all these types of skiing therefore by the time you decide to go do it outdoors you will definitely know where your passion lies.

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Skiing is one of the best past time activities in the world and can be very rewarding especially if it’s done professionally. Just like any other sport, skiing has its own set of slang that you must purpose to learn if you intend on interacting with and fitting in with more seasoned skiers.

We’ll look at 11 of the modern day ski slang that you should be aware of.

Après-ski

Après-ski is the term used to indicate that the day is over and it’s now time for drinks or any other activity to unwind such as hitting the club and listening to good music.

Backcountry

When you hear skiers talking about going to ski in the backcountry, keep in mind that this is a place only for the pros and not for beginners. This is the kind of terrain that is away from the huge crowds of people and is only suited for the expert skier. In many cases, skiing here is usually at the skier’s own risk.

Bail

In skiing, the term bail is used to mean that a skier has taken a tumble and fallen to the ground.

Base

When you hear the term base being used in skiing, it may mean three things. The first is the underneath of a ski, the second is to mean the main area at the bottom of a ski resort, andthe third is the overall depth of snow.

Bomber

This is a term used to describe a skier who is flying down a slope in an out of control fashion.

Brain bucket

This is a term used to refer to a helmet.

Chatter

The term chatter is used to refer to the vibration of the ski whena skier is traveling at a high speed. Usually, excessive chatter will reduce the contact between the ski and the snow thereby affecting the skier’s ability to remain in total control.

First tracks

The term first track refers to when a skier cuts through fresh snow before anyone else does, and this leaves behind a trail for the other skiers to see. If you do this as a skier, you better take a picture just for bragging rights.

Freestyle

In skiing, freestyle mainly refers to the type of skiing that is focused on doing tricks.

French fries

The term French fries doesn’t actually refer to food. When it comes to skiing, it refers to skiing while your skis are parallel to one another.

Gnar

Gnar which is a short form for the word gnarly, basically means that the skiing experience is pretty high on its scale of dangerousness as well as coolness. You better not attempt it if you’re a beginner.

These are just a few slang words that you will come across but there are many more. Be sure to familiarize yourself and memorize all of them so that you are not left confused while on the slope.

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If you are looking to get into the exciting activity of skiing, there are a couple of things you should know as they will help make your experience much more fun as well as affordable. Whether it’s indoor skiing or outdoor, these 3 things will benefit you tremendously.

It’s cheaper to rent skiing gear

If you haven’t decided yet whether skiing is going to be a full time activity for you, then you better consider renting as opposed to buying your skiing gear because it’s much cheaper. Buying your own gear especially if you’re not going to use it frequently will be a waste of your money. Whereas it may be awesome to have your own gear, it’s often too costly and cumbersome to transport.

You better invest in lessons

Even professionals in skiing have trainers so why not you a beginner? It’s very important for you to invest in some skiing lessons before you hit the slopes if you intend on having a really rewarding experience. You will find these lessons available at any indoor skiing facility and you can learn a couple of skiing techniques before finally heading to an outdoor mountain slope.

Don’t overwhelm yourself with expectations

Generally, when people have too many expectations, they feel pressured to achieve them all and this can interfere with a person’s ability to enjoy the experience as long as they feel like their expectations were not met. Therefore, try not to overwhelm yourself with expectations and go for your skiing experience with an open mind.

Lastly, it’s advisable to go indoor skiing as your first experience as it will be more rewarding. Here, you are more likely to find many beginners like you in addition to the fact that it’s less intimidating in comparison to real mountain slopes.

Be sure to ski a couple of times before you finally make a decision as to whether this is an activity for you.

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For a long time, skiing has been a really good outdoor activity as well as a sport. However, many people couldn’t join in the fun because they didn’t have access to mountains. This is why indoor skiing has been developed to give everyone an opportunity to enjoy this activity.

Here are a couple of benefits of indoor skiing.

It’s the best place for a beginner

If you are a beginner in skiing then an indoor ski slope is the best place for you to start learning. This is because it’s a controlled environment therefore you won’t be exposed to risks such as those on mountain slopes.

It’s the best place for training

Whether you are a beginner or an expert, an indoor ski provides one of the best places for training. The fact that it’s a controlled environment plus it has a number of differently designed slopes allows you to test out some of your moves and tricks before heading out to real mountain slopes. In addition, as you practice in the enclosed environment, your instructor or coach can be able to keep a closer eye on you thereby being able to instantly correct your technique and this will help improve your practice as well as performance.

You’re not limited by time

Many indoor ski slopes allow people to ski late into the night all week long. This is a limitation that outdoor mountain slopes have as you can only ski during the day when visibility is good.

You’re not limited by seasons

The main limitation about mountain slopes is that you are limited by seasons – you can only ski during snow season. With indoor skis however you have the ability to ski all year long because it’s not limited by season. The facility usually uses artificial ice.

We trust that you’ll be better informed the next time you are weighing the pros and cons of indoor and outdoor skiing.

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