How To Improve as an Intermediate Skier

1. Consider a New Gear Purchase

I promise you that a shadowy cabal of equipment marketers didn’t compel me to write this tip. Ski gear, whether that’s your boots or the actual skis themselves, will, indeed, make a difference as your skills on the slopes improve. The wrong piece of equipment—and no, I’m not talking about an outdated ski jacket—can be a limiting factor. 

Start With Boots

In the world of ski gear, boots arguably take the most precedence. They function as the interface between a skier and their skis, and if they don’t fit right, they can make sliding down the mountain much more difficult than it needs to be. Start with boots, then consider jumping into the realm of skis. 

Another note on ski boots: Always, always, always visit a brick-and-mortar ski shop before punching in your credit card number. You may know what ski length you need, but boot fitting is an arcane, borderline magical art.

Assessing whether or not a pair of boots will agree with your feet without trying them on in person is impossible unless you’ve purchased that exact make and model in the past. Skilled boot fitters can also hone the fit of any given ski boot, making them perform better and more comfortably.

“Date the skis; marry the boots” is a common refrain among boot fitters. 

Then, Consider Skis

Skis are slightly less serious than boots. You can buy them used or rely on hand-me-downs. They can be beat up. They can have a few previous mounting holes in them. Skis, by design, are meant to withstand the elements and can work quite well, even if they aren’t brand new. 

If you're an intermediate, you may be relying on a previous pair of skis designed for beginners. Skis in this product category tend to be lighter, softer, and shorter. For first-timers, this is perfect, as it makes them easier to ski. But less-hefty skis may not carry you to the next level and generally don’t behave as well in mixed conditions. 

Upgrading your skis is a personal decision. As with boots, though, let the experts guide you. At a shop—or maybe on the slopes during a conversation with a new friend—ask about current product offerings. They can point you in the right direction. Demo days, which are held regularly at many resorts, are another useful tool. They let would-be ski purchasers try out equipment before buying it. 

2. Get in Shape

Skiing is a physical sport, but its taxing nature isn’t quite as obvious as, say, something like running or weightlifting. Unless you’re making a non-stop top-to-bottom run at Whistler Blackcomb, you may not find yourself out of breath on the slopes. Instead, as you get tired, your legs may start to feel like they’re full of lead, making it hard to execute turns and maintain form. 

This challenge becomes more apparent when you head off-piste to tackle harder runs. Many black diamond and above runs aren’t groomed and can have mixed, variable snow that requires more user input.

Even powder—the supposed Holy Grail of skiing—will exhaust your muscles unless it’s feather-light. And when your muscles get exhausted, you won’t ski as well, which might hold you back even if you know, in theory, how your technique should look.

There is a clear solution—spend time getting in shape before the ski season. A basal level of fitness, whether that’s achieved through running, mountain biking, or another summer sport with a cardio bent, will pay dividends.

Ski-specific workouts like leg blasters target the motions you’ll put your body through on the slopes. Strength training that focuses on lower body muscles is another popular form of fitness among avid skiers and is known to help with injury prevention. After all, you can’t get any better at skiing if you’re hurt.

You should regularly move your body before the snow starts falling. How you do so is up to you.

3. Focus on Your Form

This tip applies to skiers of any level: Beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert skiers all have room for improvement. 

Intermediates, however, may be the most likely group to be in the sweet spot where form is increasingly important. On many easier blue and green groomed trails, it’s possible to get down in one piece without perfect or even good form. Because of this, intermediate skiers can carry bad habits for a while until, suddenly, they’re confronted with tough black diamond terrain, making their technique fall apart. 

If you find yourself in this position, you might wonder if you’ve forgotten how to ski. Thankfully, with some hard work and a few smart tweaks, it’s possible to set yourself back on the right course.

You can start by checking out some free online ski coaching content and, afterward, skiing with intentionality. Am I in an athletic position? Have I fallen into the backseat? Where are my hands? Worrying about technique may feel awkward at first, but before long, skiing with the correct body position will become second nature as your muscle memory develops. 

Try a Day or Three of Ski Lessons

Ski lessons aren’t just for beginners. Camps and clinics range in the skill level they’re designed for and, in terms of developing your skiing abilities, are irreplaceable. Nothing beats having a trained professional watching you ski before providing constructive criticism. This way, you can adapt or learn on the fly with immediate feedback, making incremental improvements over the course of a learning session.

4. Ski as Much as You Can

Lessons are a key accelerant in improving as an intermediate skier, but the truth is, the only way to really reach the next level is time. The best skiers in the world have spent hours and hours on the mountain. That perfect carve you spotted from the chairlift is the result of years, if not decades, of practice. So, if you are serious about becoming a better skier, think about visiting your local ski area as often as you can.

Don't let this tip be discouraging. Skiing is, indeed, a lifelong pursuit, but no matter which level you are, the sport should always be fun. And like golf, being in a bad mood doesn’t just interfere with the good times; it can also make skiing tougher than it needs to be.

Here's how I like to think about it: Even when the snow is bad or I'm not feeling myself, I get to go skiing—it's a privilege, not a punishment. Enjoying the ride is the most important thing.