Imagine it’s cold, about 20 degrees, but the sun is shining and there is plenty of snow. Getting outside hasn’t been a priority for the last two weeks. In fact, the only time you’ve spent outside has been going to and from the house and car and then to work. Cabin fever is setting in. Why not try something new? Why not make today the day to learn how to ski? Take the plunge, with the help of the alpine installment of The Bulletin’s winter sports “How to” series.

The idea of sledding down a hill is daunting enough to some, so envisioning standing up on two separate planks and zooming downhill may seem unfathomable.

The truth is, alpine skiing isn’t as hard as is looks. Nor will beginners take on a gigantic hill to start. Most first lessons are spent on relatively flat ground and eventually — if everyone in the lesson is ready — the bunny hill. All novice downhill skiers learn differently, and progress comes at a varying pace. Some pick up the basic skills in as little as half an hour, while for others it may take several hours to master the snowplow and turn maneuvers.

“We recommend lessons on an ongoing basis, depending on the goals of the individual,” says Sam Swerdlow, ski school supervisor at Hoodoo Ski Area. “Everybody progresses at a different rate. Some people are athletic and some people aren’t. We are student oriented. We cater our school and our teaching to each individual student.”

Beginners will find that most Professional Ski Instructor Association-trained coaches and instructors structure lessons in a similar manner. Both Hoodoo and Mt. Bachelor ski school programs are governed by PSIA guidelines. The PSIA Web site (www.psia.org) explains skiing concepts for alpine team training, advising instructors to remember to adjust the skiing focus to different ages groups, equipment types, personal style and desired outcomes. Instructors are continually modifying and adjusting lesson plans to accommodate different skier types in order to bring all members of the lesson up to speed, according to Norm Sturm, snow sports director at Hoodoo.

“For alpine skiing, beginners can expect to learn about equipment, learn how to properly dress to keep themselves warm and dry,” notes Swerdlow. “They learn how to slide, slow down, stop and turn. They’ll also learn the responsibility code for the mountain for safety purposes.”

Typically, the first lesson is a gradual process. Beginners will not be thrown onto skis and then shoved down the hill. Rather, instructors will take the time to familiarize participants with equipment that may feel foreign at first.

First, Swerdlow explains, skiers will walk around in their ski boots and go through walking exercises without the skis. Then they will put one ski on and try stepping and gliding and turning around with that ski. Then they will switch to the other ski, and finally they will try simple exercises with both skis. Learning how to stop also is emphasized in the initial stages of the lesson.

“So when we start people we don’t start them on the chair, we start them on one ski then the other ski,” says Sturm. “We try to make the initial hour nonthreatening so that they build confidence.”

Once beginners have both skis on, they are introduced to some fundamental alpine skiing techniques and maneuvers: “Side stepping, herringbone (like a duck walk), gliding … edging, snowplow, breaking wedge,” says Sturm. “We show them how to stop. Once they are able to stop and make turns to the right and to the left, it’s time to ride up the chair and make many more turns without having to walk.”

Sturm describes the beginner hill at Hoodoo, called Easy Rider: “It is a very gentle slope, same pitch from the top of the lift to the lodge.”

Hoodoo offers beginner adult (age 13 and older) group lessons daily, excluding Wednesdays, beginning at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. First-time skier group-lesson packages cost $55 and include a 90-minute lesson, a lift ticket for Easy Rider beginner chair, and ski rentals. Private lessons are available by reservation every day the mountain is open. In a private lesson, participants have control over who and how many skiers are in the lesson, which instructor they are assigned and how long the lesson lasts. One person, one-hour private lessons cost $60 ($15 for each additional participant) and do not include lift ticket or ski rentals. Hoodoo officials say they anticipate opening the ski area this Friday, pending the arrival of sufficient snow.

At Bachelor, beginner group lessons are offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. The first two-hour lesson is free with the purchase of a full-priced lift ticket ranging from $48 to $66. Ski rentals are available for $20 with the lesson. Private lessons are offered daily, beginning at $90 for an individual one-hour lesson ($100 during holidays). Private lessons do not include rentals or a lift ticket.

Central Oregon Community College offers other options for beginning ski classes: Ski Alpine I and II from Jan. 20 to March 16, every Sunday. All levels of skiing instruction will be available. Tuition is payable to COCC at winter term registration, and additional fees will be payable to Mt. Bachelor on the first day of class. An eight-week session lift ticket and lesson cost is $240 ($200 for the lesson only). Ski rentals are available at a discounted rate. Register by contacting COCC.

Reference YouCanSki.com for a primer on alpine skiing before you take your first lesson.

And get out there soon. There’s nothing to loose.

“Our job is to instill the passion of snow sports to our guests,” says Hoodoo’s Swerdlow. “So with that in mind, our class is going to be structured in a fashion so that the student will have a great time and enjoy themselves.”

(This article was originally published Dec. 11, 2007.)

The Equipment

The skis

Most modern alpine skis are wide and rounded at the tip, narrower toward the binding, and wider toward the back. This design is called a shape ski, and it helps riders carve turns more easily than with the old, straight ski style. Basically, these modern skis react to slight movement. Downhill skis are designed with sharp edges that dig into the snow for better stopping and turning. Poles assist skiers with balance and starting a turn, and they are also handy for gaining momentum on

flat ground.

The Poles

Poles assist skiers with balance and starting a turn, they are also handy for gaining momentum on flat ground.

The bindings

Binding systems allow ski boots to connect with the skis. Quality bindings adjust at the toe and heel to fit various boot sole lengths so that the boot is centered on the ski. Clicking into the bindings is simple: Step the toe of the boot in and push down on heel, and the release lever will lock the boot into place. Release levers are designed to open under pressure for the skier’s safety during a hard fall. Brakes are connected to the levers to prevent skis from taking a trip down the hill without the skier.

Before you pick out skis

Rental shops will go over equipment details before sending skiers on their way.

Where to rent equipment

Bend

• Aspect, 1009 N.W. Galveston Ave.; 389-4667 (west side store); 425 Windy Knolls Ave., suite 3; 312-1160 (east side store); www.aspectshop.com. One day $26, second day $23, $15 each additional day.

• Skjersaa’s, 130 S.W. Century Drive; 382-2154; www.snowboardbend.com; www.skibend.com; www.RideSKJ.com. One day $25, four days $75.

• Powder House, 311 S.W. Century Drive; 389-6234. One day $26, $23 each additional day.

• Mt. Bachelor, 13000 S.W. Century Drive; 382-2442. One day $30, $32 holiday.

Sunriver

• Chrom Pony Bike & Ski, 1 West Sunriver Mall; 593-2728; www.crom-pony.com. One to two days $28 each day, three to four days $24 each day, $20 a day for five or more days.

• 4 Seasons Recreational Outfitters, 2 Country Mall: 593-2255; www.4sro.com. Half day $16, one day $22, two day $38, three day $50, each additional day is $10.

• The Village Bike Shop and Skis, Building 21, Sunriver Mall; 593-2453; www.villagebikeandski.com. One day $26, $22 each additional day .

• Sunriver Sports, Sunriver Village; 593-8369; www.sunriversports.com. Half day $16, one day $20, two days $35, three days $49, four days $64, five days $79, $14 each additional day.

Sisters

• Eurosport, 182 East Hood Ave.; 549-2471. One day $20.

• Hoodoo Ski Area, U.S. Highway 20; 541-822-3799. Half day $18, one day $24.

Instruction

• Mt. Bachelor ski area, 382-2442; snow report 328-7888; www.mt.bachelor.com.

• Hoodoo Ski Area, 541-822-3799, ski school ext. 6510; www.hoodoo.com.

• Central Oregon Community College, 383-7270; www.cocc.edu.