How to start your skiing each winter.
Congratulations you’ve arrived in Zermatt you’ve settled into your accommodation, collected your rental equipment and lift ticket, perhaps grabbed a beer or cocktail and whilst staring at the Matterhorn the reality of skiing again hits you, I’ve actually got to ski!
- Am I physically fit enough to do this?
- Can I remember what to do?
- Where should I go?
Don’t worry all these questions run through every skier’s mind before that first ski day after the summer break, tourists, ski instructors, locals and racers alike.
The goal is to get back to your best skiing as quickly as possible, as that is where the real fun begins.
This is when someone who has never skied before sort of has it simpler as all they must do is get to that lesson meeting point and trust in their ski guru for the allotted time.
Check out Erica’s post Zermatt for beginner skiers
Am I physically fit enough to do this anymore?
Yes and no. We all should and could have done more before the holiday to prepare ourselves, but life gets in the way and it’s very hard in August to think about movements that might help me ski better in February. That time has gone so it’s time to face facts, nobody can sit in an office 99% of their time and then partake in any sport for 5-7 hours for 6 days without feeling tired and maybe some muscle soreness. We must start carefully and not put pressure on ourselves.
Take breaks before the thigh burn is too much, stopping for 20 minutes now and then, so you can ski until 5pm and you can walk around the hotel breakfast buffet in the morning is OK.
We all know stretching after the day and hydrating will help, so you don’t need to be told that, and you also know that stopping at the Hennustall and going on to the Papperla Pub won’t help you in the morning but…. It’s a holiday remember!
And of course, an instructor will help to spot when you need a break and the most efficient and pleasant place to stop.
“You will not ski your best turns ever on your first day back”
Can I remember what to do?
Yes you can and your body will remember. I have skied with people after long breaks from skiing and yes they have changed, older, maybe had children or an injury but the basic skills always come back, it’s just a case of how quickly.
The technique of skiing has not changed soooo much that what you were doing even 20 years ago won’t work today so think of one thing each slope and slowly build back up to the flowing turns you remember. This is not a technical skiing article but…
1. It’s a balance sport! Athletic stance and move.
2. Generally, stand on your outside foot more than the inside. (Left when turning right and vice versa)
3. Round turns (snakes not zig zags)
4. Don’t get faster, after your second turn stay at that speed down the hill whatever the terrain does.
That’s enough technique chat for now.
The main thing is to take it slowly and feel the skis sliding, gripping, twisting, chattering, jumping etc etc.
And of course, any time with an instructor will help.
“You will not ski your best turns ever on your first day back”
Where should I go?
Above all the other factors to getting back to skiing your best this is the most important.
The steepness, width and snow quality of the slope you choose will hugely change the time it takes you to feel comfortable and therefore have fun, which is what this is all about.
Choose a first slope that is a level below your usual standard. If you were ripping black runs then find a red slope and if you were enjoying the challenge of red slope, then go to a wide blue slope to get those good vibes back.
Sunnegga
Sunnegga is the area with a bit of everything. There are slopes from the beginner park all the way up to the black runs like the National (Black 8) and Berter (Black 25) but it is slightly narrower than other areas. This area is slightly lower so the snow can be not as good as the glacier and the end of season can be icy and then slushy.
If last time you were out of the beginner park and maybe just beginning to perform some parallel turns then head here so if you have a blip in confidence there is the beginner park to start in and enjoy some short magic carpet laps to get back into your flow. Then head to Eisflu after grabbing a drink to rest those legs at the self-service.
After Eisfluh (Blue 5) you can then take on the Findeln (Blue 6) run and enjoy a lunch at some of the great restaurants in the valley.
If you are happy on most red runs then maybe have a warmup on Findeln or jump on the “Chubble” to Blauherd and ski back to Sunnegga.
Warning… this has a short steep section which can be missed by taking a path around the Blauherd Steep. This section is solid red steepness but short so if you are feeling good then give it a go! This can all be seen from the lift so try to pick it out on your way up.
For those of you who ski the whole mountain with confidence usually, then start with the red run down to Patrullarve chair (Brunnjeschbord Red 4) and then the Tuftern (Red 9) run.
If you have a group of mixed levels then this is probably the place to go, this is also the best area to head to in bad weather.
Gornergrat
Gornergrat is dominated by a single new chairlift (Gifthittli) which has many wide rolling slopes that all lead back to the chair, so navigation is not a problem. I feel this area is great for a first day or morning for most levels who can just about ski parallel or a very good plough/parallel turn.
Warning… If you go to this area via the train the ski from Gornergrat at the top is quite challenging to start with as it is narrow so for an easier start, get out at Riffelberg and take the chair. The other way to access the area is the Riffelberg Express.
The runs are wide and blue but interesting as they roll even the best skier can have fun carving and really working on small details. The view of the Matterhorn is great and at the end of every run you can choose to have a rest at the self-service or head back up the chair. The scenic Gornergrat train toots past you as you ski and there is an igloo to visit to top it all off.
The red run, or “Big Dipper” (Red 35) as I think only I call it, is a challenging red with huge undulations and real steepness in places. The red run below the chair and finishing in Furi is great but does have narrow sections along it way.
Klein Matterhorn
Trockener Steg or the Glacier as it is often called is an impressive area with incredibly wide runs and views of the Matterhorn (of course), Italy and on a clear day Mont Blanc. The snow is usually very good due to the altitude, but this also can bring wind and low temperatures.
This area is amazing for parallel skiers for that first ski and specifically the skiing from the Furgsattel chair. The slope is wide, has very little camber and flattens out at the end. The downside to this area is that there is nothing easier so a drop in confidence or tiredness can mean a long lift down to switch to Riffelberg.
And of course, an instructor will be amazing at helping with slope choice.
“You will not ski your best turns ever on your first day back”
So in summary….
Be easy on yourself, day one is about having fun, skiing a bit, getting back safely and in a good state to ski tomorrow. Just like the gym, no ego lifting/skiing! Pick up an easier slope and focus on form to make the gains tomorrow.
Any time you can spend with an instructor will help, maybe not at the Papperla Pub! If you are looking for an instructor who knows the place and how to make sure you have a great first day then don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly.
Oh and….
“You will not ski your best turns ever on your first day back”
Ciao for now,
John T
Nov 2025
