A Beginner’s Guide to Skiing: The Journey to Becoming a Good Skier

As the Swiss winter season approaches, the call of skiing invites adventure seekers to embrace the excitement of skiing in the Alps. Yet, a common question lingers: How long does it take to become a good skier? This question often leads to uncertainty. At The Snow Experience Davos, we believe in making things clear and defining "good" skiing as a mix of fun and safety.

What is a “good level” of skiing?

To understand how long it takes to get good at skiing, it's crucial to define what makes a skier "good." In simple terms, a good skier is someone who can enjoy the slopes while ensuring their safety and the safety of others.

Proficiency in skiing means confidently navigating blue and red slopes, while having fun and showcasing safety and responsibility. 

A “good skier” in Davos-Kloster Ski Resort

In the case of the Davos-Kloster Mountains, a good skier should be able to explore the Jakobshorn ski resort, avoiding challenging black runs and returning to the valley via the famous Talfahrt (valley run).

Similarly, on the other side of the Davos, a proficient skier should be able to ride around Parsenn ski area evading the intimidating black runs down Weissfluhgipfel, the ski-lift of Seetäli and the steep black slope back to the village.

How long does it take to become a “good skier”

Becoming a skilled skier involves a personalized journey, influenced by individual learning styles, fitness levels, and mostly unpredictable snow conditions.

While the usual answer to how long it takes to master skiing is a vague "it depends," our experience indicates that, with regular practice over a week (6 days), skiers can expect to handle blue and red slopes confidently.

Initial guidance from a top qualified instructor is vital to build a strong foundation. This structured introduction of ideally one week helps skiers acquire essential skills and techniques under expert guidance. Extensive repetition of the correct movements during a normal ski day (6 hours) will ensure the skier to consolidate the right technique into muscle memory. To sum up, in about 30 to 40 hours of lessons will ensure a skier to achieve the status of “good skier”.

On the other hand, recognizing the significance of solo practice is key in the journey to becoming a proficient skier. After the initial instruction period, self-directed practice allows individuals to reinforce and refine the skills learned during lessons.