Children in pink ski clothes and helmets with ears skiing on a snowy slope with a forest in the background

Stöten Magazine

Slalom for beginners

More and more adults want to try slalom, but the first time can be a bit tricky. However, we want to do what we can to give all beginners the best possible slalom experience. This comprehensive guide is therefore perfect for those who want to know more about slalom for beginners!

Trying slalom as an adult

Skiers turn in powder on piste with blue sky and snow swirling up

It's no wonder that the number of first-time slalom skiers is growing. Slalom is a fantastic outdoor activity that is as much a workout as it is an experience. What's more, it's also the perfect opportunity to travel with your family and meet new people. Maybe you think slalom looks difficult? Well, the fact is that slalom can be a bit tricky until you find the rhythm of your own skiing style. But after reading this article, you'll know everything you need to know about slalom for beginners!

Make sure you have the right equipment

The key to a successful first slalom experience is clearly to make sure you have the right equipment. Having equipment that suits you, your skills, and the terrain is important for everyone, not just when it comes to slalom for beginners. That's why we also recommend that you ask for professional help to find the equipment that is best suited to you. For example, you can do this with us in our ski hire.

For example, a professional can make sure that your ski boot fits your foot perfectly and that you have a ski that is suitable for both the surface and your movements. On the other hand, if you don't ski with the right equipment, you won't be able to move in a functional way, which will make your skiing more difficult.

I this one Read more about how to find the perfect slalom ski!

To succeed on the first run, it is important to choose a slope that is not too steep

Skiers in dark clothing make short turns on a ski slope with a snowy background.

How to ride the lift

A lift is obviously a must for getting up the slopes in the first place - unless you want to plummet through the snow all the way up. Despite this, beginners can find the lift a worry in itself. However, if you know which lift to take and which one leads to the right slope, you tend to be a little calmer. One tip is to talk to the lift attendant if you feel unsure. They will be happy to help you get on and can guide you to the right slope. There are many different types of lifts, but the most common are:

Button lift - By far the most common standing lift. The device consists of a pole with a button-like device at the bottom. Either you hold on to the pole or you push the pole, still with your skis on the slope, and let the button lift pull you up.
Anchor lift Unlike the button lift, which is round, this lift device is instead shaped like a T. However, the riding style is roughly the same even on this stand-up lift, because you let the anchor pull you up by having it against the end. In addition, in an anchor lift you can ride two pieces.
Chairlift - As the name suggests, you sit down in this lift instead. They can accommodate anywhere from 2 to 8 people side by side.
Gondola - This is a type of lift that you can step into and thus be protected from both weather and wind. In some gondolas you stand and in others you sit down. They can accommodate anything from 2 to 16 people.

Person slalom skiing in red jacket on sunny, snow-covered ski slope

Here we go - how to learn slalom in 6 steps

Once you've finally made it up the hill, it's finally time to get down. For those of you who feel some hesitation, it may be good to know that you will always get down - one way or another. It doesn't necessarily have to be on slalom skis. To succeed on your first run, it is obviously important that you choose an easy slope that is not too steep. What you then need to think about once you are going down is these 6 steps:

1. stand rather wide-legged

2. Bend your knees and find your balance

3. go straight down at the beginning, do not start turning yet

Next, you need to learn to control your speed and how to turn. Which you can learn through the plough turn. You do it like this:

4. As your speed increases, push your heels out so that the tips of your skis form a plough. The bigger the plough, the more you brake.

5. lean forwards slightly.

When you can easily brake and make a plough, it's time for turns:

6. start from the plough and transfer your body weight to one ski to turn. If you lean to the right, turn to the left.

Once you've mastered the gravity shift, it's just a matter of weaving several turns together, finding your rhythm and whizzing down the hill. In other words, you'll soon be a pro!

In conclusion

Our very last tip when it comes to slalom for beginners is of course to book a instructor. Our ski instructors are professionals and can quickly make sure you are too. Then just venture out on the slopes and enjoy the experience. And hey, remember that we are all beginners at the beginning. See you out there!

Person in orange ski jacket skiing down freshly groomed snow-covered slope with ski poles under blue sky

Snow-covered ski area with mountainside chalets, wide ski slopes and cloudy winter skies

Stöten in brief

Stöten has been voted for several years in a row as Sweden's best ski resort of Freerides readers
There are 50 slopes with different levels of difficulty
There are 45 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, 3 km of which are lit
Stöten is home to Sälen's longest descent - Morsmor's 3060 metre plunge
Pisten Älvan has previously been voted Sweden's best piste
Stöten has been awarded Sweden's best ski resort for families with children

Skiers jumping in park, clear blue sky, mountains and lift in the background.

Stöten Adventure - an adventure for the whole family

Challenge your mates in Stöten Adventure - an area with eight fun adventure courses suitable for riders of all ages. Stöten Adventure includes;

Stöten Cross - a fun and challenging skicross course that includes both jumps and cross-country waves
Speed Freak - a fun and fast-paced race track, perfect for challenging the family
Stöten Snowpark - here you can glide around among jumps, rails and boxes with great music on the speakers
Jibbarena - a fun park in mini format with boxes and rails
Side by Side - challenge your friends to a parallel slalom, first down wins
Vargy's adventure course - our mascot Vargy's own exciting forest trail
Self-timer - the latest addition to the Stöten Adventure, a self-timing course to see who is really the fastest of the bunch