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Reservations
For Snow Sports School reservations phone (02) 6459 4044 or click here to emailFor Thredbo Child Care Centre reservations phone 1300 020 589 or click here to email
Beginners tips
Thredbo provides the ultimate setting for learning to ride the mountain
Our Snow Sports instructors are renowned as the best in Australia and Thredbo even has a learn to ski or board guarantee. Thredbo's purpose built beginners area, Friday Flat, is the perfect place to make your first turns as well as take those inevitable first time tumbles.
We have gone out of our way to make learning easy on Friday Flat, creating a slope with a gentle gradient of 12 degrees, which is recognised as the most ideal learning gradient. Beginners on Friday Flat don't even have to battle with those annoying T-Bars, tricky pomas or rope tows. We've built the Easy Does It quad chairlift to transport you up the hill and as the name suggests it's a slow, easy on, easy off chairlift. Another awesome feature is the Snow Runner, which is a bit like an airport baggage carousel. It makes the whole experience a breeze, all you do is step on and cruise to the top of the gentle slope.
A Few Tips For First Timers
Take a lesson
We all have those friends who say “come to the snow, I will teach you, its easy peasy”. Then when they arrive the lure of the snow is too much for them, they lose their patience, you lose your friend, and you’re in the bar while they’re having a blast on the slopes. That’s why you should grab a lesson from the friendly instructors at Thredbo’s Snow Sports School.
Industry research has shown that without a beginner lesson and the guidance of a certified instructor, first timers may become frustrated with the process and choose not to slide the slopes again.
Beginner lessons provide participants with the opportunity to learn new skills and advance at their own pace in a safe, comfortable environment. Many first timers who take a series of lessons will quickly progress to a level which will let them explore most of Thredbo’s exciting terrain.
Dress for success
One of the best tips to make sure you're comfortable in winter weather is to layer your clothing. Start with a layer of polypropylene underwear and then use various layers for warmth and waterproof protection. For example, start with a thermal under layer then add a skivvy, a fleecy vest, a jumper and a waterproof overcoat. When you dress in layers it keeps you warm and dry when it's wet and cold, and it's easy to peel off a few layers when the going gets hot.
Drink up
Drink plenty of fluids - the high altitude can seriously dehydrate you and can lead to headaches. Drink plenty of fluids on your way to the mountains and when you are here and it can really help.
Slip Slop Slap
For every 330 metres you gain in altitude the sun's intensity increases by about 2.5%. So at Thredbo's top elevation at 2037 metres the sun's intensity is about 15% stronger than at sea level. Also, the sun's rays can burn you even on cloudy days, so make sure you use plenty of sunscreen and reapply liberally throughout the day. Don't forget to apply to your ears and the back of your neck, and wear a pair of sunglasses that completely cover your eyes, or goggles if you have them.
Warm it up
It's always a good idea to warm-up with a few simple stretching exercises before you begin any physical activity and this is especially important in the cold. Limber up with a couple of stretches that work your arms, legs, neck and back before you hit the slopes.
Why take a lesson?
A skilled instructor can reduce a lot of the tension associated with taking up a new snow sport. Instructors know all the tricks and will get your snow riding up to speed with a lot less bruises and bumps. In next to no time you'll be linking turns and that's when the fun really begins. Thredbo offers some great learn to ski or snowboard packages that include your rental equipment, a beginner lift ticket and your accommodation.
Gear for Skiers
Skis - yep, they are important. The hourglass shape of the new skis makes them easier to turn. The new ski designs are shorter and fatter than they've ever been before and make learning really easy. Boots consist of a plastic outer shell with a soft bladder inside. They should sit fairly snugly with room to wiggle your toes. Bindings connect your boots to your skis. All you have to do is step in them to put them on. Modern bindings will automatically release when you fall to minimise the risk of getting hurt. Stocks are the long sticks skiers hold in their hands. They help with balance and are used for pushing to gain speed. They are also handy for helping you get up after falling over.
Gear for Snowboarders
The latest snowboards are light and very easy for beginners to control. Boots are much like your regular après boots but are a little stiffer to give you support on the hill. Bindings - some snowboard bindings you just step in and go, others you need to strap your foot in with a simple fastening mechanism.
We have gone out of our way to make learning easy on Friday Flat, creating a slope with a gentle gradient of 12 degrees, which is recognised as the most ideal learning gradient. Beginners on Friday Flat don't even have to battle with those annoying T-Bars, tricky pomas or rope tows. We've built the Easy Does It quad chairlift to transport you up the hill and as the name suggests it's a slow, easy on, easy off chairlift. Another awesome feature is the Snow Runner, which is a bit like an airport baggage carousel. It makes the whole experience a breeze, all you do is step on and cruise to the top of the gentle slope.
A Few Tips For First Timers
Take a lesson
We all have those friends who say “come to the snow, I will teach you, its easy peasy”. Then when they arrive the lure of the snow is too much for them, they lose their patience, you lose your friend, and you’re in the bar while they’re having a blast on the slopes. That’s why you should grab a lesson from the friendly instructors at Thredbo’s Snow Sports School.
Industry research has shown that without a beginner lesson and the guidance of a certified instructor, first timers may become frustrated with the process and choose not to slide the slopes again.
Beginner lessons provide participants with the opportunity to learn new skills and advance at their own pace in a safe, comfortable environment. Many first timers who take a series of lessons will quickly progress to a level which will let them explore most of Thredbo’s exciting terrain.
Dress for success
One of the best tips to make sure you're comfortable in winter weather is to layer your clothing. Start with a layer of polypropylene underwear and then use various layers for warmth and waterproof protection. For example, start with a thermal under layer then add a skivvy, a fleecy vest, a jumper and a waterproof overcoat. When you dress in layers it keeps you warm and dry when it's wet and cold, and it's easy to peel off a few layers when the going gets hot.
Drink up
Drink plenty of fluids - the high altitude can seriously dehydrate you and can lead to headaches. Drink plenty of fluids on your way to the mountains and when you are here and it can really help.
Slip Slop Slap
For every 330 metres you gain in altitude the sun's intensity increases by about 2.5%. So at Thredbo's top elevation at 2037 metres the sun's intensity is about 15% stronger than at sea level. Also, the sun's rays can burn you even on cloudy days, so make sure you use plenty of sunscreen and reapply liberally throughout the day. Don't forget to apply to your ears and the back of your neck, and wear a pair of sunglasses that completely cover your eyes, or goggles if you have them.
Warm it up
It's always a good idea to warm-up with a few simple stretching exercises before you begin any physical activity and this is especially important in the cold. Limber up with a couple of stretches that work your arms, legs, neck and back before you hit the slopes.
Why take a lesson?
A skilled instructor can reduce a lot of the tension associated with taking up a new snow sport. Instructors know all the tricks and will get your snow riding up to speed with a lot less bruises and bumps. In next to no time you'll be linking turns and that's when the fun really begins. Thredbo offers some great learn to ski or snowboard packages that include your rental equipment, a beginner lift ticket and your accommodation.
Gear for Skiers
Skis - yep, they are important. The hourglass shape of the new skis makes them easier to turn. The new ski designs are shorter and fatter than they've ever been before and make learning really easy. Boots consist of a plastic outer shell with a soft bladder inside. They should sit fairly snugly with room to wiggle your toes. Bindings connect your boots to your skis. All you have to do is step in them to put them on. Modern bindings will automatically release when you fall to minimise the risk of getting hurt. Stocks are the long sticks skiers hold in their hands. They help with balance and are used for pushing to gain speed. They are also handy for helping you get up after falling over.
Gear for Snowboarders
The latest snowboards are light and very easy for beginners to control. Boots are much like your regular après boots but are a little stiffer to give you support on the hill. Bindings - some snowboard bindings you just step in and go, others you need to strap your foot in with a simple fastening mechanism.
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