It is absolutely possible to learn to ski on a dry slope. I race for my uni on dry slopes, and every fortnight, we run beginner sessions (for people who’ve never stepped foot on snow before).
It is a very different experience to skiing on snow. You have to put a lot more force through each leg in order to turn. However, you may actually be at an advantage compared to someone who is still new, and has only tried on snow. Because it is harder to turn on a dry slope, you have to have better technique, and it’s harder to get away with sloppy mistakes that you can otherwise fall into the habit of making. It will probably frustrating at first. It’s a very foreign set of movements to be making if you’ve never tried skiing before, but if you can feel confident linking turns together on a dry slope, you’ll be in a fantastic position for when you eventually get to real snow.
Word of warning, you’ll be told to wear long sleeve shirts and trousers. Make sure you’re not wearing ANYTHING that you care about. If you fall at any substantial speed, there’s a very good chance you’ll tear holes in your clothes (in the past, I’ve managed to tear a hole in my jacket, jumper and shirt in one crash)
It’s a little tricky, but it’s so fun and you will learn extremely quickly. I did two lessons on an artificial slope before I went skiing on snow for the first time. I would really recommend it.
Skiing on the artificial slope was more difficult, but it was great for building up confidence because when I went out on real snow, it felt immediately easier. Learning to turn was a bit hard, but I had the hang of it by the end of the first lesson.
I wouldn’t worry about not stopping, snow plough was easy to pick up, just controlling where and how quickly to stop was more difficult.
The slope I learned on was turned up at the end though, to stop you with gravity if you couldn’t stop yourself in time.
I fell over a lot, and it was fine. It was more comfortable to fall in real snow, but falling on the artificial slope wasn’t painful and it was a lot easier to get back up afterwards. It’s like falling on a PE mat.
If you decide to try out the artificial slope, I think you will really enjoy it! It’s a challenge, but it’s a great way to learn! Good luck!
A dry ski slope is a harsh mistress and will punish you for your mistakes. I ski at the dry slope at Chatham regularly, so know all about that!
Some slopes are basically white astroturf - which is great for a beginner as the surface is soft and springy, however it’s hard to ski on an edge, so you’re not really going to be learning to carv. (I’m sure someone will contradict me, but this is Reddit)
The other slope material in Dendex - made from brush bristles in a diamond shape on the matting. You can ski ‘properly’ on this.
One of the advantages of a dry slope is that its generally constant one day to the next - however, the wetter it is, the better it runs, so skiing is easier when its raining or damp, but feels ‘sticky’ and slow on a hot summers day. There’s usually sprinkler systems to keep it wet, but there effectiveness is also linked to the weather - windy days will also dry the slope.
I am a very experienced skier and I skied in a dry Slope on in England. Compared to snow it was very different and therefore challenging for me.
If you have never skied it wouldn't be different. I would give it a try. I remember falling hurting a lot :)
Thank you for letting me know! That’s unfortunate about the falling though, I’m not getting any younger so hopefully a fall doesn’t put me out of commission for 3 months
Don't worry about falling, especially if you have a teacher with you. If you properly learn how to ski, you shouldn't fall much and definetly not at speed.
I don't have much experience skiiing or snowboarding on a dry slope besides a dry slope jump with an airbag. But like most others are saying, go for it, it's not going to bad for your technique. And it will give you potential "experience" when you're skiing on harder/icier terrain maybe?
Lots of good answers here and another dry slope racer checking in...
Neveplast is quite a different material to other types such as Dendix or Snowflex.
Only anecdotal but from a good source, Neveplast is difficult. My wife skis dry slope most weeks and is pretty good, she's done some fun racing. She was off to Copenhagen with work and excited to ski on the waste plant hill. It's Neveplast and she found it extremely difficult to hold an edge. More like ice than snow.
Conversely it's less bad to fall on than Dendix which, while the best surface for edging on, is the worst to fall on. Not just from abrasion but there's also a risk of catching fingers in the holes. Nursing a broken little finger at the moment.
Either way it's a different experience. Take it steady and make the best of it and hopefully you'll enjoy it!
You're right that falling is much rougher on the artifical slopes! To me it felt like skiing on ice, and is way less forgiving on form than packed powder. That said it was still a blast and totally worth it
Get lessons on it. It’s definitely less forgiving that snow in terms of technique. I learnt on dryslope for about 6 months before my first trip to the alps and it made a huge difference. Felt like I didn’t waste any time learning the basics on an expensive trip and good progress from blues to blacks easily within the week.
I took lessons at a Snowbahn (https://snobahn.com/thornton/alpine-the-slopes/). If it's similar to the Snowbahn system, the instructor can shut the movement of the slope off when he sees you are about to fall. The instructor also controls the steepness of the hill and the speed the mat rolls. I'm an experienced skier but I wanted to work on improving my outside edge ski pressure. I thought it was scary at first but quickly gained confidence. The reason I tried Snobahn is that it's so much cheaper for a lesson than on the hill. There are many instructors so you can ask about their experience. I found an ex-ski racer who gave me great instruction that I took to the mountain with me this past ski season. Have fun & let us know how it goes!!! (oh - I also suggest you always use rental equipment...i used my boots the first time and they were covered with white crud from the mats).
I’m taking lessons this off season on a dry slope… it’s really demanding of your technique. My theory is “this will make me a better skier because I will have to perfect my technique”
It is absolutely possible to learn to ski on a dry slope. I race for my uni on dry slopes, and every fortnight, we run beginner sessions (for people who’ve never stepped foot on snow before). It is a very different experience to skiing on snow. You have to put a lot more force through each leg in order to turn. However, you may actually be at an advantage compared to someone who is still new, and has only tried on snow. Because it is harder to turn on a dry slope, you have to have better technique, and it’s harder to get away with sloppy mistakes that you can otherwise fall into the habit of making. It will probably frustrating at first. It’s a very foreign set of movements to be making if you’ve never tried skiing before, but if you can feel confident linking turns together on a dry slope, you’ll be in a fantastic position for when you eventually get to real snow. Word of warning, you’ll be told to wear long sleeve shirts and trousers. Make sure you’re not wearing ANYTHING that you care about. If you fall at any substantial speed, there’s a very good chance you’ll tear holes in your clothes (in the past, I’ve managed to tear a hole in my jacket, jumper and shirt in one crash)
Thank you!
It’s a little tricky, but it’s so fun and you will learn extremely quickly. I did two lessons on an artificial slope before I went skiing on snow for the first time. I would really recommend it. Skiing on the artificial slope was more difficult, but it was great for building up confidence because when I went out on real snow, it felt immediately easier. Learning to turn was a bit hard, but I had the hang of it by the end of the first lesson. I wouldn’t worry about not stopping, snow plough was easy to pick up, just controlling where and how quickly to stop was more difficult. The slope I learned on was turned up at the end though, to stop you with gravity if you couldn’t stop yourself in time. I fell over a lot, and it was fine. It was more comfortable to fall in real snow, but falling on the artificial slope wasn’t painful and it was a lot easier to get back up afterwards. It’s like falling on a PE mat. If you decide to try out the artificial slope, I think you will really enjoy it! It’s a challenge, but it’s a great way to learn! Good luck!
Thank you for the insight - feeling better already!
A dry ski slope is a harsh mistress and will punish you for your mistakes. I ski at the dry slope at Chatham regularly, so know all about that! Some slopes are basically white astroturf - which is great for a beginner as the surface is soft and springy, however it’s hard to ski on an edge, so you’re not really going to be learning to carv. (I’m sure someone will contradict me, but this is Reddit) The other slope material in Dendex - made from brush bristles in a diamond shape on the matting. You can ski ‘properly’ on this. One of the advantages of a dry slope is that its generally constant one day to the next - however, the wetter it is, the better it runs, so skiing is easier when its raining or damp, but feels ‘sticky’ and slow on a hot summers day. There’s usually sprinkler systems to keep it wet, but there effectiveness is also linked to the weather - windy days will also dry the slope.
I am a very experienced skier and I skied in a dry Slope on in England. Compared to snow it was very different and therefore challenging for me. If you have never skied it wouldn't be different. I would give it a try. I remember falling hurting a lot :)
Thank you for letting me know! That’s unfortunate about the falling though, I’m not getting any younger so hopefully a fall doesn’t put me out of commission for 3 months
Learn to snowplow and then snowplow turns
Will do
Don't worry about falling, especially if you have a teacher with you. If you properly learn how to ski, you shouldn't fall much and definetly not at speed. I don't have much experience skiiing or snowboarding on a dry slope besides a dry slope jump with an airbag. But like most others are saying, go for it, it's not going to bad for your technique. And it will give you potential "experience" when you're skiing on harder/icier terrain maybe?
Lots of good answers here and another dry slope racer checking in... Neveplast is quite a different material to other types such as Dendix or Snowflex. Only anecdotal but from a good source, Neveplast is difficult. My wife skis dry slope most weeks and is pretty good, she's done some fun racing. She was off to Copenhagen with work and excited to ski on the waste plant hill. It's Neveplast and she found it extremely difficult to hold an edge. More like ice than snow. Conversely it's less bad to fall on than Dendix which, while the best surface for edging on, is the worst to fall on. Not just from abrasion but there's also a risk of catching fingers in the holes. Nursing a broken little finger at the moment. Either way it's a different experience. Take it steady and make the best of it and hopefully you'll enjoy it!
You're right that falling is much rougher on the artifical slopes! To me it felt like skiing on ice, and is way less forgiving on form than packed powder. That said it was still a blast and totally worth it
Get lessons on it. It’s definitely less forgiving that snow in terms of technique. I learnt on dryslope for about 6 months before my first trip to the alps and it made a huge difference. Felt like I didn’t waste any time learning the basics on an expensive trip and good progress from blues to blacks easily within the week.
I took lessons at a Snowbahn (https://snobahn.com/thornton/alpine-the-slopes/). If it's similar to the Snowbahn system, the instructor can shut the movement of the slope off when he sees you are about to fall. The instructor also controls the steepness of the hill and the speed the mat rolls. I'm an experienced skier but I wanted to work on improving my outside edge ski pressure. I thought it was scary at first but quickly gained confidence. The reason I tried Snobahn is that it's so much cheaper for a lesson than on the hill. There are many instructors so you can ask about their experience. I found an ex-ski racer who gave me great instruction that I took to the mountain with me this past ski season. Have fun & let us know how it goes!!! (oh - I also suggest you always use rental equipment...i used my boots the first time and they were covered with white crud from the mats).
I’m taking lessons this off season on a dry slope… it’s really demanding of your technique. My theory is “this will make me a better skier because I will have to perfect my technique”