Here at Iglu Ski we would never advocate teaching yourself to ski or snowboard - it's both safer and more effective to learn under the expert supervision of an instructor who can teach you in a controlled environment, encourage and appraise your achievements and stop you developing those bad habits right from the start!
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Practise makes perfect
However it is important that you practise new techniques and skills in your own time, to really let what you have learnt sink in. Start on a piste or terrain you feel comfortable with and build up gradually by progressing to steeper slopes or more challenging areas. Watch other people ski around you - the skiing style of every good skier may be slightly different, but will often be based on a similar set of core techniques. Watch how fellow skiers execute their turns, or deal with steeps or moguls - there is something to learn from the good and the bad.
If you really must think about skiing once you're off the slopes (and here at Iglu Ski we know how that feels) there are plenty of books and DVDs on the subject, whether for educational or entertainment purposes. If you're an intermediate already and looking to improve, take a look at our ski tips and advice guides for tips on specific skills - and check out DVDs by legends like Warren Miller and Terje Hakonsen for inspiration on how it's really done!