Sit just uphill from your skis.	Grasping both poles with one hand on the handles and the other by the baskets. Plant them in the snow just behind your uphill hip.
Once in position, use a quick pull/push with both arms to shift yourself forward and over your skis.	In deep snow, cross your poles to prevent them from sinking into the snow as you use them to stand up. [All photos: ifyouski.com]

Back On Your Feet

You've just fallen over and ground to a halt. Sit and recuperate for as long as you need, but be sure to let your companions know that you are not hurt. Then get up...

• Collect your skis.
• Check that the bindings are open.
• Put your skis back on.

Tips

• Always put your downhill ski on first. If you only lose your downhill ski, turn around.
• In powder it can be very hard to keep snow off the bindings. You may have to flatten an area in order to get your skis back on.
• Open the bindings, check the the bindings and boots are clean, then put on the skis.

If Your Skis Stay On

Standing up on skis can be one of the greatest challenges at first. Yet once you have learnt the trick it will be hard to understand why you ever found it so hard. Trust us.

The first thing to do after any fall is to place your skis below you, across the fall line. You can either slide them round or roll over on your back (the dying beetle technique). Once your skis are below you, you are ready to stand up.

Tips

• Make sure that your skis are exactly across the fall line before you begin straining to stand up.
• Plant your poles right next to your hips, to ensure adequate leverage.
• Use a short sharp effort to gain some momentum.
• Get your weight forward and over the skis before trying to stand upright.
• Check you have your hat, goggles, glasses, and all equipment before skiing off again.