By a Professional
This article is undated but it may have been written in the 1930s.
Novices who don skis for the first time would save themselves no little trouble if they knew something about the fundamentals of ski-ing, says Harold H. Mines, Montreal professional.
At first they should walk about on their skis on practically flat or slightly rolling country until they get the feel of the skis.
Poles, if used gradually, can be of great help to the beginner as an aid to keeping the balance. They should not come over the shoulder.
Beginners should avoid all big hills, no matter how good they think they may be, as a bad fall might result in such a lack of confidence that it might take the whole season to recover.
Do not ski with a crowd, as one novice may not be able to stop quickly enough without hitting the next one. Take slopes gradually. Adopt a crouch. This may seem ungainly but it will help to maintain the balance. Keep poles behind and close in at all times. When turning do not depend on the legs alone but swing the body as well. Let the legs absorb all the bumps on the same principle of the automobile shock absorber.
Keep on the beaten trails and do not go wandering around or a submerged fence or cliff may cause a nasty accident. In a fall, first remove poles from the wrists and then take off harness in the coolest and easiest way. On getting nervous when going too fast downhill, sit down. Get friends to show you all the things they have learned before starting out, as it is easier to learn through them than through the hard school of experience.
Source: The Canadian Ski Museum