| This basic turn can be done with or without poles at | | | | believe that the correct inclination is for the upper |
| the start. By leaning over on to one ski while moving | | | | body to lean out and down the hill. It usually irons |
| in the snowplough position, the weighted ski will turn. | | | | itself out after a bit of mileage, and quite often only |
| The weight is then transferred to the other ski to | | | | happens when turning one way. This is due to one |
| turn in the opposite direction. It should be emphasised | | | | hemisphere of the brain being more dominant than |
| that the weight remains on the outside ski until the | | | | the other - apparently. |
| next turn, i.e. the skier gets a feel of continually | | | | The second problem is not as serious but can lead to |
| weighting the downhill ski. | | | | worse faults later. The body is temporarily frozen |
| Different ski instructors use different verbs to | | | | into a catatonic state with arms akimbo, and poles |
| describe the snowplough steering action, but the | | | | pointing rigidly skywards or in some other direction. |
| instruction and demonstration must be as simple as | | | | The skier must be encouraged to hold his hands |
| possible! I demonstrate with an exaggerated upper | | | | loosely by his side. The rest of his body should then |
| body lean over on to the outside ski, sometimes | | | | follow suit and relax. |
| bringing my hand down on to my thigh to point it | | | | As he skis faster there will be less weight needed on |
| out, and say 'Steer the ski round'. Others may say, | | | | the steering ski. It is most important to chose the |
| 'Drive the ski round', or 'Push on the outside ski'. One | | | | slope carefully. It should be wide and gentle with as |
| of these will usually work, but there are two | | | | few people on it as possible. |
| problems to look out for. | | | | Just in case you can't wait till you have read my later |
| The first is that the skier tends to transfer his | | | | advice on how to instruct a beginner and want to |
| weight back on to the uphill ski as soon as the | | | | experiment with these turns on a victim now then |
| outside downhill one has made the turn. He then | | | | please remember this: Instructions should be minimal, |
| either sits down or else the newly weighted uphill ski | | | | and it should be remembered that demonstration will |
| slides over the middle of his downhill ski, and he falls | | | | usually have more effect on a beginner's progress |
| flat on his face. | | | | than the spoken word. |
| We have all done it and it may indeed happen to you | | | | It is especially important not to increase the |
| at a later stage when, for example, you are skiing | | | | confusion in a beginner's brain, as that will be |
| the bumps. It is usually sceptical apprehension rather | | | | happening quite naturally already as he tries to come |
| than fear at this stage, as the brain refuses to | | | | to terms with his strange predicament! |