| The following fundamental drills are foundational to | | | | FOUR: Stepping |
| learn to ski well. While there are a variety of ski | | | | We do this every day when we walk down the |
| techniques, all use these 7 basics in one form or | | | | street. We put one foot in front of the other. We |
| another. This is by no means an exhaustive list of | | | | don't lean too far forward or tilt backward - we walk |
| exercises or drills, but they are the roots to learning | | | | in perfect balance. With this drill, you'll just be walking |
| to ski. Downhill skiing must of course be learned on | | | | with skis on. On gentle terrain, try stepping through a |
| the ski slopes. The following text will give you | | | | turn. Traverse slowly across the slope and prepare to |
| context, descriptions, and metaphors to give you a | | | | step through another turn. What you're doing in this |
| better understanding both before and after you | | | | exercise in training your body to lean forward (just |
| actually ski. | | | | like you do when you take a step). Just as you lean |
| ONE: Skiing On One Ski | | | | forward to begin walking down the street in perfect |
| If you've seen the Karate Kid, you'll remember how | | | | balance, you need to lean forward to get your body |
| Mr. Miyagi tells Daniel that he "must first learn | | | | down the hill, while maintaining balance. Not an easy |
| balance!" Now, you won't need to stand at the bow | | | | exercise to illustrate, but imagine taking tiny baby |
| of a row boat or get pummeled by ocean waves | | | | steps around a corner. You want your skis to stay |
| (you can if you wish). You will, however, need to | | | | parallel - avoid the "snow plow." While the snow plow |
| practice skiing on one ski. Start on easy terrain such | | | | turn (also known as the wedge) may be helpful to |
| as the beginner's area, and slowly traverse across | | | | brand new, or nervous skiers, stepping is "just as |
| the hill lifting up one leg. Do this until you are | | | | easy to learn." The stepping exercise has the added |
| comfortable with either leg raised. Practice both legs | | | | benefits of not encouraging bad habits and helps you |
| equally. Simply cross the hill back and forth, gently | | | | to learn to ski better faster. |
| descending. Next, when you're comfortable, start | | | | FIVE: Shuffling Skis |
| straightening out your turns more directly downhill. | | | | This lesson is similar to "Stepping," except your skis |
| Practice this drill in small increments. It may be | | | | are kept on the snow. Start by sliding one ski |
| awkward at first, but you'll improve rapidly. | | | | forward and the other back. It will be similar to |
| TWO: Skating | | | | Cross-Country skiing or using a NordicTrack Skier. On |
| This drill is exactly what it sounds like - skating. Just | | | | gentle terrain, shuffle your skis back and forth as |
| as in ice skating, you push off one inside edge of | | | | you traverse the slope. You want to train your body |
| your skate to the other to move forward. You'll just | | | | (your hips specifically) to stay directly above your |
| do this with skis on. On gentle terrain, push off the | | | | feet. |
| inside edges of your skis to propel/push yourself | | | | When your hips are positioned above your feet, you |
| forward. You'll notice that your skies with naturally | | | | have optimum control of your body and skis. |
| form a V allowing you to push from the back | | | | SIX: Rail Road Tracks |
| (somewhat) to create the forward momentum. | | | | This is a bit more of an advanced drill that will take |
| Why do this? It will help your body position, which is | | | | your skiing to new heights. Essentially you want to |
| critical in order to Ski Great! It will also help you feel | | | | ski on the edges of your skis (by shifting your |
| the pressure and edge of your skis. You want your | | | | ankles) so you leave rail-road-track-like marks in the |
| skis to become an extension of your body. Just as a | | | | snow. Start with wide a parallel stance tipping both |
| tennis racket is an extension of Andre Agassi or a | | | | ankles and knees while simultaneously engaging your |
| golf club of Tiger Woods, you need to feel, know, | | | | ski edges. Traverse gentle across the slope, back |
| and trust your skis. | | | | and forth. This should be done on gentle terrain. |
| THREE: Side Slipping | | | | SEVEN: Pivot Flat Ski |
| This drill is also just as it sounds. You'll be slipping | | | | This is the most difficult exercise, but has the |
| down the hill sideways. Don't worry - it's not as scary | | | | greatest rewards for you. Master this and your skiing |
| as it sounds. Simply stand perpendicular on the hill (so | | | | will skyrocket! Start perpendicular on the hill (like you |
| you're facing the woods or the side of the hill). The | | | | do with the "Side Slipping" technique), but release the |
| edges of your skis, which you can feel really well | | | | edge of your skis by leaning your upper body across |
| because you've practiced "Skating," will hold you in | | | | and over your skis - rather than relaxing your ankles. |
| place. While on gentle terrain, slowly flatten your skis | | | | This body positioning will force your skis to flatten |
| by relaxing your ankles to the point where you start | | | | naturally. Once you feel your skis start to move, |
| "slipping" sideways downhill. Let yourself slip side | | | | steer your feet so you swivel and face the opposite |
| away. Tighten your ankles to stop. Then start again. | | | | direction. Repeat and turn in the other direction. Try |
| Practice this exercise facing both ways. Next - have | | | | doing this with as little forward momentum as |
| a little fun and try slipping slightly forward by pressing | | | | possible. It takes practice, but will give you the skills |
| your toes down while you flatten your skis. To slip | | | | to ski virtually any terrain - trees, bumps, |
| backwards, lift your toes up. Once comfortable with | | | | powder...etc. Own it! |
| this, try it on steeper terrain. | | | | |