Do a side slip on the downhill ski only, then on the uphill ski only. Keep the lifted ski parallel with the snow.
Travel in a straight line down the fall line without turning, or slipping forward or backward. Balance needs to be centered to keep the travel in a straight line.
black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
Series or linked 360 degree slips completed in both directions.
Staying close to the fall line, maintain a consistent speed.
blue balance, blue steering, blue pressure, blue edging, black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
In a parallel position facing downhill have skis to stay on the snow. Move from inside ski to inside ski allowing the skis to maintain edge engagement by bending the skis from the middle.
Balance and Stance: The inside leg shortens as the outside leg lengthens, setting up alignment and balance and weight on inside edge of the inside ski.
Edging Movements: The edges are released and re-engaged in one smooth movement.
Pressure Control Movements: Skis bend progressively throughout the turn, with the entire length engaged.
black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
With skis pointing across the fall line, do a diagonal side slip. When comfortable, end the side slip with a clean traverse. Then back to a diagonal side slip, and back to a clean traverse.
Uphill lead ski,
skis remain parallel at all times,
skis keep same distance from each other,
skis remain across the fall line at all times.
blue balance, blue edging, blue pressur,e blue steering, black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering, green edging, green Balance, green pressure
1. Stationary -
push feet forward to raise tips
pull heels back to raise tails
repeat push and pull while still flat on snow
2. Stationary -
push feet forward, raise tips then hop while pulling heels back
land with tips down first
3. While sliding -
repeat step 2 to get the hang of hopping with feet forward and landing with feet back.
4. While in a traverse -
repeat step 2
This will help with balance and keeping your center of mass still while the feet are moving for and aft and up and down. Imagine your feet moving in a circle.
blue balance, blue pressur,e black balance, black pressure
In conjunction with Dolphin Hops, this is the next level. Do the dolphin hop at the beginning of a turn, where the hop initiates the turn phase.
Balance and turn shape are the main points for this exercise.
black balance, black edging, black steering, black pressure
While doing turns edge change happens with a flexion rather than extension.
Rotation is at a consistent pace. Edge change is at most flexed point.
Rider should be smallest at transition tallest at apex.
blue pressure, blue tilt, blue pivot, black pressure, black tilt, black pivot
A series of slips back and forth across the falline achieved by changing pressure on front and tail of ski and or by slight steering of skis.
Maintain a balanced parallel stance.
green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure
Using a similar movement to leapers but skis do not leave the snow
Directional movements primarily working on flexion and extension through all major body joints
black balance, black pressure
Slipping sideways and forward, across the hill
Maintain a balanced parallel stance slipping forward, across the hill, upper body faces the intended direction of travel
green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure
Facing across the hill, start a turn until, then turn back before turn finishes. Progressively increase how far the start of turn goes (until close to fall line) before turning back.
This can be used for many kinds of turns. You can emphasis the initiation phase of the turn (with a different exercise) or the finish phase of the turn, depending on the need of the class.
green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure
Face uphill, spread tips apart, step one ski at a time while moving uphill.
Move knees inside to engage edges to avoid slipping skis.
green edging, green pressure, blue edging, blue pressure, black edging, black pressure
Stand across the fall line on uphill ski. Lift and turn your downhill ski so that it is pointing down the hill and your tails are crossed (you will need to open up your hips to face more downhill). Now start a turn while only weighting your uphill ski.
Emphasis on not falling.
black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
Turn skis from one direction to the other while in the air. Two footed or one footed [inside or outside]
Upper body remains facing down the hill on or just off the falline, skis remain parallel and parallel to the terrain, pole swing and touch important to timing, balance.
black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
In a parallel position, face downhill and hop from inside ski to ski. Allow tip of skis to stay on the snow while picking up and kicking out the tail of the outside ski.
Balance and Stance: The inside leg shortens as the outside leg lengthens, setting up alignment and balance and weight on the outside ski.
Edging Movements: The shins make forward and lateral contact with the boot cuffs as the skier rolls the skis onto the new edges.
Directional movements: The pole swings smoothly in the direction of travel.
black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
The new inside foot is lifted as you initiate the turn. As you balance on the outside ski, it is turned underneath to create a crossed position. Continue to balance and steer the outside ski through the control phase. Place ski back on snow then lift the new inside ski and repeat.
Emphasize allowing the outside ski to turn under the inside thru the turn.
black pressure, black edging, black balance
The transition zone between turns is completed in the air.
Be sure both skis remain parallel with the snow during this maneuver.
blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure
Initiate turn on inside ski. Lift new outside ski slightly up and behind skier.
Balance and stance: The hips are centered throughout the turn, promoting a movement forward through the finish and into the new turn.
Edging: The edges are released and re-engaged in one smooth movement.
Directional movements: The skier extends into the new turn to change edges.
black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
Make turns in both directions while keeping one ski off of the snow.Repeat with the opposite ski off of the snow
This task requires refined balance and forward pressure on the ski.
black balance, black edging, black steering, black pressure
1) In boots only, on snow, rock ankle back and forth on one foot, then the other.
2) On skis, glide in straight line on one foot. Then the other.
3) On skis, glide in straight line on one foot and rock the ankle back and forth. No steering, just edge to edge. Then the other foot.
Use poles to drag the ground for balance. Avoid temptation to steer, just rock the ankle back and forth. Keep lifted ski tip on the snow.
blue edging, blue balance, blue pressure, black edging, black balance, black pressure
Ski a series of short radius turns on a long radius turn path
Observe the overall ability of the skier to adapt their movements of the short radius turns giving their current location on the long radius path.
black edging, black pressure, black steering
Go straight down the fall-line followed by rotation of both skis simultaneously in one direction until skis are perpendicular to the fall-line followed by a sideslip. The skis are then rotated in the opposite direction to a sideslip followed by a stop.
• Start in a straight run down the fall-line
• Skis are maintained at hip width throughout the drill
• When skier is up to speed, both skis are pivoted across the fall-line
• A sideslip will be maintained for 6 vertical meters in the imaginary ski-width corridor down the fall-line
• Without losing a substantial amount of speed in the vertical sideslip the skis are again pivoted, this time in the opposite direction for 6 vertical meters in the corridor
* Two left and two right sideslips are performed
* The skier concludes with an edge set that is timed with a pole touch and holds stopped position for 3 seconds
Skier stays within a ski-width corridor without deviation from the fall-line through entire drill
Skis are pivoted simultaneously
Hip width stance in all phases of the drill
Skier loses a minimal amount of speed during the sideslips
Pole plant coincides with edge set at conclusion of drill
blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, blue steerin,g black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
Similar to Stork turns but opposite ski lift. Lift uphill ski and initiate turn with inside ski.
fore/aft balance, pressure and balance over stable base.
Black Balance, Black Rotary, Black Pressure
Traverse across small bumps (practice absorbing terrain with contraction and extension.)
Keeping contact between the skis and the snow. Keep upper body on level plain.
blue balance, blue pressure, black balance, black pressure
Initiate turn on inside ski. Lift outside ski up and behind skier throughout the turn. Outside leg should be high and level to terrain
Balance: The inside hand, shoulder and hip lead the turn shaping and finish, resulting in a countered relationship between upper and lower body. ( degree of counter is related to size and shape of turn.
Edging: The shins make forward and lateral contact with the boot cuffs as the skier rolls the ski onto the new edge.
Directional movements: The skier extends into new turn to change edges.
black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
While standing in traverse position, move knees downhill to flatten skis so they slide.
Make sure the sliding direction is down the fall line (may need to adjust pressure or steering) This shows how they can control their speed.
green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure
Step sideways uphill one foot at a time.
Use uphill edges, move entire ski with each step.
green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure
With tips apart and tails together, push off from one ski and glide on the other. Forward movement is made as the skier pushes back and forth from one ski to the other.
With tips apart and tails together, push off from one ski and glide on the other. Forward movement is made as the skier pushes back and forth from one ski to the other.
blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, blue steering, black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
Ski a series of turns skiing on inside ski while outside ski is off the snow.
Balance and Stance: The inside hand, shoulder and hip lead the turn shaping and finish, resulting in a countered relationship between upper and lower body. (degree of counter is related to size and shape of turn.
Edging control Movements: The shins make forward and lateral contact with the boot cuffs as the skier rolls the skis onto the new edges.
Rotary Movements: The skiers legs turn underneath a strong/ stable torso to help guide the ski throughout the turn.
black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
Start by lifting tail of uphill ski in a traverse. Finish the traverse with a J turn to a stop.Increase the traverse angle until they are starting down the fall line and turn to a stop with inside tail lifted. Gradually increase to a full turn, lifting the tail at the end of the turn.Advanced: lift the tail through the entire turn.
Emphasize balance, forward pressure, upper/lower separation.
green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure
Slipping both skis sideways straight down the fall line.
Maintaining balanced and a parallel stance with upper body maintaining a slight counter
green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure
Medium radius turns, hop both skis throughout turns and traverses
Taller stance, skis parallel to snow, small hops
black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
Medium Radius turns, shuffle both feet fore/aft throughout turns and traverses
Taller stance, quick feet, small shuffles
black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
Medium radius turns, step from ski to ski throughout turns and traverses. The goal is to step from edge to edge with little or no skidding.
Taller stance, pickup ski parallel to snow, quick feet
black balance, black edging, black pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure
While in a traverse, have skiers step uphill with uphill ski, then match it with downhill ski.
Emphasize using edges to avoid slipping sideways while keeping skis parallel with each step.
blue balance, blue edgin,g blue pressure, blue steering, black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering
Complete a series of wedge turns picking up the inside ski parallel to the snow, crossing the forebody of the turning ski. After a completing a series of javelin turns, begin to set the inside ski down on the snow parallel to outside ski complete as in a parallel turn.
Helps generate proportionate level of counter as well as open stance
blue balance, blue steering, black balance, black steering
Start: Use flexion to lift inside foot/ski off snow after the falline (in shaping phase).
Both feet coordinate tipping/rolling edging movements to manage turn shape through the shaping phase of the turn.
Entering transition, flex the joints of the weighted leg to allow that foot’s tipping/rolling movements to release and change the ski’s edge
Continued tipping/rolling of the (new) inside foot shape the turn into the fall-line.
Before the fall line, extend the knee and hip joint of the lifted outside ski to return the ski to the snow. Begin to transfer pressure to the outside ski.
Flexion/extension movements movements to keep center of mass balanced fore/aft and laterally over base of support
Angulation and flexion extension movements direct pressure toward the outside ski
After the fall line, use flexion to lift inside foot/ski off snow so the turn is finished on the outside ski only.
What the Skis Do (EFFECT):
• One ski supports skier from finish through initiation and early shaping phase of the turn.
• Ski in air shows edging activity that matches that of the weighted ski.
• Outside ski is returned to the snow and re-engaged on edge by the falline (middle of shaping phase)
• Inside ski is off the snow in the finish phase of the turn
• Skis are parallel to each other whether on or off the snow and show similar edge angles throughout turns.
• Ski creates round brushed/drifted arc that controls speed at Level 2
• Ski creates a round carved arc that controls speed with line at Level 3
black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering