Blue Edging Exercises

Ski

360 Flatland (Whirly Birds)

Terrain

Flat, groomed medium blue terrain

Activity

Series or linked 360 degree slips completed in both directions.

Emphasis

Staying close to the fall line, maintain a consistent speed.

Notes

Tags

blue balance, blue steering, blue pressure, blue edging, black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Catch and Release

Terrain

Moderate, Green or Blue, Groomed

Activity

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.

Emphasis

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.

Notes

you can analyze many errant body position and balance errors with this exercise to determine what the student needs to work on.

Tags

blue balance, blue edging, blue pressur,e blue steering, black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering, green edging, green Balance, green pressure

Downhill Ski Traverse

Terrain

Green to blue terrain

Activity

Travel in a straight line across the hill on the downhill ski

Emphasis

On downhill ski with uphill ski just off and parallel to the snow

Notes

Tags

blue balance, blue edging, black balance, black edging

Falling Leaf

Terrain

Green to Blue groomed

Activity

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.

Emphasis

Maintain a balanced parallel stance.

Notes

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Forward Sideslip

Terrain

Green, Blue or Black terrain

Activity

Slipping sideways and forward, across the hill

Emphasis

Maintain a balanced parallel stance slipping forward, across the hill, upper body faces the intended direction of travel

Notes

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Garlands

Terrain

Gentle to moderate

Activity

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.

Emphasis

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.

Notes

This exercise can be used in conjunction with many other exercises. It is the go-to platform for helping an instructor simplify a concept by breaking it down into different parts of the turn.

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Herringbone

Terrain

Gentle Groomed green

Activity

Face uphill, spread tips apart, step one ski at a time while moving uphill.

Emphasis

Move knees inside to engage edges to avoid slipping skis.

Notes

Tags

green edging, green pressure, blue edging, blue pressure, black edging, black pressure

Hockey Stops

Terrain

Beginner groomed terrain that is even from side to side, without sidehill or fall-away.

Activity

Skier starts in a straight run down the fall-line

• Skis remain hip-width

• After 9 meter straight run, both skis are pivoted

• Skier comes to a complete stop

• The task is performed in each direction

Emphasis

This maneuver develops leg rotation; the ability to turn the lower body independently of the upper body.

Notes

Tags

blue steering, black steering, blue edging, black edging

Leaper Turns

Terrain

Groomed, gentle

Activity

The transition zone between turns is completed in the air.

Emphasis

Be sure both skis remain parallel with the snow during this maneuver.

Notes

Tags

blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

One Legged Roller Blade

Terrain

Gentle, flat, groomed

Activity

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.

Emphasis

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.

Notes

After practice, do this with both skis on the snow.

Tags

blue edging, blue balance, blue pressure, black edging, black balance, black pressure

Parallel Traverse

Terrain

can be done with any terrain based on skill level of student.

Activity

Travel in a straight line across the hill.

Emphasis

Maintain two distinct tracks in the snow.

Notes

Tags

green edging, Green Balance, blue balance, blue edging

Pivot Slips

Terrain

Intermediate groomed terrain with a consistent fall-line.

Activity

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

Emphasis

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

Notes

Entire drill is done within an unmarked ski-width corridor down the fall-line

Tags

blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, blue steerin,g black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Railroad Tracks

Terrain

Wide flat terrain to begin with.

Activity

Have the skier rock from edge to edge while standing on flat ground using poles to stabilize. Then on gentle terrain have them do the same thing while moving. As they get a feel for it either increase their speed or increase the steepness of the terrain.

Emphasis

Emphasise leaving two thin tracks in the snow with little to no skidding.

Notes

Tags

blue edging, black edging

Side Slips

Terrain

Gentle to moderate

Activity

While standing in traverse position, move knees downhill to flatten skis so they slide.

Emphasis

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.

Notes

Can be used to get down a steep slope.

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Side Step

Terrain

Gentle Groomed green

Activity

Step sideways uphill one foot at a time.

Emphasis

Use uphill edges, move entire ski with each step.

Notes

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Sidecut Traverse

Terrain

Green to Blue terrain

Activity

Parallel traverse letting sidecut of skis create a natural arc

Emphasis

Maintain two distinct tracks in the snow

Notes

Tags

blue balance, blue edging, black balance, black edging

Skating

Terrain

Works best to teach skating on flatter terrain.

Activity

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.

Emphasis

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.

Notes

Tags

blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, blue steering, black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Stork Turns

Terrain

Terrain varies based on ability

Activity

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.

Emphasis

Emphasize balance, forward pressure, upper/lower separation.

Notes

Watch for skiers balance and body positioning. This is a vary versatile exercise that can be used to help correct many issues dealing with body position, stance, balance, early weight transfer and many more.

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Straight Sideslip

Terrain

Green, Blue or Black

Activity

Slipping both skis sideways straight down the fall line.

Emphasis

Maintaining balanced and a parallel stance with upper body maintaining a slight counter

Notes

Explain to students that the angle created by the uphill lead ski should be maintained up the entire body, i.e. boots, knees, hips, shoulders and hands should line up with same angle as the ski tips.

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Thousand Steps

Terrain

Blue groomed, wide with light traffic

Activity

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.

Emphasis

Taller stance, pickup ski parallel to snow, quick feet

Notes

Tags

black balance, black edging, black pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure

Thumper Turns

Terrain

Gentle, flat, appropriate for skill level

Activity

While doing J turns, have student lift and replace inside ski. Increase the arc of the J turn gradually until the students are make complete turns while lifting and replacing inside ski.

Emphasis

Emphasis is on balance, counter, body stance, speed control.

Notes

This is a great exercise for helping to aid students into the transition to parallel from wedge turns. It can be used in combination with other exercises such as garlands.

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, green steering, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, blue steering

Traverse Side Step

Terrain

Wide, groomed, moderate to steep

Activity

While in a traverse, have skiers step uphill with uphill ski, then match it with downhill ski.

Emphasis

Emphasize using edges to avoid slipping sideways while keeping skis parallel with each step.

Notes

Be aware of skiers body position. If they are having trouble they are probably not counter enough with the upper body. Its a good test for exposing poor body position.

Tags

blue balance, blue edgin,g blue pressure, blue steering, black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Uphill Ski Traverse

Terrain

Green to blue terrain

Activity

Travel in a straight line across the hill on the uphill ski

Emphasis

On uphill ski with downhill ski just off and parallel to the snow.

Notes

Tags

blue balance, blue edging, black balance, black edging

Z-turns

Terrain

Flat, gentle, with lots of room

Activity

While facing down the fall line in a wedge position, edge one ski by moving knee inward. Let the other ski remain flat. Slide on the one edged ski allowing the other ski to skid flat over the snow. Then switch so that the edged becomes flat and the flat ski becomes edged and slide toward the opposite direction

Emphasis

Emphasize that the track in the snow from the edged ski should be straight along the edge (or in a carved arc) with no skidding.

Notes

Tags

blue edging, black edging