Fundamentals:
1) Body Management - Posture, Balance, Shape, Agility, Co-ordination, Rhythm
2) Steer our skis - Pressing, Edging, Rotating legs & feet
3) Maintain control - Speed, Line
4) Adjust our performance - Snow, Terrain
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Central theme:
1) SLIDING - Centre of feet. Hands slightly forward, away from body, at hip level. Poles diverged slightly. Crouch slightly - flex & extend ankles, knees & hips to help maintain good balance. Lower back slightly rounded. Pelvis tilted appropriately. Eyeline - horizontal for balance & good vision.
2) PLOUGHING & PLOUGH TURNING (initial basics for learning to turn) - Feet wider than hips. Stretch & rotate legs. Bend outer leg to control & shape pressure. Ankle, knee & hip all flex in harmony. Turn completed, skier straightens to recover to natural position (whilst new leg rotates).
a) STRETCH & ROTATE LEGS b) BEGIN TURNING - rotate outer leg & foot to steer skis, gradually build up pressure against outside ski. c) REACT TO PRESSURE by bending & recovering d) STEER more positively by actively stretching & bending
3) BASIC SWINGING - Bring inner ski parallel. Rotate inner leg & foot. Re-establish plough. Rotate new outer leg & foot.
4) BASIC SWING TO PARRALLEL TURNING - To reduce duration of plough; steer inner ski earlier. To reduce size of plough; rotate outer ski less, pressing it harder/more actively against snow. To ski parallel;- learn to press first then change edges & rotate both skis simultaneously.
5) POLE PLANT - As you press outer ski against snow & cross over. Helps with balance & rhythm.
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Useful links:-
Snow Instructors Internet Learning resource
Professional Ski Instructors of America
British Association of Snowsports Instructors
SAFETY CODE
1) Stay in control
2) Stop at edge of piste, in clear visibility to others & NOT under a chair lift
3) Look up hill before joining a trail & give way
4) The person in front always has the right of way
5) Obey all signs
6) Always use safety equipment
7) Know how to ride a lift!
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More advanced techniques: