Hi everyone, here's a video of me skiing last season after my first week on the snow. Next weekend we're heading back to the mountains and I would really appreciate any good tips and advice you can give me based on this video... I hope it's clear enough.
You look confident skiing down the piste and keep a constant rhythm when turning.
The main thing I see is that you are turning using your upper body. The upper body (hips/shoulders) are turning to pull the skis round but you should actually be aiming for the skis to turn first.
Try a drill such as holding the poles up and keeping something on the edge of the piste (e.g. a tree) visible between the poles then try to turn the legs in the new direction without turning the upper body.
Another main issue is that you are leaning inside the turn (inclinating) where you should be aiming to angulate the body.
A drill to fix that is to drag both poles keeping them in contact with the snow at all times. When dragging the poles keep the hands in front with the baskets dragging roughly in line with the boots. You can even stretch a little downhill at the end of the turn to exagerate the angulation and get you in a better position for the following turn.
Have fun on holiday!
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Not at all bad for just one weeks skiing.
You have the typical problems of someone who's maybe not been taking lessons:
- Using your shoulders and upper body to make the turn happen.
- Sitting back on the skis (skiing in the back seat) rather than being up and forward
- Not enough movement in the transition phase (where you finish one turn and get yourself in position ready to start the next one).
I'd also suggest getting some lessons when you go skiing. Instructors are great at working with you to iron out the problems, particularly important before they become too ingrained.
Really nice, you have enough control to have great fun. A few good lessons would turn you into a very nice skier.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
What @born2ski said: concentrate on keeping your upper body pointing down the hill independent of your legs - known as upper/lower body separation - and also practice the (brilliant) double pole drag drill to improve angulation.
That should keep you going for a week. Lots to learn, but overloading yourself with too much technical stuff can be a hindrance when you're starting out, and other stuff may come naturally - for someone with just one week of skiing, you're impressively good on that video.
Just for the record, regarding lessons, I did take group lessons for my week in Austria last year, which gave me a lot of confidence, but I also benefited greatly from "private sessions" with my fiancee which is a more experienced skier. I also spent quite some time watching Darren's videos before the trip. That said, this time around I think I'll definitely take a couple of private lessons to improve the technique.
So, basically you all gave the same two important tips - keep the body pointing downhill and work on angulation. And of course, stop sitting on the skis... I'll do my best to implement those in the next vacation. Thank you!!
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
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That said, this time around I think I'll definitely take a couple of private lessons to improve the technique.
