I'm gradually trying to develop my ability to go backwards, but don't seem to be doing too well with it. Does anyone have any simple tips that could help?
I guess that part of the problem is that I don't really do it enough, it's usually a good way to hold up the people you're skiing with. Also I can't seem to twist my body enough. It looks like such a simple stance when I see others doing it but whenever I try it doesn't seem like my body can fit in that position...either that or I just end up in a reverse snowplough.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I was trying a bit last week. My problem is I find it hard to stay switch and tend to pivot the full 360. In fact I can happily to 1080 in flat pirouettes. I think it's because I haven't found a comfortable position to hold with my head/shoulders rotated towards the tails, tend to look back at my tips and where the head goes the ...
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?
Quote:
I guess that part of the problem is that I don't really do it enough
That!
I used to be able to do it comfortably when I was teaching. But now that I've stopped teaching, I don't do it often enough.
A week ago, I found myself sliding backward. My mind wants to turn one way but my feet forgot what to execute. I ended up with a reverse snowplough to a full stop.
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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
They do if you turn the boots around too!
After all it is free
After all it is free
@king key, top tip, I'll try it on the next trip. Thanks
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Have you tried practising without goggles on...?
Disclaimer: I'm terrible at skiing switch and can only manage v. short distances on blues. However, when I have managed to do it for any amount of time (and look where I'm going) it has been without goggles.
People who are great at it probably don't notice as they already have the steezy slouched stance sorted, but at my v. beginner level the extra two inches I need to turn my head makes a massive difference to my confidence, though I have certainly not got it sorted yet at all.
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On a side note, I was with my daughter's boyfriend who was fighting to get his ski on, when I glanced over and said "You do know it's back to front don't you?"........he didn't.
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Quote:
Have you tried practising without goggles on...?
that's a good thought - would make the position easier wouldn't it?
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
jedster wrote:
Quote:
Have you tried practising without goggles on...?
that's a good thought - would make the position easier wouldn't it?
If the boots are on backwards, the goggles should be also.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Can do backwards linked snowplough turns (say on blues) without having to think too hard (therefore no tips, I'm afraid!). Not tried anything more ambitious.
Edit: Couldn't figure out how to put the damn videos embedded
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Always look over your outside shoulder.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
The videos @Bennisboy posted are the best I've seen. I'm also practicing every time the slope is empty. The PSB was great for that - managed a whole blue run switch. I need to lift my goggles up and hold poles in one hand otherwise I have the habit of getting one stuck under my ski. I also have the same problem as @jedster in when twisting round to look I tend to spin around fully. I need to concentrate a lot when I'm sliding my foot forwards to start the new turn, but I suppose its like learning to ski again and it will come more naturally with practice.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Also this one is a bit shorter, but outlines how to progress a bit more (in case the link doesn't work properly, the switch skiing is at 2.03)
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?
@Bennisboy, yeah I've been watching a lot of the Stomp It videos...not sure I'm ready for the double cork yet though
Those other videos have some useful stuff too, I really struggle getting twisted enough to see over my shoulder when I'm on the slopes. Might have a trip to one of the local dry slopes to try and practice, they've got a pretty gentle slope and I've got some scratty twins off ebay that I don't mind taking a bit of abuse.
@Bennisboy, yeah I've been watching a lot of the Stomp It videos...not sure I'm ready for the double cork yet though
Those other videos have some useful stuff too, I really struggle getting twisted enough to see over my shoulder when I'm on the slopes. Might have a trip to one of the local dry slopes to try and practice, they've got a pretty gentle slope and I've got some scratty twins off ebay that I don't mind taking a bit of abuse.
Haha I mean why attempt skiing switch when you can just go straight for the corks and wing it when you land?
I think the key is definitely being flexible enough to rotate a lot of your upper body. When I was learning it I basically semi-tucked so it meant I was almost looking down the line of my upper body rather than stretching to look backwards, also helped me have a bit of a wider steadier stance. Then you can gradually get more upright as you become more comfortable with the twisted upper half.
(It's hard to describe but I know what I mean )
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
You can't ski switch. You can snowboard, skateboard, surf or wakeboard switch, but not ski.
@stevomcd, yes you can. The term switch comes from the idea of a change from one thing to another. While in skateboarding or snowboarding that means a change of stance, it's perfectly acceptable to use it in reference to skiing and is widely understood. Here's some definitions By the way http://www.finedictionary.com/switch.html
It may come as a shock but the etymology of the word 'switch' referred to change or reverse long before people were standing sideways on things that move.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Try and look over the opposite shoulder to the direction you are turning. One technique you can use is to open your arm like opening a door behind you. Do this whilst linking a few turns and you can work out the timing. Also if you bend at the hip when going a little bit faster it can help with the stability. Twin tips and being more center mounted will help as well.
After all it is free
After all it is free
I find driving the outside ski backwards a bit helps get everything else rotated (while you look over the outside shoulder), and I think tends to help you weight the outside ski. Which will make it want to drive you round the turn. You need to be quite dynamic with your change of shoulder to look over. Trust that as you pass the fall line, your outside ski will grip.
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it's usually a good way to hold up the people you're skiing with
Unless they're trying it too, ditch them for half an hour every now and then to concentrate on what you're trying to do. I had most success at this on a trip to St Lary in the Pyrenees skiing with a couple of friends who weren't remotely interested in getting up before lunch. First lift up, get a piste to yourself when it's freshly groomed and empty. If it's just you and consistent snow with no other variables (people) everything gets much easier.
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Unless you're in the park or teaching, why would you want or need to?
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@Dr John, insightful post, thanks.
If you really want to know I'm no park rat but enjoy a few runs through jumps and intend to start doing some tricks, going backwards is a basic skill for that. But other than that I want to improve my skiing to be a better all rounder. I want to be comfortable skiing ice, powder, piste and park.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@SnoodlesMcFlude, it was a straight question, and it elicited a full explanation from yourself so it ended up being insightful.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@Dr John, I've wanted to be able to do it since trying (and failing) to copy my instructor on my first day.
I'm also really crap in the air / on park stuff and being comfortable going backwards feels like part of getting a real handle of controlling the skis.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
SnoodlesMcFlude wrote:
@Dr John, insightful post, thanks.
If you really want to know I'm no park rat but enjoy a few runs through jumps and intend to start doing some tricks, going backwards is a basic skill for that. But other than that I want to improve my skiing to be a better all rounder. I want to be comfortable skiing ice, powder, piste and park.
Also it can be fun. Skiing isn't always about bombing straight down the hill, it is nice to have some variety to what you do
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@Dr John, sorry, got up early so I've been in a crappy mood and snapping at everyone today
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@SnoodlesMcFlude, ah yes, and mute grabs are just quiet grabs as well, eh?
Sorry, ar$ewards it is. Surprised you guys don't try to call it fakie.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@stevomcd, Sorry, ar$ewards it is. Surprised you guys don't try to call it fakie.
Same would apply to "split boarding" , just looks like skiing to me !
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
stevomcd wrote:
@SnoodlesMcFlude, ah yes, and mute grabs are just quiet grabs as well, eh?
Sorry, ar$ewards it is. Surprised you guys don't try to call it fakie.
Is that chip on your shoulder painful?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
stevomcd wrote:
@SnoodlesMcFlude, ah yes, and mute grabs are just quiet grabs as well, eh?
Sorry, ar$ewards it is. Surprised you guys don't try to call it fakie.
as someone who skates all summer and snowboards all winter I've never been able to work out what it should be called on a snowboard.
for sure though, it neither on ski's, it simply backwards
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Poster: A snowHead
