Notes from Brian Whatley as interpreted by Kerry
Some of the ‘older’ examiners use a simplified movement analysis framework for all moves. It is an easier way to access the visual cues to effective skiing, and each move is still held to the national standard.
1. Athletic stance: In each move the joints should be aligned and use the visual cues to verify that the skier is in a balanced stance.
2. Turn connection: Fluid movement from turn to turn, seamless transition between turns. Things to check for:
Skate to Shape: Remember to pick a skating rhythm that you can maintain in short radius turns. This will help the transition from a sequential skating movement to a fluid turning movement be a smooth, fluid move that is seamless for observers. It is acceptable to swing your arms when skating, this when then gradually become a pole swing and a pole touch as you move from skating to short radius turns. The pole touch should begin when a direction change occurs in the exercise. The core of the body will slightly deviate from the fall line—this is a short radius turn, not a short swing. As a side notes, candidates should be aware that short swings and shorts radius turns are both important tools in a versatile skier’s repertoire. Don’t forget that one of the evaluation points at this exam is Versatility. This will likely be performed on an easy green to blue terrain (i.e. a shallow pitch that then changes to a steeper pitch) but could be performed on black terrain as well depending on conditions.
1000 steps: The exam guide covers all of the information needed for this task. It will probably be performed on blue or groomed black terrain.
Pain in the S: Don’t just do garlands, that is a different movement pattern. The path should be a rounded arc of short radius turns. The Duration, Intensity, Rate, and Timing of your turn movements are changing constantly throughout this exercise. Watch a high end slalom race (in person). Observe how the course is set with ‘lane changes’ and how the turn size and shape changes throughout the course. Shadow-ski the gate course and think about the various tactics used when changing the duration, intensity, rate and timing of each turn. Consecutive turns may change from cross-under to cross-over. Keep the skis on the snow and remember this is short radius turns, NOT short swings.
Leapers: Swing-touch-hop. Get a fluid flex and release of skis. The uphill foot rolls during the extension and the edge change occurs in the air. Ankle flex is key to success in this exercise. If the skier bends more at the knees and hips as opposed to the ankles, the butt will move back behind the feet and limit upward movement. The hips should move toward the ski pole as opposed to back and away.
White pass turns: This is a drill to short cut turn entry, it is a tactical maneuver. The upper body cannot tip into the hill which is a common misstep. Also this is a dynamic maneuver—use speed to your advantage. The outside foot must leave the ground due to extension of the support leg. The outside foot comes down near the fall line due to flexion of the support leg. It is probably a black terrain exercise.
Sequential Converging Hop Turns: Land in balance. The pole touch can stabilize the upper body—pole will touch about the same time the skis touch the ground. The ski can slide a little bit, but there cannot be a big smear at the bottom for speed control. Use the core to stabilize the body. If there is stalling or double pumping of the poles, the skier is out of balance and the maneuver will not be successful. Achieve speed control by twisting the ski in the air enough to land across the hill.
Simultaneous parallel hops: Un-zip your coat, this will be a tough exercise. The skis are pivoted in the air and speed control is essential without forward glide. The skier gets airborne due to extension, not retraction. Use a pole plant to aid with timing. This will likely be on black terrain.
Tuck turns: This is another dynamic exercise where speed will aid success. There is a bit of cross under during this exercise, and as speed increases, more counter will develop along with a greater degree of bending the ski. This is not just railroad track turns, and the skier should keep the skis at least hip-width apart to properly complete this exercise.
Mountain terrain, conditions, and available facilities may change the exam. Some exams will include running gates or skiing in a half pipe.
Half pipe: Be able to ski comfortably in the pipe, and in a small pipe get a little air. The demonstrator will show appropriate moves for success in the exam. (i.e. Candidates do not have to ski like Josh Haagen to be successful)
Bumps: The exam will likely include a free run in the bumps, and candidates should be prepared to ski a run like Outer Limits (at Killington) top to bottom. This is actually considered a short run when comparing with comparable terrain out West or in Europe. The free run should be mainly in the fall line, though an occasional lane change is acceptable. There should never be a traverse, and don’t let the skier be caught ‘humping sheep’ as Shostek would say. (Humping sheep is traversing across several bumps in a row without making a turn down the fall line. ) Speed management is key to success especially in preventing dramatic wipeouts. The candidate should attempt to use various parts of the bump (tops, ruts, sides, etc) and even get functional air. Have fun. If the candidate picks the ‘easy line,’ the candidate will likely be marked harder. The candidate should pick a smart line so that they are not skiing defensively or needing to conduct speed checks.
Another likely task in the bumps will be to lead a ‘Level 7’ skier through the bumps. This is often conducted in response to super-aggressive skiing down the ruts/zipper line to ensure the candidate can ‘tone down’ the level of skiing to match the customer’s ability. The candidate should choose a clean line with variation in approach that will ensure success for the Level 7 skier. Some options include bump garlands, a bit of traverse between turns, slower speeds, and variety of approach.
The exam is a stressful environment. The candidate should not go to an exam worried about mechanics of good skiing. If this is the case, the candidate is not ready for the exam. The focus should be on tactics, and how the skiing mechanics can be adapted to changing conditions at the exam. Occasionally changing conditions cause equipment malfunctions or breakage. Candidates should be prepared with extra goggles, skis, etc that will allow them to continue on in the exam without worry. A properly prepared instructor is looked well upon during the exam.
Good luck!
Some of the ‘older’ examiners use a simplified movement analysis framework for all moves. It is an easier way to access the visual cues to effective skiing, and each move is still held to the national standard.
1. Athletic stance: In each move the joints should be aligned and use the visual cues to verify that the skier is in a balanced stance.
2. Turn connection: Fluid movement from turn to turn, seamless transition between turns. Things to check for:
- Are balance corrections happening
- Does the skier end up in the back seat and have to re-center?
- Does the skier tip shoulders or hips into the turn especially at the end of one turn and have to make a gross adjustment to begin the next turn?
- Are the skis remaining parallel throughout the turn?
- Does the skier push the tails out, especially at the bottom of the turn?
- Does the pivoting of the ski originate from the tip of the ski and is the pivot point beneath the feet? (In a shorter turn with some skid involved)
Read the newly updated exam guide. The descriptions for each task are included, as well as a section called WTLF. This is what to look for, and describes what the examiners will be looking for. The following notes are intended to be added interpretations, Brian’s opinions on what the task involves, and coaching tips for instructors helping to train Level 3 candidates. During an exam, always refer to what the demonstrator says and does because they are not grading you based on this document!
Skate to Shape: Remember to pick a skating rhythm that you can maintain in short radius turns. This will help the transition from a sequential skating movement to a fluid turning movement be a smooth, fluid move that is seamless for observers. It is acceptable to swing your arms when skating, this when then gradually become a pole swing and a pole touch as you move from skating to short radius turns. The pole touch should begin when a direction change occurs in the exercise. The core of the body will slightly deviate from the fall line—this is a short radius turn, not a short swing. As a side notes, candidates should be aware that short swings and shorts radius turns are both important tools in a versatile skier’s repertoire. Don’t forget that one of the evaluation points at this exam is Versatility. This will likely be performed on an easy green to blue terrain (i.e. a shallow pitch that then changes to a steeper pitch) but could be performed on black terrain as well depending on conditions.
Railroad Tracks: This is not just riding the sidecut of the ski at Level 3. You should be able to bend the ski to tighten the turn radius as forces build up (i.e. go faster so that dynamic movements become easier). This is probably performed on green terrain.
Pivot slips: A centered position helps keep the path of the feet in the fall line even as the skis rotate 180 degrees left and right. Remember that a countered position also is vital in this exercise. Utilize smart tactical movements here, this is not the time to hit a clump of snow and flip over. Use a pole plant to help start the turn. This is likely to be performed on blue or black terrain.
1000 steps: The exam guide covers all of the information needed for this task. It will probably be performed on blue or groomed black terrain.
Pain in the S: Don’t just do garlands, that is a different movement pattern. The path should be a rounded arc of short radius turns. The Duration, Intensity, Rate, and Timing of your turn movements are changing constantly throughout this exercise. Watch a high end slalom race (in person). Observe how the course is set with ‘lane changes’ and how the turn size and shape changes throughout the course. Shadow-ski the gate course and think about the various tactics used when changing the duration, intensity, rate and timing of each turn. Consecutive turns may change from cross-under to cross-over. Keep the skis on the snow and remember this is short radius turns, NOT short swings.
Leapers: Swing-touch-hop. Get a fluid flex and release of skis. The uphill foot rolls during the extension and the edge change occurs in the air. Ankle flex is key to success in this exercise. If the skier bends more at the knees and hips as opposed to the ankles, the butt will move back behind the feet and limit upward movement. The hips should move toward the ski pole as opposed to back and away.
White pass turns: This is a drill to short cut turn entry, it is a tactical maneuver. The upper body cannot tip into the hill which is a common misstep. Also this is a dynamic maneuver—use speed to your advantage. The outside foot must leave the ground due to extension of the support leg. The outside foot comes down near the fall line due to flexion of the support leg. It is probably a black terrain exercise.
Sequential Converging Hop Turns: Land in balance. The pole touch can stabilize the upper body—pole will touch about the same time the skis touch the ground. The ski can slide a little bit, but there cannot be a big smear at the bottom for speed control. Use the core to stabilize the body. If there is stalling or double pumping of the poles, the skier is out of balance and the maneuver will not be successful. Achieve speed control by twisting the ski in the air enough to land across the hill.
Lane change: There should not be a traverse ever during this maneuver. The medium radius turn should bring the skier across the hill while maintaining momentum (i.e. Do not pick up speed through the short radius turns and then check speed in the medium radius).The first short turn MUST have shape at the top. Speed control is key, and all turns must be ROUND.
Simultaneous parallel hops: Un-zip your coat, this will be a tough exercise. The skis are pivoted in the air and speed control is essential without forward glide. The skier gets airborne due to extension, not retraction. Use a pole plant to aid with timing. This will likely be on black terrain.
Tuck turns: This is another dynamic exercise where speed will aid success. There is a bit of cross under during this exercise, and as speed increases, more counter will develop along with a greater degree of bending the ski. This is not just railroad track turns, and the skier should keep the skis at least hip-width apart to properly complete this exercise.
Mountain terrain, conditions, and available facilities may change the exam. Some exams will include running gates or skiing in a half pipe.
Half pipe: Be able to ski comfortably in the pipe, and in a small pipe get a little air. The demonstrator will show appropriate moves for success in the exam. (i.e. Candidates do not have to ski like Josh Haagen to be successful)
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