Diva Ski Tips

I'm not a feeler. So what.  I said this for a long time myself.   And I didn't get much better at skiing. I'm not a feeler, but I seek intrinsic feedback and sensation to ski (hopefully) better. Just because they are hard to gather, doesn't mean we should leave sensations alone.   What makes a turn "feel" good? I've spent some time asking instructors and students what they feel this year. I believe that we all feel, but to effectively coach (and self-coach), it's essential to identify where our primary sensations arise and train ourselves to recognize those and other sensations. Foot feelings: where weight is on the foot along the sole and notice lateral pressure.  sense changes in where the pressure is throughout the turn.  notice when footbeds are old or socks thicker than usual. Leg feelings:  getting to the 'corner of the boot' and actually know what it means. lighter and firmer pressure against the tongue of the boot.  no...

I've spent a lot of time trying to correct this thing when I would just shove my hips to the side to edge by skis then I dumped by body inside. To fix this, I spent a lot of time working on edging from the feet up. Caveat: It’s pretty common for people to do this and move purely laterally. Make sure your instructions and demos emphasize forward and diagonal movement. Also, keep an eye out and fix it quickly. Start statically by rolling the uphill instep towards the little toe. You might have to point out where the instep is. You can enhance this by moving to the corner of the boot. I try this out using a garland moving from the corner one boot to the other. You will likely see students try to twist the ski instead of tipping it. Remind students that we want to tip the ski before we twist it. Then I bring up the focus to the thigh. Moving the thigh forward and inside the turn will draw the hips and upper body inside. Thanks to the Elk guy who taught me this and helped me m...

This is a pretty classic drill that hits on all the elements of the skills concept . The “standard” version involves making small steps throughout a series of turns. There are many variations on the theme of 10,000 or 1,000 steps (depending on how you say it). It can be customized to work for different skills, skier levels, ages and parts of the turn. Beginners Any hopping, stepping, or shuffling style activities work on the two most important skills for beginners: balance and rotary . You can use them with just boots and/or one ski then repeat with both skis on flat or very gentle terrain. Intermediate Using this kind of drill can help facilitate matching skis. For wedge turners stepping or shuffling drills will improve balance and rotary movements of the inside leg. You can help more advanced intermediates become parallel skiers by working on engaging and releasing edges. Step to the edges, then flat, then to the new edges. Your student may be reluctant to pick up a ski....

I heart Weems and think every instructor should get over to edgechange.com and get his book. Changing edges is the critical move at the critical moment that determines whether you will make, and connect, smooth, fluid turns—or whether you’ll be taken over by alien beings bent on destroying your dignity (and your body). What follows are several ways of thinking about edge change. Each serves as a different cue to evoke a different awareness in the body, and all are effective. You choose. Change both edges at once. The body wants to “walk”—using one foot, then the other. Resist the bipedal urge! Instead, tip both edges from one side to the other at the same time. This is, after all, the definition of “parallel” skiing. Tip first, then turn. Your boots are naturally tipped uphill at the end of a turn. Before you try to change direction, tip both of them downhill. Tip them downhill before you try any other move. Very scary! It can feel like you’re falling off the mountain; but i...

Effective edging Focus on moving forward, in the direction of the new turn and through the boot cuffs to create • Round turn shape • Long leg/short leg w/ edge engagement • Consistent stance width • Parallel shins and boots, maintaining forward and lateral contact • Tension of the inside leg helps maintain alignment. Flexion of the inside ankle directs movement forward and laterally for edge-angle adjustments. Both skis should move to the new edges simultaneously versus sequentially, while striving to maintain ski/snow contact (with both skis). • Angulation occurs early in the turn • Smooth transitions • Snow sprays to the side of the hill • Both skis tip the same amount early in the turn with the strongest angles developing in or near the fall line. Edge release and re-engagement should happen in one fluid movement. • The tracks will show this • Skier doesn’t hold on to the turn to long • Tails do not displace The positive engagement of the skis’ tips should draw y...

Edging movements allow a skier to • Change direction • Control speed • Change the size and shape of turn • Slip, skid and carve Inclination (Tipping) Edging is created by tipping different parts of the body together The higher the tipping occurs the larger the amount of movement Inclination w/o angulation is knows as whole body tipping or banking Angulation Involves forming angles between body segments and flexing and extending along a diagonal or lateral plane (eg. On a short radius turn your upper body remains stationary and your legs move) This allows you to • Change the amount of edge angle w/o changing inclination • Maintain a balanced stance • Resist forces created during the turn • Align the body to work most effectively • Manage pressure from ski to ski • Increase or decrease the speed of foot movements • Alter turn shape • Negotiate changes terrain and conditions We angluate with a combination of hips, knees and ankles The hips create the biggest cha...

Note: I can't remember where I found this. I apologize to whoever I've taken this from. Although we practice these skills one at a time, keep in mind that the functional blending of these skills is the ultimate goal in all levels of skiing. Keep practicing! Balance and Stance A balanced state allows you to have a positive, selective effect with either leg during any part a turn. To become more consistent with your balance:Use all of your joints – ankles, knees, hips and lower back evenly and appropriately together, not one more than the other. Feet should remain under hips vs. ahead of hips Outside ski should bend more than inside ski Outside leg carries more weight than inside leg Shoulders, hips, and hands remain level (angluation) vs. tipping in (inclination) Inside hand, shoulder and hip lead into turn, not outside Hands are in front of the body, not at sides Activities to enhance balance 2 footed shuffles 1000 shuffle turns Ski without poles 1000 steps L...