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 heard a lot of our instructors talking about "feeling the side of the foot" when turning the legs.  When I ask if they can feel the side of their big toe during bow-ties or figure 8's in boots, they say they do.   Here's a secret: I don't .  And no, it's  not  because I have boots three sizes too big.  So can we really expect our beginner skiers to feel a such subtle difference - resistance from the side of the boot versus pressure down onto the foot?   That downward pressure isn't desired at the beginner level - it means our skiers are either tipping the skis on edge without control over turn radius or (more likely) are pressuring the outside ski to turn, a strategy that will not promote progression to parallel.   Part of learning any sport is becoming familiar with and paying attention to the sensations.  In another post, I'll discuss how you can tune into sensations to improve your skiing.  For now, lets think about it fro...

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....

Lateral weight transfer is a component of pressure management. It can happen progressively or abruptly, depending on the desired outcome. • Smooth and flowing transition • Not much snow spray • Joints progressively flex and extend • Skis flow evenly and smoothly over the terrain • Skis bend progressively, with the entire length engaged Maintain the "strength in length" of the outside leg during the highest loading portion of the turn unless yielding to the influence of terrain and snow conditions or releasing the turn. Tactics, terrain, speed, snow conditions and turn shape will alter the timing, intensity and the amount of weight distribution along the length of the ski and foot to foot. Pressure management incorporates aspects of fore/aft adjustments as well as lateral movements. When pressure control is lacking, the skier looks as if she or he is fighting the terrain rather than working with it. • The skis and skier get bounced around by the terrain. • The ...

• Requires the constant action of muscles and use of specific movements to moderate forces foot to foot • The amount of pressure can be controlled by moving the CM, changing the turn radius, speed, amount of blend in the joints, edge angle or weight distribution • Pressure is greatest at the bottom of the turn Fore and Aft Control pressure along the length of the feet and ski You can shift your CM by leaning your whole body or shifting stance Turn Radius Tight or short radius turns create more pressure than long radius turns Speed The greater the speed the greater the pressure Flexion and Extension • The speed at which you flex or extend can define the amount and duration of a turn • If you move at a constant rate the pressure can stay the same • Flexion helps absorb changes in terrain and snow conditions and allows powerful rotary movements • Flexion can be active (muscular contraction) or passive (letting a bump push up your legs) • Extension is active move, such ...

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...