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...

A common trait of intermediate skiers is whole body rotation - also known as doing too much work .   The skier may turn the whole body as a unit, so that the torso is always square to the skis.  Or, they might generate rotation with upper body force - so that the shoulders turn more than the feet. There are lots of ski instructor drills to develop more effective movements - some of these drills focus on stabilizing the upper body - hold a tray, hold the poles flat, etc.  I often find that its more successful to help skiers learn to steer with rotary movements of the feet and legs independent of the upper body - once these skills are developed, upper body stability can be enhanced afterward. When we want to help develop independent leg steering, don't be afraid to go back to the basics - many of the exercises I use are similar to those in most beginner progressions .   Then, build the progression or lesson around what the student is capable of and their succ...

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....

Effective The core supplies the strength and functional tension to the inside half of the body to facilitate the steering activity of the legs. • Tension to builds up and is released into the new turn • Quiet upper body • The skier’s legs turn underneath a strong/stable torso to help guide the skis through the turn. • Both skis and legs turn together throughout a parallel turn with the femurs turning in the hip sockets (instead of the entire hip coming around) • Movements are progressive, unless an aggressive move is necessary Steering movements of the legs allow us to adjust the radius of the turn and control speed • Shoulders don’t follow tips • Shoulders and hips level • The skis are tipped and turned an appropriate amount to create a smooth C-shaped arc. During turn transitions the lower body releases then realigns with the upper body. • Constant speed and turn shape • Tips follow tails • Center of mass travels a more narrow path then legs Ski into and out of cou...

Rotary movements, along with other movements, allow us to initiate a turn and guide skis through the turn • If your skis are flat they will skid, If your skis are on edge the skis carve • Beginner skiers use large-scale rotary movements often involving the whole body • More advanced skiers use rotary movements that are subtle, originate from the lower body, and are distributed evenly throughout the turn

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...