Ski Techniques

Basic techniques

Actual techniques and ideas about presenting them

Techniques: [ overview | basic | classic | basic XCD | inter XCD | freestyle | adv XCD | survival]

Star turning

Definition
A way of turning whilst stationary, by lifting tips, or tails, of the skis independently, and rotating them slightly to one side, followed smartly by the remaining ski.

Teaching terrain
Flat, preferably soft and not too deep snow.

Teaching approaches

• A great beginning exercise, suitable for a warm-up and at all levels of skill.
• One useful method is to exaggerate knee flex (or lack of it), thereby emphasising the need to bend at the joints.
• It is good to do this (and most other techniques) with the eyes closed, relying on feeling all movements and limbs. Try blindfolding students with their hats.
• Encourage innovation and competition by comparing the patterns left by the skis on the snow.
• Explore more adventurous behaviour by timing an attempted 360° rotation - jump turning may become par for the course.
• Discover what happens when the 'wrong' ski is part-rotated first. How do you get out of this?

Notes
This is one of the first techniques learnt on skis, and it is easy to adopt one of many different styles of teaching - by direct imitation, by feeling, or by instruction. Terrain is extremely important for this, and other basic techniques. Distractions should be minimal.

Falling and recovering

Definition
A safe method of falling over, by falling to the rear and side of the skis, and an effective method of getting back on one's feet, by bringing the skis together and at 90° to the fall-line, and stepping up by kneeling on one ski at a time, or for the more athletic, by kneeling on both skis together.

Teaching terrain
Initially flat, and soft, and not too deep, but ultimately anywhere.

Teaching approaches

• By flexing the knees forward, and sitting backwards and sideways, it is possible to reach the ground without breaking any bones.
• Emphasise slow, safe and relaxed falling, with hands forward and high and poles kept out of the way. Remove students poles if they are complicating matters, at least initially.
• Stress the benefits of landing to the side of the skis, and to the rear (imagine the gruesome scenario of falling forwards) - then bring the skis parallel, across the fall-line.
• Move to gradually steeper terrain, and discover the ease of getting up if the backside falls up into the hill, and not down (not always avoidable).
• Alpine skiers will pull heavily on their poles to get up. By demonstrating the flexibility of Nordic ski boots, these skiers should be able to rely less on the poles for assistance in getting up off the snow.
• Not surprisingly, church-goers find this task easier than most. Getting up from a stint of praying involves the same action (and some say the same degree of humility!).
• An instructor can desensitise the whole issue of falling by making an issue of falling over themselves, particularly if it involves falling into a hole, down a slope, or off an embankment! Don't expect to see your class throwing themselves into the snow with gay abandon if you decline to do so.

Notes
This is an extremely important, and often neglected technique. The fear of falling is often magnified by the fear of not knowing how to get up without effort or embarrassment. In a recovery from the fall, suggest bringing the skis parallel, across the fall-line, and hips up the hill (if a hill exists). Move to kneeling position, then stand up, without delay. Pole use is entirely optional and depends upon prevailing conditions.

Kick turn

Definition
To change direction through 180°, whilst stationary, by using the poles as a support, and kicking one ski forward and pivoting it by the tail resting on the snow, out away from the skier and then facing the opposite direction, followed by the remaining ski and poles. It is possible to kick-turn facing either uphill or downhill, and usually depends upon the general direction of travel, and other factors.

Teaching terrain
Initially flat, and soft, but primarily used on slopes of all angles.

Teaching approaches

• Focus on the 'kick' in the kick turn, and it sticks in the mind more easily. Kick the ski forward and rest its tail on the snow before pivoting. Flex the other leg to help.
• Three points of contact are desirable, thus arms and poles should be used effectively, to promote stability (try it without poles) - especially on a slope.
• If difficulty is encountered, try without one ski on, or both for those really difficult problems. This method works well for a multitude of techniques.
• For the more athletic and flexible students, try the reverse kick-turn: pivot the kicked ski the 'wrong' way (over the standing ski), and bring the other ski alongside.

Notes
To face uphill, or downhill when kick-turning, is always a controversial point. There is no correct answer, as conditions (snow, slope, skis, skier) vary. Some skiers find it less intimidating to face into the hill, others feel more comfortable facing outwards. Look to the possible consequences of falling in any direction, on any slope, and consider carefully how circumstances might change if the skier is wearing a heavy pack. Also consider how things might change if the skier is traversing predominantly up and across a slope and wants to change direction whilst still gaining height. In these circumstances most would kick turn up into the hill (see also Tacking Turn). However, most instructors consider it safer to execute a kick turn only when facing down the fall-line!

Side-stepping and variations

Definition
To ascend or descend any slope safely, by moving the skis sideways one at a time, at 90° to the fall-line.

Teaching terrain
Initially flat, and soft, but primarily used on slopes of all angles.

Teaching approaches

• Weight-transfer is a key point here, and amazingly simple to demonstrate - move body weight from one ski to the other, whilst focussing on the amount of weight-transfer.
• Edge-control is also important. Exercises that develop awareness of edges, and how much to use on a given slope, are essential when side-stepping on firmer snow.
• Pole use is optional, and can be simultaneous with each step, or alternate. Conserve energy and balance by careful and controlled movements of the poles.
• By flexing the knees, confidence is gained. Try this technique with locked (straight) legs. Is it possible, even on the flat?
• Demonstrate what happens when the skis move away from being perpendicular to the fall-line, thus emphasising the importance of keeping them across the slope.

Notes
Another confidence-building technique, and the basis for most XCD techniques (and perfect for slope preparation!). Edge-control by feel rather than sight should be encouraged where possible. Forward side-step is a slight variation of the side-step, with a forward and sideways step up the slope - good for ascending steeper slopes. How do these techniques vary with different types of snow?

Herringbone climbing

Definition
To climb a moderate slope that is too steep to stride or skate up, but not so steep that the sidestep is required, by striding up a hill by placing the skis in a divergent 'V', one at a time, with the tips pointing outward.

Teaching terrain
A slight to moderate slope, preferably soft, but not deep, snow.

Teaching approaches

• Try this without poles, and without skis, initially. Move up a slope and emphasise throwing the hips from side-to-side over each knee-thrust.
• Flexed knees versus straight legs demonstrates the need for either lots of stamina, or a small amount of skill! How does this affect edging? How is this important?
• Poles can be left until later, thus showing the importance of the leg and hip-roll/weight-transfer action.
• On steeper and icier slopes, roll the knee up and inwards for greater adhesion, and pull on the pole-straps (poles planted firmly behind each foot) for extra help.
• The upper body can wreak havoc here - experiment with leaning forwards, and leaning back, whilst herringboning. Is it best to keep the back upright?

Notes
Distraction techniques (i.e. distracting the students whilst they attempt the manœuvre) work well here, as this technique is sometimes made more difficult by trying it out in slow-motion - get the student to count the steps of the person in front, or sing a song, or spell 'herringbone' backwards. Momentum and rhythm is important, as with most techniques, and it helps to find a slope that develops these without overdoing it. Try to avoid overtaxing the limits of ski adhesion in the early stages, as a sense of rhythm is easier to develop when all else is working well.

Tacking turning

Definition
To change direction (approx. 135°) whilst moving diagonally up a slope, without altering one's pace, by performing a lesser variation of the kick turn (facing mostly uphill).

Teaching terrain
A slight to moderate slope, preferably soft, but not deep, snow.

Teaching approaches

• Best taught out touring, as this technique needs to be put into perspective (i.e. used in conjunction with diagonal stride, when climbing sharply).
• Review the kick-turn, on a slope, but integrate moving into the turn, and moving out, without losing any momentum in climbing - it should come naturally.
• Sometimes poles get tangled here - place them near each foot placement if you want to avoid problems, and provide plenty of stability.
• When bringing the following ski around to join the first ski, push it on beyond the first before placing it in the snow, and momentum is maintained. Use the knees to maintain upper-edge control.

Notes
It helps to have a set of zig-zagging tracks winding their way up a slight to moderate hill (put the tracks in yourself as you demonstrate), and ensure that there is plenty of room for leg-swinging. Give each student plenty of room to develop their own tempo - this means delaying each student from following too soon behind the one in front.

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