First Time Lesson Review

If you just completed a beginner lesson with me, here are some of the topics we likely covered:


EQUIPMENT CHECK

  • Boots: Snug but not too tight, one pair of warm socks and nothing else in boot.

  • Bindings: Rear pointing up, stomp heel down until it “clicks."

  • Skis: Tips in front, Tails in back, always check to be sure boots don’t “wiggle."

  • Poles: Straps around wrist (unless riding a lift), hold at the handles, tips pointed behind your heels.


BASIC MOVEMENT ON SNOW

  • Athletic stance: Knees bent, feet about shoulder width apart, hands in front of you, shoulders back and eyes up.

  • Moving in circles on the flat snow with one ski at first and then with two skis.

  • Climbing small hills by pushing yourself forward with poles, side-stepping up the hill and “duck-walking."


SLIDING/GLIDING/SMILING!!!

  • Simple glide: Pole push in the athletic stance, slide straight down until stopped.

  • Wedge glide: Slide straight down pressing tails apart/tips together maintaining stance.

  • Wedge stop: Starting in wedge glide, lower backside and press tails apart until stopped.

  • Wedge turn: Flex knee toward toe (right knee for left turn/left knee for right turn), drop shoulder toward tips, pick a focal point up the hill, let your body follow your eyes.



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More Advanced Skills


RIDING THE MAGIC CARPET LIFT

  • Face straight up hill, shuffle onto belt, lean forward upon entry.

  • At top of lift slide straight ahead, move off to the side as soon as possible.


LINKING TURNS

  • Use same wedge turn, finish off one turn slightly uphill, flex opposite knee and drop opposite shoulder, pick focal point toward opposite side of the hill.

  • Start by doing two turns and stopping, assess what went well, then move on to three turns, etc…


MOVING TO MORE CHALLENGING TERRAIN

  • Second magic carpet lift.

  • Use banked turns.

  • Third magic carpet.

  • Start slow on steeper hill.


RIDING THE CHAIRLIFT

  • Pole straps off and in one hand.

  • Stand at first stop point, let chair pass.

  • If necessary, ask attendant to slow chair down for loading.

  • Shuffle to 2nd stop point, turn and spot chair behind you.


KEEP CHALLENGING YOURSELF

  • Shorter, faster turns.

  • Matching skis (parallel)

  • Squaring shoulders to the hill, pivoting at the waist.

  • Blue/Black diamonds

  • Uneven terrain/Terrain parks/Mogul skiing