One of the most common issues among good skiers is the coordination of movement patterns – or more specifically “when” we move.
Looking at the photo sequence, you can see that when the skis are flat on the snow and underneath the bod,y the legs are actually the most bent or “squished” that they will be at any one part of the turn. Letting the legs bend through the end of the arc allows the mass to lower (stability) as well as to regulate pressure. How much or how fast the skier lets his leg’s bend depends on the situation.
As his skis grip the snow, the skier’s legs lengthen, which allows him to balance laterally in the new turn.
Once the skier is engaged through the fall line, his outside leg is the longest it will be, which puts him in a balanced position.
While steering the skis through the turn completion, the legs bend as the pressure is building. By “softening” the downhill leg (not keeping it too “stiff”), he releases his mass into the direction of the new turn, which starts the process of linking over again.
‘Let’ your legs unwind as you steer towards the fall line to establish a platform, then ‘allow’ your legs to bend as pressure builds. Practicing this on a gentle groomed run will improve your timing and lateral balance – once you have done this, you can gradually increase the speed to see how much more you will need to move as pressure and load increase.
Enjoy the start of the season!
Sandy Gardner
CSIA Level 1 Program Coordinator, Ontario
CSIA PDP Coordinator, Ontario
