There are five fundamentals we teach as the foundation of good skiing. While we will focus on each individually to highlight a skill, they are constantly being blended to perform the task at hand.
Five Fundamentals
Control the relationship of the center of mass to the base of support to direct pressure along the length of the ski.
Control pressure from ski to ski and direct pressure toward the outside ski.
Control edge angles through a combination of inclination and angulation.
Control ski rotation through leg rotation separate from the upper body.
Control the magnitude of pressure created through the snow ski interaction.
Below you will find demonstrations of each aspect of these fundamentals. Tasks are designed to highlight fundamentals and your ability to demonstrate tasks pinpoint strengths and weaknesses within your own skiing.
Control the relationship of the center of mass to the base of support to direct pressure along the length of the ski.
You can manage pressure either by moving your body forward/backwards of your feet or by moving your feet forward/backwards of your body. This is not a static position. Your body is constantly in motion to maintain balance and adjust to the terrain.
Control pressure from ski to ski and direct pressure toward the outside ski.
Directing pressure toward the outside ski allows us to balance against it. Without enough pressure to the outside ski you lose the ability to steer it. This does not mean the inside ski has no pressure. This can be accomplished through flexion and extension where the outside leg will lengthen and the inside leg will shorten.
Click here for video on Flexion and Extension Click here for video on Controlling Pressure from Ski to Ski
Control the magnitude of pressure created through the snow ski interaction.
Anticipating and absorbing terrain changes and textures while moving your center of mass in your direction of travel will help you maintain ski to snow contact.
Click here for Video on Absorption Click Here for video on Unweighting
Control edge angles through a combination of inclination and angulation.
Inclination is the result of moving towards the inside of the turn. By allowing your joints to create angles during inclination you create angulation. Angulation allows you to manage those edge angles throughout the turn.
Click here for video on Edge Control Click here for video on Angulation
Click here for video on Skidding Click here for video on Carving
Control ski rotation through leg rotation separate from the upper body.
This allows us to steer our skis in the direction of travel. Turns start with our feet underneath a stable and controlled upper body.
Click here for video on Counter Rotation Click here for video on Leg Rotation