The fundamental skiing movements set the groundwork for the more advanced techniques. They establish balance, proper stance and allow the student to become comfortable with the gliding sensation, and with the concept of surrendering to, as opposed to fighting the forces of gravity. The basic ski moves also help the student understand the relationship between her body and her equipment, and her equipment and the snow.
Function
Teaching the student to control his speed while sliding down the hill is the primary function of the basic snow skiing moves. Aside from ski wax, which reduces ski to snow friction and makes the skis move faster, body position is essential for speed control. The skis move fastest when pointing straight down the fall line, which is the most direct line down the hill. Friction is minimized in this position. Friction increases, and slows the skier down, if he turns his skis across or up the hill. Many basic ski moves allow the novice skier to play with the idea of increasing and reducing friction. The teacher may have the student point the skis down the hill for a short segment, and then turn the skis up and across the hill to slow down.
Identification
The Professional Ski Instructors of America identifies four basic ski skills: balance, edge, pressure and rotary movements. Balance is directly related to stance. The knees are flexed, the feet are open at shoulder width, and the shins touch the boot tongue. Edging describes the act of tipping the ski, so that the skier has her weight on the outside edge of one ski and the inside edge of the other. Pressure occurs when the skier shifts more weight on to the outside edge. Rotary moves steer the ski in the direction of the turn.
Types
Ski coach Leonid Feldman, who founded the You Can Ski website, describes the four basic ways to descend the slopes. The skier can slide straight down the slope, in the direction of the fall line. If she turns her skis so that they are perpendicular to the fall line, flattens her skis and turns her upper body toward the fall line, she will slip down the hill. This is called the side slip. Students are taught that this move provides a safer descent if they accidentally ski into an area that is too steep for their abilities. Skidding combines slipping and sliding, in that the skis tails make a wider arc than the tips. Carving involves placing the skis on edge and making circular arcs through the snow.
Mechanics
The basic carved turn happens in four fluid and connected phases. The skier establishes speed by pointing her skis down the fall line. She then tips her skis in the direction of the turn. To turn right, for example, she tips her ski on to the right little toe edge. During the steering phase, she rotates her feet so that the skis turn up the hill. The skier then unwinds from the turn by flattening both skis and extending her legs. She will be facing the fall line, where she can initiate the turn in the other direction.
Expert Insight
Ski instructor Craig McNeil, who authored "How to Ski the Blues and Blacks without Getting Black and Blue," suggests integrating breathing with your turns. Breath out as you tip your skis on to their edges, and breath in as you flatten your skis and extend your legs. Breathing helps you relax and establish an even rhythm.
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