To the untrained eye, a professional skier looks to be going straight down the hill at top speed, but appearances are deceiving. Skiers actually perform a series of linked turns that control the direction of their movements while keeping speed in check. The ideal alpine ski turn requires balance, spatial awareness, skill, coordination, patience, confidence, an understanding of ski turn mechanics and proper equipment. Ignoring even one of these essentials distorts the entire turn shape. The ski season is relatively short, so your off-slope training is as important as on-slope ski drills.
Equipment
Step 1
Record a video of your on-mountain skiing performance, either using a helmet cam or by having a friend film you as you ski.
Step 2
Show your video to a certified ski boot fitter. Ask him to install foot beds and make the necessary alignment adjustments on your boots.
Step 3
Walk around your apartment in your ski boots to break them in before you go to the slopes.
Step 4
Practice ski-specific balance exercises while wearing your ski boots. Stand upright with your feet shoulder width apart, and shift your weight so you balance on the little toe of one foot and the big toe of the other. Flatten your feet and transition to the other side.
Step 5
Take a lesson at the start of ski season, using your newly adjusted boots. Ask the instructor for tips about adapting your body to the new alignment.
Ankle Strengthening
Step 1
Place a towel on a waxed floor, and place a weight or a soup can on one end of the towel.
Step 2
Stand with your left foot on the floor and your right foot on the towel, next to the weight.
Step 3
Tip your right foot until you're on your little toe, and drag the towel along the floor toward your left foot. Perform 10 repetitions on each side.
Step 4
Put on your ski boots and perform the same exercise.
On the Slope
Step 1
Ride the lift to the top of an easy green slope. As you ride, repeat the phrase "touch, tip, pivot" over and over again until you reach the top.
Step 2
Get off the lift and face downhill.
Step 3
Slide downhill facing directly into the fall line.
Step 4
Touch your ski pole into the snow, about two inches in front of your right little toe.
Step 5
Tip your skis onto the little toe edge of your right ski and the big toe edge of your left ski. Pivot both feet to the right to shape the turn. Flatten your skis and repeat the movement to the left.
Tips and Warnings
- Gain confidence by practicing skills on easy terrain before attempting them on advanced trails. The tipping movement precedes the steering movement, advises ski instructor Lito Tejada Flores. Keep your skis on their edges for as long as possible to make a rounder turn.
- If you feel out of control, make sure your ski boots are properly snapped into your bindings. If you did not hear a click when you snapped into your skis, your bindings are unstable.
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