Ski Cross, also referred to as Skier-X, is a specific type of skiing competition derived from the snowboarding competition, boardercross. The timed race takes skiers down a course equipped with jumps and hills as well as natural racing terrain. The first round is a time trial to pick the fastest 32 skiers. From here, skiers race in groups of four, with the top two of each group advancing to the future round.
Downhill Skiing
The most basic element of Skier-X racing is the downhill aspect. While you will eventually be skiing downhill with multiple racers, to start, it's best to work on your downhill form and technique on green beginner slopes. As you improve, move to more advanced slopes, such as blue squares and black diamonds. The majority of Skier-X races take place on the equivalent of a blue square, which prevents the hills from being too steep. As a result, timing yourself down these hills will help you get an idea of your overall speed and where you need to improve. As you improve your speed, start skiing with multiple skiers, making sure not to hit them during a race. Intentional contact during a Skier-X race results in automatic disqualification.
Jumps
After gaining experience in downhill skiing, work on your jumps. During a Skier-X competition, jumps that are properly executed provide shortcuts for skiers on the slopes. Being able to properly land a jump will also increase your speed downhill, improving your time and pace during an event. To practice jumps, start in the tricks park at your local mountain. Spend time working on keeping your knees bent and body centered during your jumps. While you can work on tricks, jumps in a Skier-X competition are entirely used for speed. No additional points are awarded to individuals who perform complicated jumps.
Competition
After training and preparing for several months, your next step in getting into Skier-X is to enter a competition. While top tier competitions, such as the X Games, are impossible to get into without becoming a professional skier, open events take place throughout the year at different locations. Some places, including the Sun Valley Resort in Idaho and Beech Mountain Resort in North Carolina, hold open competitions throughout the year. While many of these competitions are simply for fun, others are attended by professional ski teams and their coaches, giving you the opportunity to impress top level skiers. If they think you're of an elite caliber, you may be offered a tryout with an official ski team.
Caution
While Skier-X is a recreational sport that improves your endurance and cardiovascular health, the high speeds and sharp angles you take on a regular basis make the sport dangerous for individuals who haven't received proper training. Always wear a helmet as well as wrist guards and padded clothing while skiing. If you feel as if you're using improper form on the slopes, take a lesson from a professional instructor or simply spend additional time on the bunny slopes until you find your footing.
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