From Snow Plow to Parallel

I am a beginner skier with only 5 trips under my belt. My firsst 3 instructors taught the snow plow method, and the last 2 attempted the parallel method. I have no problem balancing on my skis and probably lack the fear I should have as I start flying down the slope. :O

Is there anyway to break the snow plow habit? I always seem to revert back to it when in a bind to shed speed. I find the snow plow really isn't that helpful in slowing down but does help if I start a semi snow plow in an effort to get parallel.

Any information on good DVD's, books, etc or personal tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! :D

I was a beginner 2 years ago and i was terrified when i frist started. I went to lessons like 3 times and i was like "screw that" lol. Basically its all about your feel. When i saw all of the people flying past me while i was snow plowing i was just like jeez i really gotta do something about this. Just try different things out. You will eventually learn on your own how to shift your weight and what works and what doesnt. You will deffinitley come around..its just a matter of time m8. My advice to you is just to ovserve other skiiers and try things out on your own..have fun and be safe.

Anglwingz wrote:Is there anyway to break the snow plow habit?

There is no substitute for just building up snow time but if you want to progress fast your best bet will be some private lessons from a good instructor. It sounds like you're half way there and are doing something like a "stem turn" - which used to be taught as an intermediate step between snowplough and parallel.

Bite the bullet and book an instructor for a couple of hours each day; private lessons may cost you more up front but they will be much better value than group sessions. Private lessons can be tuned to exactly your level of skiing, fitness and embition so are much more enjoyable than hanging around in a group.

The danger of learning by yourself is that you will pick up bad habits that will be increasingly difficult to un-learn as you try to progress. There are basics of stance, edging and foot pressure that are essential to get right if you want to end up skiing the whole mountain with confidence.

The earlier you learn what's right, the quicker you'll progress and the more fun you'll have! 8)

Thanks for the replies! I get a private instructor for the first 2 days of each trip I take. They are all so different but all have something great to offer. I wish I had never learned that whole "pizza" stop! lol

Thanks again!

Do any of you happene to know of a group or forum where solo skiers join to together for ski trips?

In skiing there is two important aspects. Ski technique and ski strategy!
Ski tecnique is what the insructor teaches
position of hands
feet pressure
edge set
body position

What is not taught is ski strategy.
Allow me to give you one hint!
Strategy 1 Use the hill for your speed control. Imagine rather than going down straight go across slope ( Yes I know most male skiers feel that skiing is going down straight down). You control the spedd by how long you keep turning.
So;
if you keep turn ( set edge) a long time you will end up going up the hil. Try it
if you keep turn short, you will keep speed.
The first is called a Giant Slalom turn
The second is called a slalom turn

Play with this. Try long turns. Then short turns. Soon you will "feel" the relation between speed and radius of your turn!
Long turns= slower short turns= faster.

The beauty to skiing is that there are many many such strategies you will learn as you progress! Watch expert skiers! Follow expert skiers ( when you will be able)! They pick the best line!

One hint
Why do expert skiers turn on the edges of the ski run and not in the center!

Will give you answer in a few weeks!