Skiing Technique

Hi there,

So Ill start this post off any saying that I started skiing from the age of 4. Finished ski school at. Avery young age, but then due to school I did not really have time to go skiing, lessons etc, only really went on 1 weekly trip a year. However, as I now have turned 21 finished all my studies. I find myself with more time to go on ski trips with friends and more time to learn.

Now I know that lessons are by far the best way to improve and remove any bad habits, that I most definitely have picked up over the years for sure. I thought id ask the forum just for some tips so that I can get a minute ion how to improve alongside the advice given by the instructor I hope to receive in the next few weeks.

Annoyingly I can happily ski blacks, even done a few double blacks and Im constantly off piste and always feel in control, however, I know that Im not being as "efficient" so to speak and defiantly do not have the style I wish to be skiing with! Also I seem to have developed a weird head tilt that I have no idea where that has come from at all!

I have spent a lot of time watching videos and also reading on technique and how to improve, mentally I feel I have the tools and knowledge of how I need to be physically performing. Yet when I jump on the slopes I really do not seem to be able to implement.

Especially when it comes to how much flex, I feel im much more bendy (I know thats a terrible expression, but using for the sole purpose of it defines what I mean). As shown in the video clips I will post. I dont seem to bend very much at all even though when im skiing I feel I am, I cant explain it but I feel Im bending at the knees and ankles a lot more then it looks in the video.

VIdeo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiYxnNQyyg4

I would just appreciate any pointers or tips that I can go on the slope and work on before my lessons as well as jut any information for me to think about.

Greatly appreciated

:)

Hi, and welcome! Firstly, kudos for submitting your technique to scrutiny! 8)

You're clearly good enough to enjoy yourself in most conditions, and probably only need a couple of hours 1-on-1 private instruction for someone skilled to find and fix (or start you on the road to fixing) your weaknesses.

I'm not qualified to advise, but flex and balance (or lack of) are good places to start for most of us and there are "dry land" drills you can do ahead of snow time.

Warren Smith (whose Ski Academy is well-known to UK skiers - lots of technique clips online) does some pre-season technique labs where he zeroes in on flex and bio-mechanics, with some exercises to work out how much (or little) you're "flexing" (or bending, if you like!).

If you've not seen it, you might find this useful :-



Some of our forum regulars are (or have been) instructors, so hopefully one of them will come out of their summer hibernation shortly too... :lol:

Admin wrote:Hi, and welcome! Firstly, kudos for submitting your technique to scrutiny! 8)

You're clearly good enough to enjoy yourself in most conditions, and probably only need a couple of hours 1-on-1 private instruction for someone skilled to find and fix (or start you on the road to fixing) your weaknesses.

I'm not qualified to advise, but flex and balance (or lack of) are good places to start for most of us and there are "dry land" drills you can do ahead of snow time.

Warren Smith (whose Ski Academy is well-known to UK skiers - lots of technique clips online) does some pre-season technique labs where he zeroes in on flex and bio-mechanics, with some exercises to work out how much (or little) you're "flexing" (or bending, if you like!).

If you've not seen it, you might find this useful :-



Some of our forum regulars are (or have been) instructors, so hopefully one of them will come out of their summer hibernation shortly too... :lol:

Hey

Yes I was quite nervous, but understand that if Im dedicated to improve in the ways I want I cant e ashamed of the bad habits Ive picked up!

I haven't seen the video you linked and I really appreciate that thank you very much!

Mine main observation is that you could probably be a bit more dynamic. More angulation and really trying to drive the downhill ski through a lengthening of the leg. That will convert you from cruisy to crushing.

I found sofa ski school DVD very help full

http://www.sofaskischool.com/home/

Ranchero_1979 wrote:Mine main observation is that you could probably be a bit more dynamic. More angulation and really trying to drive the downhill ski through a lengthening of the leg. That will convert you from cruisy to crushing.

Hi Ranchero

I appreciate you reaching out and giving your comments. Is there anything you recommend for being able to get more angulation and be more dynamic. Ive read a lot and watched a lot and when it comes to implementation I dont feel like I am getting the desired results. Again Ive booked into a technique course to try remove this

broom wrote:I found sofa ski school DVD very help full

http://www.sofaskischool.com/home/

Hey Broom

Cheers for reaching out and offering some help! I will definitely give this a look over thank you

Another vote for sofaskischool, I have both of the dvds and Klaus does a video analysis option, they also do lessons in Austria.