The Three Technique Steps to Expert Skiing-

The steps from intermediate the expert alpine skiing may be easier than you think. I have spent much of my ski teaching career helping intermediate and advanced students make the leap to higher levels of skiing mastery. The road to improvement isn’t always immediate with marked changes in ones skiing form. Real change may take a combination of equipment customizing, improved fitness and a change in technique and tactics.

Changes in technique can produce dramatic results for the intermediate skier if they can practice the correct movements. Expert skiers can ski a wider variety of terrain and conditions that require dynamic and varied movement combinations. When watching theses movements it appears that the upper and lower bodies are working independently of each other. The athletic image of a strong core powering down the slope with fast active legs underneath can be practice and learned leading to expert skiing skills.

Visible Cues

One characteristic of advanced technique is skiing while keeping the torso facing down hill while the legs turn the skis across the slope and back in the other direction. In ski instructor terms this is called upper/lower body separation.

The second tell tail characteristic of expert technique is having the ability to keep hands and arms disciplined and balanced. Lower level skiers often display wild arm movements or just the opposite, dead arms that hang down to the side. Like a tight rope walker experts hands are positioned for optimum balance usually level with the bottom of the sternum and slightly wider than shoulder width.

The third sign of higher levels of technique are level shoulders. Think of yourself standing down hill of an on coming skier. If the skiers shoulders tip in toward the hill on every turn it can usually signal a glitch in technique. If the skier looks like you can balance a tray of classes across their hands as they ski down the slope they have mastered the skills needed to keep level shoulders.

There are three classic drills that if practiced can bring the intermediate skier closer to expert skiing relatively quickly.

The Progression

STEP 1
The first exercise is the No Pole Drill- This will require you to ditch your poles for the day and ski with your hands in a ready position like the one demonstrated in photo 1. This practice will prepare you to have disciplined arms and hands as well as a strong core. Practice this drill on different slopes and different conditions. If you find powder or bumps try it there for some added excitment. This is an excellent way to ingrain good form for the steep and deep.

Chris Fellows