For advanced skiers, one common concern is how to break
away from a skidded turn and dive into something more pure and smooth. To allow
for this fine tuning to occur the body needs to developed to maintain angles.
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| John Pawlak playing in powder with Zai Skis |
Most people understand that in order to deal with
the forces in a turn you need to lean to the inside. This is called
“inclination” and is all about balancing in the turn. You make the same
movement when you turn a corner on a bicycle. The faster you go and sharper you
turn the more inclination you will need. However, when you make a sharp turn on
a bike typically one foot or pedal is
lower than the other! If the inside pedal is low, you will scuff it on the
pavement. If the outside pedal is low and the inside is flexed with your knee
close to your chest, you will navigate the turn sharper. The same
applies to skiing. The inside ski must "crunch" up toward your chest.
That simple move will direct the weight /forces in the turn to the outside ski
which is where the majority of the forces should build.
So next time you are willing to experiment with a
technique..... "Go Ride A Bike." At the completion of a turn, pedal
down with the now outside ski (extend it). This subtle move manages dynamic fundamentals.
Next try to hook up the new edge sooner in the turn. You want to direct your
movement down the hill and into the new turn. When you extend or pedal down
your outside leg, don't forget to "pedal up" the other leg. That
sequential movement will engage your edges to the snow earlier and give you
more carve throughout the turn!
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Jp
John Pawlak, PSIA-E, USSA, and Director of the Bretton Woods Alpine Club shares a ski tip of the week to help skier's up their game as they swish into the season.
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