Skiing is like riding a bike!

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.

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.

JP's One-Ski Challenge

I’ve got a great exercise for you this week! Bode made this drill popular in Bormio, Italy after an incident. While traveling at over 60 miles an hour, Bode’s ski popped off and with hardly a flinch he was able to navigate the remainder of the course on one-ski and safely come to a hault. Ever since, the US Ski Team and USSA have championed one-ski skiing drills for all age groups.

One-ski skiing is a wonderful exercise for improving balance and other skiing skills. A good skier should demonstrate:

•     Ability to adjust balance along the length of the skis

•     Ankle awareness inside the boot

•     Engaging and releasing edges by tipping the feet and legs

•     Flexing and extending legs to control pressure

In this drill, a skier should focus on two tasks. First, you have to feel the tongues of the boots on your shins. Second, you have to feel your feet as your skis roll underneath you from your big toe (fully edged position) to your little toe (fully edged position again). This replicates the same sensation you will feel while carving.

How to Practice: You can start by simply lifting one ski in the air while skiing or jump right in and take one ski off. Standing on one leg and on one ski, make some simple movements to feel front, back and neutral position in the shaft of the boot. When you are ready and on a green circle pitch, travel in a straight line and really feel the front of the boot. After you have played with that drill, stand still and roll your ankle and knee right and left. Travels once again in a straight line, then apply the slight roll of the ankle /knee and you will switch directions. Mastering this minor task will give you a new found awareness of balance. The key is to use your whole foot and to channel pressure from your big toe side and little toe side of the foot, this is a precise movement that all good skiers learn to make.

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.

Skier's Tip of the Week

John Pawlak and Bretton Woods Alpine Club Kids

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 New Year.

JP's Tip of the Week:

An “athletic stance” is great but skiing like a robot is going to give you a rough ride. Good skiers are dynamic and always moving in order to maintain balance and control pressure. A good way to work on balance and mobility is to ski through all those bumps and jumps on the side of a run. Recently I introduced "The Berm" to a group of seasonal ski team members. The terrain tested all of their balance points and forced them to be aware of adjustments they need to make in order to stay on top of the snow. Another way to practice this mobility is to go over bigger bumps while keeping your skis on the snow. You will need to bend and extend the joints in different combinations for each situation. Playing and practicing these skills can be a challenge and lots of fun! Keep your hands "generally" in front of you- this is key. Frozen or stiff joints is jarring to the body so stay loose, move and have fun out there.