Learn To Ski Online

When   ski   touring   in   the   mountains   or   in the woods, these ski areas has all the variety to offer - skimming down a slope at lull speed, turning with consummate ease, with the pleasurable sensation all the time that your body is obeying your command, in a series of smooth rhythmical movements that assist you to defy the laws of gravity, you’ll enjoy ski-ing at its very best.

In recent years there have been signs that the more spectacular aspects of ski-ing are being exploited. Trained acrobats perform such circus acts as turning a summersault on skis, executing turns on one ski, etc. Summer-time finds the water-skier cavorting in the wake of a last motor launch or a small aircraft. All these forms of ski-ing demand the same high degree of skill and control of muscle as downhill running, and are an excellent wax of perfecting one’s timing and coordination. But at best they are onl\   sidelines.

Ski-ing out in the open, oil the beaten track, with the wide-open spaces mountain and forest - as your playground, is the most  rewarding form of  this most  rewarding of all sports.

Every ski-er knows how important it is to be in good condition and in training when the winter season starts.

As a snow skiing instructions, the best way to achieve this is to carry out a number of systematic exercises.

It just isn’t any inn to discover, when you’re ski-ing in the mountains, that you’re not in first-class shape. You lose half the fun of ski-ing.

Before setting oil on your skis <an\ out a number of limbering up exercises, in order to give your body the right rhythm and flexibility.

If the waxing you have chosen doesn’t give enough slide, for beginner ski instruction, apply a little of the wax shown be­low adjacent to ii and in the direction in which the arrow  is  pointing.

If   the  waxing   you   have   chosen   tends to make you slip back,  apply a little of the wax   which   is shown   adjacent to it and in tin direction of the arrow.

For downhill and slalom the aim is to wax your skis so that your speed is maintained from start to finish. Melt the wax in a tin and apply to the skis with a brush.

For downhill running the wax should be applied unevenly to maintain the coefficient of friction between the skis and the snow, i.e. in dabs here and there, but each dab should be smoothed out.

In this way the skis will lend to overcome suction, and you will gel a better  glide.

Before applying wax. be careful to remove all old wax. either with steel wool or  with petrol.

Your skis should be lacquered several times with even layers. I he lacquer should be allowed to dry for each layer. After each coal has been applied, smooth  the surface down  with a rag.

Varnish of lacquer is an excellent base, but as a rule it won’t give you lop speed   unless   used   with   other   waxes for this reason we use  downhill wax. Paraffin wax will give the best speed, but it tends to wear off during a long descent. On very cold snow ii is ineffective, and should be replaced by graphic wax.

When you are ski-touring the better the glide you get on your skis, the more effortless your progress will be.  For this reason, when in doubt.  It’s a good tip to have your skis on the slippery side rather than on the tacky side.

As a skiing beginners tips inIn choosing the type of wax to use, snow conditions are all-important.  It’s always useful to get to know various types of wax.  You this right by putting more the same wax under your skis.

If your skis tend to slip back, you can as a rule put this right by putting more of the same wax under your skis.

A good under layer, such as impregnating with a tar compound, is very important. I his under layer makes the sliding surface of the ski waterproof and dry, and provides a basis for other kinds of waxing

How to choose your wax:

Types of wax * Snow conditions

TØRR NVSNØ……………….     Dry,   cold   new   snow.  Snow  Calling  with the temperature  well  below.

BLANDINGSFØRE …………..      For   temperatures   just   below    zero,    old   mow (‹‹ Mixed››)                which   has   been   affected   by    a   spell   of    mild weather.

SKAREVOKS   («Crust   wax>)    Granulated snow.
KLISTERVOKS   ……………..     Various   types   of   old   snow.    Damp   to   wet

Snow, but not saturated.

SKAREKLISTER  …………….     Hard crust.

VATSN0KLISTER  …………..     Wet  grainy   snow.

Frequently a turn has to be carried out very abruptly, and at slow speed. On such occasions the snow ski gear stick is of tremendous assi­stance. By taking some of your weight on the stick. on the side to which you are turning, at the moment the weight is transferred to the outer ski, you will find that the turn is much easier to execute. I lie stick should be advanced by bending the elbow-outward, and not downwards.

The skier’s problem in  this case is negotiating a  Flush. First of all he must find out from which side to tackle in combination of this kind. It all depends upon the position of the exit gate. Hut the important thing is to maintain good “height” for each gate. By anticipating the gate, and turning before he actually readies it. he will avoid losing height, and he will also obtain greater speed throughout his run.

1. The preliminary change of weight or “counter-stemming” for the first  turn  has  been completed. The left (outer) hip is thrust forward.

2. Weight on the outer ski. Knees well flexed and advanced.

3. The weight is shifted over to the right ski. and the right hip is thrust forward.

4. Completing the “Hush”, and lull speed ahead for the next gate. Split seconds count.

The important thing in this case is to turn round the second of the three posts without losing height or time.

1. Full speed from the preceding gate to the hairpin. The position of the leading stick marks the beginning of  the turn.  I he transfer of weight  for the turn starts.

2. The weight is swiftly shifted over to the outer ski. The body rounds the post with inches to spare. Knees are Hexed forward.

3.  The left hip is thrust forward, and at the same time the left knee is flexed inwards in order to edge the outer ski as the new line of direction is assumed.

4.   The turn has been completed, skis arc parallel, and the skier is speeding towards his next gate.

Slalom skiing is nothing more nor less than an exacting test of your turning technique. Slalom flags are set up on a slope of appro­priate gradient, arranged in “gates” in such a way that the ski-er’s mastery of turning technique is tested as thoroughly  as possible.

A correctly sited slalom course should have “How”  and  rhythm.

In order to ensure this the gates should not be placed too dose together, but in such a way that the test brings out all the points of technique necessary for ordinary ski-ing. The natural diffi­culties of the terrain should be exploited. The distance between the Hags of each gate should be at least ten loot, while the distance between gates should be at least two foot six inches.

A slalom course consists of .a variety of combinations, for which the following terms are used:

1. Open gate.

2. Closed gate

3. Flush ……….

4  Hairpin

5. Corridor

Gate B is open when skiing from A to 15. Gate B is closed, when skiing from A to B. A Flush consists of three or more closed gates with a gate of entry and a gate of exit. The hairpin consists of two closed gates, A and B, as well as a gate of entry C and a gate of exit D. A corridor consists of one more open gates.

The very name suggests the purpose of this turn. At great speed or, if you like, at accelerated tempo - you can turn to it’ll and to right as you ski downhill. This types of snow skiing turn which the expert ski runner delights in carrying out, leaving an “ex­haust” of powder snow to mark his trail.

The characteristic features of the tempo turn are its graceful rhythmical movements. At great speed it’s no use attempting abrupt powerful movements.

From a running position, well concentrated, with knees Hexed forward, a simultaneous raising and rotation of the body, at the moment when the turn is to he executed, will reduce the pressure on the skis, and enable them to turn more easily into their new line of descent.

In executing all speed turns this movement will prove of great assistance, as well as giving the right   rhythmical  movement.

1.  and 2. Relaxed  position. Preparing the turn.

3. The body is raised swiftly and at the same time rotated, with the outer (left) hip and shoulder thrust forward.

4. Knees once more together and Hexed forwards, with the weight evenly distributed on both skis. Arms extended  to assist  balance.

5. Still leaning forward. The outer ski may edged as required, in  order  to  prevent  side-slipping.

6. Conclusion of the turn. Throughout  the turn the skis have been parallel, with the weight evenly distributed on both skis.

At extreme snow skiing speed the weight should be placed still further forward. The body should react like a coiled spring. Hexing with every bump. Arms should be pointing forwards, elbows resting on  the knees, with the sticks pointing backwards.

When negotiating a dip or hollow it is no good “pressing down”, as most people still believe. I he result is hound to he that you will shoot into the air when you meet the bump at the other end of the depression.

In order to achieve a smooth consecutive movement you must follow the terrain, skimming over the bumps with your skis always in contact with the snow. When you reach a depression, press on your skis before you reach the change of gradient. When this is reached, raise your body slightly, to counteract the forceit you   press down too hard in dip of gravity. You reach the other side of the depression lower the body by bending your knees. You practise this technique you will find that when negotiating a depression your skis will be on the snow the whole time, and you will achieve a smooth flowing movement.

Begin by practising on gentle slopes, with a gradual change of gradient, and then you will be able to tackle steeper slopes. Ski mountains slope, at first standing upright, and then with a more and more forward Hexing of the knees. There are essentially three positions for downhill running: upright, medium position, and the crouch. The ankles, too, should be flexed, thus enabling the skier to place the weight well forward, and to achieve a more correct position. Terrain and snow conditions will decide what position is most suitable. The easier the going, and the better the chance of being able to foresee any obstacles, the deeper you can crouch down to increase your speed.

Provided the surface is hard the weight should be distributed evenly on both skis. When negotiating deep snow, one ski should be thrust a little in advance of the other, and die weight should correspondingly lit- transferred to the back (i.e., not die lead­ing) ski.

Slow comfortable speeds down . gentle slope. Upright position,  skis parallel, knees well Hexed, hands close to the body.

Vs your speed increases, assume a more crouched position. Toes, knees, and face should be in a line. The inner ski should as a  rule  be about one  foot  ahead  of   the other.

At great speed the top part of the body should be leaning forward, the weight should be on the front part of the skis; knees together and well Hexed.