Breckenridge Ski Lesson Pictures And Some Food For Thought

Peter (Dallas), Noe (Dallas). Side slips on black bumps (that was a challenge), pivot slips (you are getting better Noe), initiate turn with new inside ski, edge change (doesn’t have to be a high edge angle) then steer, groomed black holding a tight line close to trees, no lazy arms (get ready for the pole plant), CM must cross over at transition (getting on the new edges simultaneously just won’t happen without that), let the hips align with the feet (position of power).

John (Miami), Noe (Dallas), Leo (Seattle). Pivot turns and easy bumps. Lead the pivot with the new inside ski, more weight on both skis for pivot turns, forward pressure on skis helps, keep the speed low (like zero to start practicing pivots), hips facing outside the turn (this is not always downhill), lifting the inside ski drill (total commitment to outside ski), more bump travers for balance practice, using the pivot in bumps, wind up the spring (essential for getting that last 10% of turn completion), Mosley video for bump skiing, quick and decisive transfer of weight to the inside edge of the new outside ski, the brain and the brawn.

John (Miami), Noe (Dallas), Nicolas (Pittsburg). Kind of a blue/black/bump day … those all tie together. Trying to kick the quick wedge to the outside ski J turn, classic case of popping up, rotation before edge transition. Where is the balance point on our feet/skis, semi circular turns, flex/extend while traversing bumps, letting the tips drop into the trough, maintain ski pressure down the bump back side, keep the head from bobbing up and down, pivot turns, pivot slips, check speed in bumps before initiating the next turn, more ‘pivoty’ and less edgy, flatter skis, use friction to our advantage, compete the turn to our advantage, hands on knees, poles on wrists, standing too tall makes it difficult to control lateral balance of CM, how does tipping and leg steering compliment, hip rotation to align with our feet, don’t turn on every bump – choose the best bump for success. Don’t rush things … anything – big movements mean balance compromise.

Tania (Miami), Roch (Conifer). Slow the transition, semi-circle turns, uphill arcs, where is ‘the balance’, sweet spot on bottom of foot, shin pressure, arms up and wide, how to slide, how to slide and shape, how to control speed with shape and friction (don’t underestimate the value of this), sliding through the icy spots (lots of those right now), leg steering, rotate (pivot, steer, whatever you want to call it) both feet together, rhythm, more action in ankles and knees, CM cross over, tip before steer (why does this show up every night), us less of slope (tighter line).

Mandy (D.C.), Rebecca (Fargo). How to rid the wedge, the one leg steer to a high edge angle then brace on the downhill ski edge is a good friend of orthopedists because enough of those and the knees need replacing. Tip the inside ski to flatten and match when it’s stuck in a wedge, how to balance on the feet, shin pressure, hips over feet, knees over toes, slow down the upper body (all that motion is pretty much of no value), learning to slide/skid/shape, use more of the bottom of ski, friction is a friend, high edge angle is not a friend, athletic stance, don’t be lazy with the arms and letting the upper body twist, uphill arcs, trusting the slide, little less pressure on the uphill ski (it’s not a trenching tool), relax, let the turns be a dance, rhythm. No picture, no phone.

Cynthia, Derrick, Elizabeth (Bussy), Donna (Florida). L4 working on L5, rounder turns, less edge, more slide, friction and turn finish are your friends, arms up and wide, stable upper body, flatter ski, don’t rush the initiation, leg steering underneath a stable pelvis. No picture today – forgot camera.

Falon (Durham), Debbie (Denver), Markus (Los Angeles). Separations of upper and lower body, how tipping and rotation coordinate, less edge ski allows more friction in the turn and easier shaping, uphill arcs, slowing the upper body rotation, arms more athletic position, skis off drill for leg rotation, using less of the slope for turning, how will a more shaped skidded turn work in the bumps (but didn’t go in the bumps, hmmm, thought about it), hip rotation to outside of turn for strong skier position, letting the skis and CM (center of mass) separate, going slow around the turn but faster down the mountain (not so much back and forth, good for sight seeing but that’s about it).

Zhi (aka Kevin – New Orleans), David (Thornton). Intro to bumps ended up with wedge turns in late afternoon (it’s all connected): bumps traverse, balance with flexion and extension, maintain ski/snow contact, maintain grip (lose this and the game is lost), tip at initiation before rotation, leg steering with stable hip, let tips drop onto backside (or trough) of bump while extending and pressuring the skis, complete the turn for speed control, slipping good for line adjustment, no need to turn on every bump, a rounder line ok, pivot turns with a flatter ski and strong leg steering (the ultimate short radius turn), don’t get caught with lazy arms, show the tattoo with inside leg steering and tipping.