Breckenridge Ski Lesson Pictures And Some Food For Thought

Erik, Allison, Matthew – Ponte Verda Beach, FL. Nice day, warm, no wind down low, blues on Peak 7 & 8, first day on skis this vacation. Initiating with the downhill ski (new inside ski), some weight on both skis (always, except when jumping), 360 mini-hops, jump turns (keep at this Matthew, you will get better every day), pole window, pole plant (why do it – helps cross over the CM at initiation), position of strength, flexion of ankles and knees (not so much at the waist, but a little), speed control with sliding friction and turn shaping, hockey stops, hips more open down the mountain to align with the feet. Have a great vacation, this was a fun day … good luck with the curve ball Matthew, take care of your arm.

Kyle, Steven – Atlanta. First time skiers, magic carpet for the morning, working on gliding wedge, Poma in the afternoon, ride Rips Ride, gliding wedge with some turn shape. Speed control with turns and friction, the gliding wedge is just a crutch to get started. Maybe you will come back next year, what you learned today you will not forget. Have a great vacation!

Vicki – Norman, OK. You are an accomplished skier for only four days skiing a year! Worked on: hip more open to the turn, tipping at transition as opposed to outside ski rotation, more flexion in ankles and knees, arm position, use pole plant to initiate CM crossing over to inside of new turn, skis more as ‘one’ platform in powder and off piste, leg rotation (steering) after both skis arrive at new edges at transition. Nice meeting you, fun day, enjoy the rest of vacation!

Aneet, Swati, Sheil, Jaya, Brig – Fayetteville, AR. Two blacks, T-bar, Independence/Colorado/Rocky/Kensho chairs … about 4 inches new snow, not too cold, classic spring day. More even weight distribution, flexion of ankles and knees without breaking too much at waist, hip rotation, arm position to get weight forward, inside ski turns, hop turns, tipping the inside ski to release, leg steering (both skis together), narrower stance, both skis on uphill edges to skid and shape, less edgy or shapy (not sure that is a word), speed control with friction and turn shape (be sure and finish last 10% of turn – it controls 25% of speed), initiate turn with new downhill ski (right ski for right turns, left ski for left turns). Delightful day, good humor, good skiing, good changes … enjoy the week!

Vince, Janea, Lars, Joely – Coasset, MA. Levels 3-6, skiing family, love to see that. More pressure on inside ski, traverse on uphill ski, leg steering, initiate the turn with the downhill ski, rotate both feet (skis) together, tip the inside foot to flatten the inside ski and let it match to eliminate the wedge, pole window, hands of knees turns, position of strength, let hips face more down the mountain (outside the turn), arm position and pole touch, skidding and shaping is good, speed control via friction and turn shape. Fun day guys, thank you for letting me join your family for a few hours.

Daniel – San Antonio. Morning at 9:00AM a level 1, afternoon at 4:00PM a level 4. Skiing the Colorado lift (twice), maintain flexion in the ankles and knees, position of strength, how to slide and skid, leg steering, managing tipping for a flatter ski, completing the turn, speed control with friction and shaping, arm position … the left turn difficult but getting better. Amazing progress for day 1, well done Daniel!

Howard, Beth, Emily, Evan – Austin. Main focus getting out of the wedge, shift in mantra from wedge/edge to control speed to more steered/skidded/shaped … tipping to flatten the ‘hung up ski’, what is leg rotation, how to skid and shape, speed control from friction and shaping, some weight on inside ski, pressure on the shins in to the front of boot, how to stay in balance, hops, what to do with the arms, more compact stance, patience with the turn (let it develop, don’t rush). 50 degrees, what a day … ended with North Star and Dukes. Thanks for a delight day, hope you learned and will practice…as the years roll by the instruction and discipline will pay off.

Bruce, Avery, Kinley – Houston. Working on getting the wedge out, how to ‘unstick’ that stuck inside ski, tipping to a flatter ski, steering (leg rotation), steering to a shallow edge, wider turns, how to skid and slide, sliding and shaping the turn for finish and speed control, balance, more shin pressure with ankle and knee flexion. Good progress with more comfort in a shaping turn via a hard edge wedge.