| Power
wedge turns Goal: Short radius parallel turns Level: Intermediate Suggested terrain: Author: Suzy Chase-Motzkin Summary: An easy way to sneak up on short turns. Try this and advance rapidly. If you're unfamiliar with the wedge position, refer to the Beginner section. Photos and Videos coming soon! |
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First, imagine a corridor that goes down the flow line. Pick a focal point down the hill in the center of this corridor. In this exercise, stay within this corridor and keep your upper body and eyes on the focal point down the hill. Start by making short wedge turns--keep the wedge fairly wide. Gradually and progressively start emphasizing the weight/pressure shift from outside ski to outside ski.
As you become more aggressive, it will feel as if the pressured ski crosses under the body. After "crossing under," let the skis "get away from you" and the moment your upper body starts to sway away from the focal point, switch pressure to the other ski. Stand on the new edge and let the skis cross under the body to the other side.
Build a faster rhythm as you switch from ski to ski, just as you would pedal a bicycle, keeping your upper body focused down the hill.
Once you've built up a nice fast rhythm, gradually start to steer the 'light" foot and leg more and more, to mirror the action of the pressured and edged ski--the inside ski gradually gets into the parallel position.
Eventually add the pole swing to aid in the flow from turn to turn.
Print this out for future
reference and remember to have fun! |