SkiEnthusiast's Challenge ...

Katsumi Riding His Edges In Racing Form

Think it's possible to ski a black diamond (with good snow and no moguls) after only 5 days on the slopes or navigate a double black diamond (with good snow and mild bumps) after 20? Whether you believe it or not you can! Regardless if you are planning your first trip to the mountain or in a rut on green circles and blues, the tips in this article will take you to the next level in no time.

So far, four people have accepted this challenge and the results have blown me away! Two people have completed the first leg of the challenge in 2-3 days and plan to continue the challenge this year. Another person, who never saw snow in her life, skied green circles with ease by the end of the first day ... yes with parallel skis. A fourth person began tackling intermediates by the end of the first day (in March of last season) and wants to return for more this season psyched with her performance during the first time out. So is the second leg possible? Absolutely, but only for those willing to step beyond their fears. One skier who completed the challenge's first leg last season just recently completed the second leg this season. That's right ... she skied White Heat (with mild bumps) at Sunday River falling only once after only 10 days on the slopes. After that she blazed down Obsession (black diamond) in heavy snow with medium sized moguls. Just to prove this is not a gimmick, click on the video (coming soon) below to see this future extreme skier in action. Notice the parallel skis, steady upper body, arms and poles out in front and rolling of the skies through every turn. With continued practice I am confident she will be skiing double blacks with grace by the end of the season and so can you.

So what is the secret? Huge advances in ski equipment and proper technique gained through knowledgeable instructors. I skied for 14 years with only one beginner lesson and did not have a break-out year until I began taking advanced lessons three years ago. During the first 14 years, my skiing progressed but improper technique stopped me from mastering the advanced trails. My only instruction came through watching other skiers on the slopes and although I picked up some good habits, I grabbed bad ones as well. Yes, I could get down the mountain and look good but it was a lot of work and I didn't have the elegance of other expert skiers or instructors. Frustrated by deep powder and bumps at Alta one day, I turned to their ski school for help. Although I thought I was a good skier, I learned there were small flaws in my technique that were holding me back from owning the extreme terrain. Since then I have honed my skills in mogul camps at Killington each year and continue to review videos of my skiing and work with instructors to master the most challenging terrain.

Are you ready to do the same? Okay, here are some basic steps to get started and help you complete the first leg of the challenge (intermediate skiers skip to step 2):

1. Sign up for a 1 to 2-hour group lesson first thing in the morning. This lesson will teach you how to get on the lift, do wedge turns and snowplow to control your speed and stop. Wedge turns are done by simply pushing out with your heels (the ends of the skis move apart and the tips come closer together) and applying more pressure on your outside ski. Snowplows are done by putting equal pressure on both skis and pushing your heels out further. As your do this, work on your balance and stance. Your knees should be slightly bent, your shins touching the front of the boot and your chest over your toes with a slight bend at the waist. Keep in mind the number one problem skiers face whether a beginner or advanced is leaning back in your stance (i.e. always stay forward). After the lesson, work on getting on and off the lift, controlling your speed, stopping, and maintaining your balance.
2. After lunch or the next day, take a second 2-hour lesson (preferably private or no more than 3 people) to move from wedge turns and snowplows to parallel turns and stops. When teaching my students, I always bring them from wedge turns to parallel turns in one day because I don't want wedge turns to become a habit. So here’s how to make elegant parallel turns ...
   • Your skis should be 6-8 inches apart (this will vary some with different terrain).
     
   • Parallel turns are completed by rolling your ski from edge to the other edge using your legs and hips. To visualize this, roll your foot from your big toe to your little toe (or vice versa) with more pressure on the balls of your feet. When you roll your shaped ski, it will naturally carve the snow and make the turn as you slide down the mountain. Apply slightly more pressure on your outside ski (60% outside, 40% inside). Your inside knee should bend more and move slightly forward of your outside knee as you go through the turn. As you transition from one turn to the next, there will be a moment or two when your skis are perfectly flat with the snow.
   • If you want to make a shorter radius turn, actively steer with your lower body by pushing your heels out to one side while rolling your skis. To visualize this, sit in a chair with your feet off the ground and kick both of your heels to the right and then to your left simulating a windshield wiper.
   • You may notice that the inside ski is tougher to roll and push the heel out. This happens with everyone I know when they began. Later, I will provide some drills to strengthen this movement. For now, do several runs without your poles on easy terrain. When you feel your inside ski start to drag, give it a little help by pushing outward on your inner thigh with your hand.
   • Keep your poles out in front of you, arms slightly bent and your elbows 7-8 inches from your sides keeping your upper body steady as you move in and out of your turns. It is helpful to plant your inside pole and ski around it (don't let your poles drag behind you).
   • After you get comfortable with single turns begin to link your turns and play with their size.
   • It is important to keep your shins against the front of the boot, your chest over your toes and move your body down the mountain as you roll your skies.
   • To stop, tighten the radius of your turn (slightly more roll of the ski) putting more pressure on your edges and bringing your skis perpendicular to the downward slope of the hill by pushing out your heels in the same direction (as described above). This is a little tricky at first but will become easier after a few tries. However, it is essential to master this before you attempt challenging blues.
3. Now that you have learned the basics of turning, your next step is to perfect those skills by skiing varying terrain (greens, blues, more greens and then more blues) focusing on controlling your speed, staying forward, rolling your feet in and out of every turn and stopping for at least one full day. Once you are confident with controlling speed and stopping take a 1-2 hour group lesson, learn some practice drills (long and short turns, eyes up looking two to three turns ahead, ankle pivots, railroad tracks - see instruction page) and refine your skills by learning from the instructor as well as the other students who are using good technique.

With your new skills and confidence, scope out an easier black diamond (no moguls, good snow (no ice), ending in a blue) with an experienced friend or instructor and give it a whirl. Remember to stay forward, roll your skis in and out of turns, control your speed (go slow using short radius turns, stop often if needed) and have a blast.

Dive into the instruction page of this site and prep to conquer your first double black diamond. Remember only to attempt this with an instructor or very experienced friend by your side to help you through.

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