(Credit: me)
Several advanced or intermediate skiers are asking me for a lesson in order to leave a technical plateau that is often installed at this level. These skiers turn their skis in parallel and make their edging around the middle of the turn. They can ski intermediate and expert runs. However, in the latter, the back of their ski may tend to skid or they can take speed as the turns are linked.
(Credit: Ski race stock image)
If you recognize yourself in this portrait, here is what I propose. First, let's discuss four fundamental principles of alpine skiing:
The use of all the joints helps to maintain the balance and allows to manage the forces that operate on the skis and the skier;
The turn is directed by the lower body and the design of the ski;
Separation allows edge setting for more grip;
Coordinated motions direct the forces that operate on the skis and the skier's impulse from one turn to another.
The goal of any skier is to put the skis on the edges as soon as possible in the turn.
(Credit: Ski race stock image)
In this illustration, the skier who has reached a plateau puts his skis on the edge at the red line or at best, at the orange line. The goal is the ability to put the skis at the edge of the purple line or at best, the green line. The next picture is an expert skier who puts his skis on the edge between the purple line and the green line.
(Credit: Ski race stock image)
How to get there: To get there, here's the key: as soon as possible in a turn, unfold your outer leg so that it is longer than your inner leg. Like the pedal of a bike, where you have one leg extended (pedal down) and one leg short (pedal up), look for the same feeling of the long outer leg at the beginning of the turn, as in the following photos .
(Credit: Ski race stock image)
(Credit: Ski race stock image)
In both photos you notice that the skier has an outer leg that is longer than his inner leg. It is this sensation of moving from a long outer leg to a next long outer leg that you have to go looking for in order to get out of the plateau of the intermediate phase.
Good ski!