(Credit: me)
Here are the notes I took during my Level 4 course with the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance. This traineeship provides access to the highest level of alpine skiing certification in Canada, Level 4.
This is an internship in ski and conference room of 4 days. It is is also followed by a 4-day certification exam.
This internship provides ski and expert level training, along with individual development strategies.
(Credit: me)
Day 1:
AM
Basic principle of the CSIA worked:
The use of all joints helps maintain balance and helps manage the forces that operate on the ski and on the skier.
The turn is directed by the lower body and the design of the ski.
Objective: to redirect the skis with the legs.
Task: Redirect the turn with the leg instead of skiing on the edges.
At the beginning of the turn, work on the principle that the balance is generated by the action of directing the legs in the turn instead of just putting the skis on the edges. The desired action is to give a direction to the ski by allowing them to slide on the edges. This direction should feel in the legs instead of turning feet (which would be more in intermediate skiers).
Exercise idea: imagine flashlights glued to the thighs and direct the beam of light in the direction of the next turn.
The transition zone between two turns is not a latency zone. On the contrary, we must be proactive in order to redirect the skis by the legs towards the next turn.
PM
Basic principle of the CSIA worked:
The separation between the top and bottom of the body allows the angulation that creates the adhesion.
Objective: do not start the turn with an upper body movement.
Task: Separate the upper and lower body in all terrain and high mountain conditions.
Exercise: complete the turn by sitting on the snow (first hip) to demonstrate the separation between the upper and lower body.
Exercise: Stop hockey to demonstrate the direction of the turn from the lower body and the separation between the top and bottom of the body.
Ski in the bumps. Exercise to ski wide in the bumps. This redirect the skis and involve the spatula in the bumps.
Day 2:
AM
Basic principle of the CSIA worked:
- The use of all joints helps maintain balance and helps manage the forces that operate on the ski and on the skier.
- The turn is directed by the lower body and the design of the ski.
Objective: to allow a good glide of the ski throughout the turn
Task: make round turns without tearing the snow with the edges. Work of the support on the outside ski. At the beginning of the turn, we do not push on the outside ski, we take the pressure off the inside ski.
The goal is to be in suspension instead of being in compression. Being in suspension allows all joints to maintain balance and helps manage the forces that operate on the ski and on the skier.
Ski very slowly, very rounded turns. Drag the skis on the snow without tearing the snow and without skidding of course.
Increase the slope to test the glide on the edges of the skis, if successful skill on gentle slope.
Increase the speed (rounds but larger) to test the glide on the edges of the skis.
PM
Basic principle of the CSIA worked:
- The separation between the top and bottom of the body allows the angulation that creates the adhesion.
Objective: relax the upper body to allow angulation
Task: Make round turns on expert terrain by creating an impetus towards the next turn.
Exercise the doll to make the upper body soft and let it fall at the end of the turn. This naturally allows an angulation that increases the angles between the snow and the ski.
Do it at low speed on intermediate ground. Then vary at the radius, slope or speed.
Day 3:
AM
Basic principle of the CSIA worked:
- Coordinated motions direct the forces that operate on the skis and the skier's impulse from one turn to another.
Purpose: creates momentum from one turn to another by sliding on the edges.
Turn in a corridor of brushes 12 meters. Turn on the brushes or a little outside. The goal is to make round intermediate and parallel parallel turns and create an impulse from one turn to another. Control of speed and radius along the corridor.
Task: Pulse to the next turn, bounce from one turn to another. Ski on a width of 2 meters rhythmically. Synchronized skiing in dyads.
PM
Education:
Review of the CSIA's Teaching Principles: Task, Reflection, Understanding and Variation
Basic principle of the CSIA worked:
- The use of all joints helps maintain balance and helps manage the forces that operate on the ski and on the skier.
Task: Ski in the bumps keeping the skis in contact with the snow at all times.
Practice flexing the joints over the hump.
(Credit: Pixabay)
Day 4:
AM / PM
Basic principles of the CSIA worked:
- The use of all joints helps maintain balance and helps manage the forces that operate on the ski and on the skier.
- The turn is directed by the lower body and the design of the ski.
- The separation between the top and bottom of the body allows the angulation that creates the adhesion.
- Coordinated motions direct the forces that operate on the skis and the skier's impulse from one turn to another.
Revised descents noted. Downhill evaluation and video.
Intermediate parallel turn;
Hockey-stop and steering;
Free descent in the bumps;
Rounded curves varied terrain;
Short turns radius expert field;
Expert parallel turns;
Next goal, exams!
(Credit: AMSC)
Good ski!