E-book project. outline for skiing.
Introductions and disclaimer. Wow video here!
Hello. My name is Jeff Winship and I'm going to help you learn how to ski.
I've been very fortunate in my life. I have been teaching skiing professionally since 1987. I'm a fully certified ski instructor. My job at the last resort I worked was to train ski instructors. During this period I was listed by Ski Magazine as one of the best ski instructors in North America. I teach all levels and ages. These days I've taken my skills on the road so that I can share my adventures with others. In the past I've been a professional diver, a boat captain , a mountain guide, a fisherman, a wild land firefighter, a sailing instructor and more. I have a incredible amount of knowledge and I want to share it with as many people as I can.
Skiing Model- Text and Video- turn types -Skill movements
With the right movements and mental attitude on the right piste skiing is
easy. Change any one of these items and it becomes more difficult, but not
impossible.
Example1:" Movements " If you were to use a large wedge on a easy piste to slow
down or turn, you use more energy. It puts you in a defensive position where any
movement is difficult. This is not good for your confidence. If you use a small
wedge or parallel to turn for speed control it is much easier. This puts you in
a more offensive position which is important for movement and control. This
builds confidence. As your skills improve, what was hard becomes easy.
Example2: "Mental Attitude" It can be a challenge to show up the first day of
skiing with the perfect attitude. Fatigue, stress and fear can contribute to a
bad day. The first day you should take it easy. Go half speed. Give yourself
time to adjust to your new surroundings.
Example3: "The Right Piste" Start off on a easy piste. When you fill confident
then challenge yourself. Always check on the snow conditions. If its icy that
blue piste can become a black. If it feels good go for it!
The Four Skill Movements and Basic Turn Types.
Video
Use these picture and the video as a reference for the text below.
Balance Movements
When I think of balance, I think of everything being neutral. As far as the
human body is concern, in relation to skiing, it is when all your muscles are
relaxed and are not busy keeping you upright. (Ref. the tipping forward and
backward exercises) This is important so that you can move with more ease. A
balance athletic stance is when you bend all your joints a little. Ankles,
knees, hip, and spine.
When I think of balance movements, I think of balance in two planes. Side to
side and forward and back. This is an important concept because when we our
moving and turning we have to adjust our balance, not only to compensate for
outside forces working on us, but also to utilize the ski design to our
advantage.
In general we want to balance on the inside edge of the outside ski. (side to
side) At the beginning of a turn I'm on my toes, at the end I'm in the middle of
my foot. (forward and back)
Edging Movements
Edging is putting your skis on there side to create friction (wedge) or reduce
friction (carved parallel turn). This is why I teach small wedge skidded turns
for speed control to beginners. To put your skis on edge in a large wedge you
spread your legs. This puts both skis on edge and makes it difficult to turn. In
a smaller wedge its easier to put one ski on edge. The skidded turn not only
slows you down it makes it easier to learn parallel turns.
Edging movements is how you put your skis on edge. This is done with three
joints. The knee, hip and ankle. I use all three joints in different turns, but
one joint becomes dominant in different turn types. I use my knee for slow speed
turns and quick snappy turns. I use my hip for high speed turns. I use my ankle
for small adjustments. My favorite turn is when I can use all three equally.
(easier on the joints)
Rotary Movements
Good rotary movements is the rotation of the femur in the hip socket. This can
be done actively or passively. Passive rotary movements complements a carved
turn to keep the skier in a strong stance. Active rotation allows the skier to
steer the skis in a tighter turn radius therefore reducing their speed or
avoiding an obstacle. This also causes the skis to skid which also reduces your
speed. This is the big difference between what I teach and most European
instructors. The European classes that I have observed don't even acknowledge
the rotary movement. To explain why I'd have to go into the difference between
American and European ski cultures. I'll spare you with a general explanation.
In Europe the ultimate goal for skiers is to become a World cup racer. In
America the ultimate goal is to be able to ski any off piste slope in any snow
condition. Carving to me isn't the only way to ski, it's just a another tool to
use.
Pressure Movements
Pressure movements is the movements you make to manage outside forces and how
you maximize ski design for a desired result. All the movements above allow us
to manage pressure. To master pressure movements is to become an expert skier.
What I have taught you new skiers is very basic. To pressure the inside edge of
the outside ski. As you continue with me down this path you will discovery what
would take me three pages to write. (next month)
Four skills applied to different turn types and situations.
Mental Attitude
Mental attitude is anything, good or bad, that effects your concentration. This
is a broad subject so for now I'll just touch on some highlights.
Fear
Fear can be a positive emotion and can help us focus and act instinctively in
dangerous situations. Also it can be a very strong unpleasant paralyzing
experience. I don't know many skiers who haven't experienced this. That is the
challenge as a ski instructor, to know when skiers are mentally ready for new
challenges. If the step up in steepness is to great then you're asking for
trouble. I am really excided about the upcoming year because I'll have more
slope selections with the "Discover Zillertal" packages I'm offering. (see SKI
ADVENTURES)
Diet
Did you know that a balance diet of 40% carbs. 30% protein and 30% fat is the
perfect diet to increase concentration and performance. This doesn't include
beer and schnitzel. Alcohol and skiing really don't mix. One beer, for me,
throws my reaction time and balance off. And there is nothing worse than trying
to ski with a hangover. That's not to say that you shouldn't buy your favorite
ski instructor the after ski beer.. After all it is your holiday.
The Right Piste
The right piste for learning is one that doesn't put you in a defensive mode.
This could be caused by many reasons. Usually the steepness can intimidate you
and causes you to lean back a little. If this happens work on getting on your
toes at the beginning of your turn. Another common reaction is to try and rush
your turn by rotating your upper body. Try to focus on a round turn shape. If
this still doesn't work step back to an easier piste and practice the perfect
turns that I have taught you. After you have it back together, return and try
again.
More to come later.
The mountain environment - text and video -Tactics and Strategies