It’s Like Riding a Bike

As discussed in my last post, good skiing requires you to trust your outside ski. Throughout each turn, as the inside leg shortens, the ski attached to it should feel lighter on the snow. At the same time, the outside leg that remains long and strong will feel heavier on the snow.

This is a similar sensation to when you’re pedaling a bike. That said, ski with leg movement that replicates the action of slow pedaling with lots of resistance, always changing leg length as you move into, though, and out of each turn.

When done correctly, you will be able to get to that new outside ski faster, which will help you develop a higher level of ski performance earlier in each turn.

You’ve read it, now give it a rip!

Read the rest of the series:
Week 1 – Come prepared
Week 2 – Tune ups
Week 3 –  Early season conditions
Week 4 –  Skills not hills
Week 5 – Use the whole ski
Week 6 – Always be moving
Week 7 – Find your rhythm
Week 8 – Trust your outside ski

Derek Althof has 16 years experience in the ski industry and is Deer Valley’s ski school training manager and an alpine examiner and clinic leader for the Professional Ski Instructors of America’s Central and Intermountain Divisions. Derek learned to ski at age 4 and has had a passion for good skiing ever since.

We hope you enjoy our weekly skiing tips. Please remember that they can help but will not eliminate risks, as skiing is a dynamic sport. These tips are meant to help you build skills  for a more enjoyable skiing experience.