Learning to move your skis. Ira Riklis will tell you this: your skis are clamped to your boots which are on your feet. That means if you turn your foot to the right then your ski will also turn to the right.
Here is a simple exercise to get started getting used to this feeling:
- Pick up one foot at time, with your skis on. Turn them to the right and then the left so you get familiar with the feeling and which muscles you use. Just like in many sports, the way you point your skis determines the direction you want to go. This starts how you turn your feet.
Next is the way you stand with skis on. If you put both feet together with your skis pointing down the mountain you’ll be heading that way…FAST. A snowplow distributes your weight and helps you control your speed or even stop. Eventually you’ll move both skis to a right or left angle to stop but for now practice this move.
- The Snowplow: First you need to create a stable base. That means placing your feet shoulder width apart. Next, point your toes pointing inwards with your heels apart, so your skis make a triangle/V-shape. Bend your ankles, knees and waist slightly. Keep your arms out wide distribute your weight evenly on the balls of your feet and your heels. Make wide turns back and forth across the mountain to get used to the feel. So instead of going DOWN you’ll go ACROSS the mountain so you have more control.
Going sideways rather than straight down is important when you’re a beginner.