SKI SCHOOL: Ridge tests your technique

By Craig McNeil, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 18, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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Start balanced

The moment of truth

The highness of lowness

The moment of truth

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Loveland is one of my favorite ski areas because it offers a variety of terrain, much of it above timberline.

Because of the elevation and exposure, one can encounter a variety of conditions from deep powder to wind-blown slab that will challenge even the most seasoned skier. (That's why I always say it's one of the best places to prep if you're ever planning a trip to Canada.)

And one of the best challenges to be found at Loveland is an area called The Ridge. It's high on the Continental Divide and offers a wide expanse of terrain suited for strong intermediate to expert skiers.

The steep pitches found on The Ridge are what make Loveland so exciting to me. On the steeper pitches you will come to recognize the limitations of your skiing technique.

For many, the moment of truth comes when you direct the skis into a new turn. This also is a moment of fearful anticipation. You'll feel the anxiety when the skis approach the fall line and point downhill.

To be successful on the steep, you must realize skiing is a game of balance - especially here, at the most critical part of the turn. Ideally, when you stand on the skis your weight and balance will be distributed over the ball and arch of the foot. The difference between being forward or back on your heels is only about an inch. So, the more precise your balance in your stance, the easier it is to make your turn.

When the skis approach the fall line, it's important to maintain that balanced stance because your tendency will be to pause as you enter the turn. This hesitation can happen for a few reasons: standing tall at the beginning of the turn, a lapse in concentration, not knowing what to do or simply a fear of pointing the skis down the fall line.

Because gravity on the steep is pulling you downhill with great force, this reluctance is enough to throw even the most seasoned skier off balance. If you hesitate even briefly at this moment, your weight and balance will shift to your heels.

1. Start balanced

* As you approach a turn on the steep, it's important that you begin from a balanced stance. This means your knees and ankles are flexed and your balance is over the balls of your feet.

* Keeping your body low enables you to be in a flexed position at the most critical part of the turn. This position also gives you a balanced stance over the ball and arch of the foot. Opening your arms will enhance your balance and set you up for making the turn.

* To begin the new turn, relax your quadriceps and allow your body to move across your feet into the new turn. Your pole plant is the signal to release the skis from their grip on the snow and commit to the turn.

2. The moment of truth

* On a steeper run, the moment of truth comes when you release the ski edges and begin the turn. Rather than allowing your body to rise, keep your hips and body low. Maintain your flex from a balanced position, because this is where you need to be engaged mentally and physically.

* If you pause or hesitate at this point, your weight will shift back to your heels (second photo), putting you out of balance at the most critical part of the turn. The difference between being in balance on the ball or arch of your foot or being back on your heels is slight, perhaps only about an inch or so.

* In the second photo, the skier's weight has shifted to his heels. So even though everything looked good when he started the turn, he had hesitated slightly. He lost the commitment to follow through in the turn and, thus, his weight and balance put him in the "back seat."

3. The highness of lowness

* Now, gravity has taken over and, once the skier's weight shifted to his heels, he's toast. The slight pause or hesitation at the beginning was enough to allow him to gain speed too rapidly while the skis are pointed straight down the hill.

* Once you are out of balance like this on a steep run, it's difficult to regain it while you're moving. All you can do at this point is hang on and try to crank the turn into the hill until you slow down or stop, at which point you can find your balance again.

* The secret to maintaining balance (second photo) is to maintain your flexed position when you release the skis at the beginning of the turn. Allow your body to cross the feet from the uphill to the downhill, or inside, of the turn as you extend your legs to maintain ski-to-snow contact.

Craig McNeil is a certified Primary Movements instructor. To order his book, How to Ski the Blues and Blacks without Getting Black and Blue, or to contact him, go to his Web site, HowTo Ski.net. Photos taken at Loveland Mountain Resort by Craig McNeil.

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