Have a question for our instructors out there.
Was just watching an REI video featuring PSIA Alpine Team member Robin Barnes giving a first-timer video lesson. I think these Youtube videos are a terrific way to help newcomers get ready for their very first time on the ski slopes and I thought Robin did an excellent job.
I was interested to see one major difference between how Robin taught wedge turns and the way I did it when I was teaching full time in Park City 1976-1984.
Robin introduced the wedge turn by emphasizing the steering of the skis and, almost as an aside, "...to allow a little more weight to go to one ski...". Couple things make this a real head-scratcher for me.
First, modern skis turn so well when put on even a slight edge (such as a small wedge) that it seems silly not to bring this up to the student. I understand where the instructor might not want to create unwanted upper-body movements, but I was surprised by the focus on steering.
Secondly, to me, a good wedge turn is a perfect parallel turn but with what I might call an "in-rigger" that becomes less necessary as speed increases and balance improves. Why not start the student thinking of balancing on the outside ski from the very first day since that will likely end up being the focus of future lessons as the student improves.
Thanks!
MM
Was just watching an REI video featuring PSIA Alpine Team member Robin Barnes giving a first-timer video lesson. I think these Youtube videos are a terrific way to help newcomers get ready for their very first time on the ski slopes and I thought Robin did an excellent job.
I was interested to see one major difference between how Robin taught wedge turns and the way I did it when I was teaching full time in Park City 1976-1984.
Robin introduced the wedge turn by emphasizing the steering of the skis and, almost as an aside, "...to allow a little more weight to go to one ski...". Couple things make this a real head-scratcher for me.
First, modern skis turn so well when put on even a slight edge (such as a small wedge) that it seems silly not to bring this up to the student. I understand where the instructor might not want to create unwanted upper-body movements, but I was surprised by the focus on steering.
Secondly, to me, a good wedge turn is a perfect parallel turn but with what I might call an "in-rigger" that becomes less necessary as speed increases and balance improves. Why not start the student thinking of balancing on the outside ski from the very first day since that will likely end up being the focus of future lessons as the student improves.
Thanks!
MM