Transitioning kids from wedge to parallel

[James]

skiing backwards is Fun and also helps with feeling your feet/ankles,flexing. why falling leaf is good one.
have FUN

Backwards in a V is a good way to get people to flatten a ski because it can feel safer on very mild terrain. Once they get over the omg! phase. Just go backwards, flatten one ski, see the effect.

Problem is you never know what’s going on in the boot. It maybe a huge space in there. Or they clench their toes- which makes flexing the ankle hard too.

Another thing not mentioned is, don’t let them stand in a wedge facing downhill when just stopped on slope. Just reinforces bad habits, muscle memory, and wedge feeling safer. Stand across parallel.

 

[ADKmel]

Backwards in a V is a good way to get people to flatten a ski because it can feel safer on very mild terrain. Once they get over the omg! phase. Just go backwards, flatten one ski, see the effect.

Problem is you never know what’s going on in the boot. It maybe a huge space in there. Or they clench their toes- which makes flexing the ankle hard too.

Another thing not mentioned is, don’t let them stand in a wedge facing downhill when just stopped on slope. Just reinforces bad habits, muscle memory, and wedge feeling safer. Stand across parallel.

clenched toes-- can't tell you how many times I stop a lesson and ask- are your toes curled? Stop, regroup, start over. Totally agree on not standing in the wedge- skiing IMO is muscle memory..