JON (AKA WESTY) AT ALTITUDE VERBIER
Jon is one of a handful of instructors working in the Alps to hold the top qualifications from France, Switzerland and Britain. In his role as Ski School Director, Jon is on hand to manage the different parts of the Altitude company portfolio, including the ski and snowboard school, the Futures instructor training programmes, and Freeride Verbier a new school dedicated to off-piste coaching in Verbier (+41 277 716 006; [email protected]).
When having a ski lesson sometimes you might wonder why you are being asked to do various silly things like standing on one ski, lift this, hold that there … tricky movements! The answer is that they can help to build strong links between your brain and your muscles, making you more adaptable, and quicker to learn and change … also they can be fun and rewarding! Below are some fun, simple, yet effective drills you can try on snow. Have fun!
> No Skis
At the start of the day, before skiing, it’s a good idea to warm up. Try making short turns, jump turns, or hop turns whilst off your skis. Next try doing the same on a gentle slope (still off skis), boot skiing can be fun, quite easy to master, and great for a warm-up. It’s also great to keep the kids entertained whilst someone is taking a toilet stop!
Tip: It’s all about being centred on your boots, too far back or forward will result in a wipeout!
> Outside Ski
The outside ski is king, and this exercise will help in making sure you are in control of your balance over this ski.
Try lifting your inside ski at various points throughout the turn, before, during, and after the fall line – directly down the slope.
Tip: Try lifting up your inside ski just after the fall line – if you are balanced over your downhill ski then this should be quite easy. If you struggle it’s likely to be because you have too much weight on the inside ski.
Inside Ski
Try lifting your outside ski at various points throughout the turn, before, during, and after the fall line. Practising this helps to develop lateral movements, which is an essential movement used when carving your skis.
Tip: Start lifting it after the fall line, and as you build more confidence try to lift it earlier in the turn.
One Ski
Find a gentle slope and practice skiing on one ski by holding the other ski up in the air for 100% of the turn. Now try linking the turn and increasing the speed. This drill will help you to improve your balance, and your ability to move laterally from side to side. To make the task more difficult try taking one ski off! (Recommended for strong intermediate skiers only.)
Tip: On a flat slope try making shallow turns to start with and not turning to far across the hill.
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