• Choose your terrain carefully. Pick a quiet area and make sure that the slope is very short, very gentle and has a natural run out at the end.

From a Bullfighter turn, begin gliding straight down the flow line in a comfortable stance, skis pointed straight ahead.

As you start your glide, begin directing your skis into a wedge by pointing your tips together and tails apart. Gradually increase the size of the wedge by lowering your body and turning your toes further inward and the tails further apart.

Try to keep your navel between your feet, keeping your skis relatively flat on the snow.

• Notice that the wider your wedge, the slower you go.

Practice going from straight run to wedge; adjusting the wedge from narrow to wide and back again.

Once you have this mastered and can stop at will, a beginner lift should be appropriate.

If you have difficulty keeping the tips together:

• Make sure your weight is evenly distributed along the soles of your feet.
• Your shins should be lightly touching the tongues of your boots, but don't lean against it.

If your tips keep crossing:

• Try widening the distance between your feet.
• Keep equal weight on both feet.
• Check to make sure the skis are relatively flat on the snow.