This exercise starts off in a
wedge position.
- Steeper terrain will make it easier.
First, imagine a corridor that goes down the flow line.
Pick a focal point down the hill in the center of this corridor. In this
exercise, stay within this corridor and keep your upper body and eyes on the
focal point down the hill.
Start by making short wedge turns--keep the wedge fairly
wide. Gradually and progressively start emphasizing the weight/pressure shift
from outside ski to outside ski.
- Make sure you keep the outside ski on edge and stay in
a wide wedge.
As you become more aggressive, it will feel as if the
pressured ski crosses under the body. After "crossing under," let the
skis "get away from you" and the moment your upper body starts to sway
away from the focal point, switch pressure to the other ski.
Stand on the new edge and let the skis cross under the
body to the other side.
- Just like pedaling a bicycle, one foot lightens and
pulls up as the other presses down.
Build a faster rhythm as you switch from ski to ski, just
as you would pedal a bicycle, keeping your upper body focused down the hill.
- As the ski passes under you, let the outside leg flex.
Once you've built up a nice fast rhythm, gradually start
to steer the 'light" foot and leg more and more, to mirror the action of
the pressured and edged ski--the inside ski gradually gets into the parallel
position.
- Keep the rhythm going with your upper body focused down
the hill.
Eventually add the pole swing to aid in the flow from turn
to turn.
- Do this exercise with vigor and you'll gracefully
"sneak" into short radius turns. It may feel awkward, but it
really is worth practicing.
- Practice it throughout the season.