Steeps skill building: Staircase sideslip

Goal: Mastering the steeps
Level: Expert
Suggested terrain: On the steeps.
Author: Suzy Chase-Motzkin
Summary: The angle of the slope largely dictates the edge angle of your skis. The important thing is the position of your body relative to the skis. This drill will help your awareness of control through body position and edge bite.

Photos and Videos coming soon!

IMPORTANT! Understanding our approach and philosophy is important if you'd like to successfully use the drills in Ski Smarts
 ... read more.

With skis pointed across the flow line, twist your upper body so that it is facing directly down the hill, with your butt pointing into the hill.

Flex all body joints comfortably.

Reach both hands down the hill, as if you have them on hand railings on either side of a narrow staircase. Tips of the poles should be firmly in the snow behind the uphill ski.

Feel the majority of your weight on the downhill ski. This is the user-friendly ready-for-anything control stance. Become aware of how the muscles in the body feel in this position.

Maintain this stance and without rising, gently roll your ankles (and knees if necessary) downhill. This will flatten the skis and they will begin to slip sideways. Slip for a moment, and then roll the ankles into the hill so that they bite into the snow again.

Tips:

  • Initiate the slip with your ankles and knees and not your hips--the hips always stay in a position of strength facing into e hill.
  • • Practice by slipping and biting alternately and in both directions.

Print this out for future reference and remember to have fun!