Skiing - with the right technique
The first ski holiday is on - and with it the task of learning how to ski. For this mission to succeed, you need these ingredients: a good deal of courage, the right carving skis and sticks and the right skiing technique. The latter is best learned in a ski course.
"In the past, beginners needed at least a week of ski lessons to get started, but today, two or three days are often enough," says Max Holzmann of the German Ski Instructors Association. Before, that was when the skiers were still traveling with long, narrow and unshaped boards. End of the nineties, the significantly shorter, wider and waisted carving skis have prevailed and now the even wider and front and rear even more curved rocker skis.
Carving and rocker skis are easier to ride as they turn easier in the turns. However, this often leads beginners to overestimate their skills. "Many drive too fast without being able to brake and dodge safely," says Max Holzmann about the driving technique of some skiers. Measurements have shown that the pace on the slopes has increased significantly in the past ten to fifteen years. All the more important is the right technique when skiing.
The most common mistakes and the right technique when skiing
Here's the trouble: The edges are not used or not enough.
This is how it works: The carving technology has a catch: The modern carving skis are so revving, that a slight upper body rotation is often sufficient to drive a curve. But that does not make sense: A good skier can bend when cornering. To do this, tilt the jump, knee and hip joint inwards to the middle of the curve. By using the ski edges you control the skis actively and keep pace and direction under control. A driving technique that is particularly important on ice, less in deep snow, important.
There's a problem: Upper body and / or arms rotate in the curve.
This is how it works: Who gets the power to turn from the upper body or from the arms, burdened the hips and spine unnecessary. The goal is to keep the upper body calm, straight and stable downhill. As if you were carrying a tray from which nothing should fall off. Only the legs move (foot and knee joint) while skiing, the arms are used only for the use of the poles. Your ride is more economical and stable. In general, the joints closest to the carving ski work most effectively. If skiers observe this principle of riding technique, they will maximize their use with minimal effort - and will still have energy for a stop at the snow bar in the evening.
There's no point in it: the outside ski slips away in the corner exit.
This is how it works: The outdoor ski tends to slip outward, especially on hard and icy slopes. This helps: instead of straining both legs while skiing, straining the outside ski more heavily when cornering and actively kinking inside. Then you have everything under control again.
There's a catch: you have a reserve after the turn.
This is how it works: Anyone who finds himself in the reserve after a turn has a problem: he loses control of the carving skis. That helps: When cornering, it goes down the slope in the fall line. To compensate for this, the skier must actively move the body forward. Goal: always stay in the middle of the ski. As long as you feel the pressure of the shoe on the shin, the ski technique is right.
There's a problem: The leg distance is not right.
This is how it works: The legs should be open at most hip width. The leg position is optimal when a hand fits between the two skis. Skiers initially tend to open their legs too far. On the other hand, those who have learned to ski after the old technique often keep their legs too close together ("wagging"). Both positions prevent optimal weight distribution and complicate the edges. A new ski course in the next ski holiday could show you what the optimal driving technique looks like.
There's a problem: Wrong leg strain in deep snow.
This is how it works: With the right material (wider all-mountain or freeride skis), deep-snow driving is really easy. The wider skis are pushed up by the snow, they "swim up", which makes it easier to turn. Nevertheless, there is a special feature of skiing in deep snow: the legs are loaded as evenly as possible in the curve. The center of gravity is a little further back. But beware: the emphasis is on something. The center of gravity remains almost in the middle. If he shifts too far back, the skis sink too much at the back. Turning and turning becomes heavier and more strenuous.
That's the trouble: too little leg movement in the moguls.
This is how it works: In the moguls you have to rethink when cornering. On the normal track we stretch our legs to change the corner.In the moguls, on the other hand, we bend our legs and turn at the same time, when we drive on a hump. This tightening of the legs must be done clearly to balance the hump. Especially when the humps on a busy track during the day are always higher and thus difficult to drive.
Here's a snag: The ski equipment is out of kilter.
This is how it works: The trend is for rental equipment and that usually drives you well. According to skier Max Holzmann, own material means: "At the latest after one week of skiing, you should have the pavement and edges re-groomed." The binding should also always be adjusted to the current body weight. In the sports shop or in the ski course, the skier can check his equipment.
Here's the trouble: Untrained on the slopes.
This is how it works: For skiing you need strength, endurance and agility. Ideal for preparation are Nordic walking or jogging, combined with ski gymnastics. The better you start your ski holiday, the more relaxed you will be on the slopes. And do not be afraid of time-consuming training: Only ten minutes of ski exercises a day bring a lot. If it still did not work out with the training: Let it take a slow start on a ski holiday, start with simple runs and plan several breaks during the day.
That's the trouble: sleep in and start the day leisurely.
This is how it works: You are welcome to be the first in après-ski - as long as you are the first on the lift. After the start of operation, the pistes are perfectly prepared. There are no ice sheets. You should use these perfect conditions.
Book tip to read on
Here you will find the most important tips on the right technique for skiing for four skill levels, from beginner to expert: "Skiing easy. The DSLV syllabus." BLV-Verlag, about 25 euros.
