For those of you that missed the last class, lets do a quick review.
We started with learning how to wax our skis. Reminder to put 3 or 4 thin layers and cork it out well between each layer. There should normally be no bumps or waves of wax, and you can see this by holding the skis up to the light of the sun, moon, or indoor light.
Most people last night used Swix V50 otherwise known as blue extra.
We did a few quick quick ski exercises of doing pizza/pie ie tips together/apart. This kept everyone moving while the stranglers joined the class.
Once out in the open flat area, we started class with just your right ski on, scootering along on the snow for just a few minutes, and then switched to the left ski.
Next came a step, push, and gliiide on just your right ski. Body position had just a very slight lean forward all the time, with the left foot swinging up near the tip and push. While pushing with the left foot that had no ski on the right ski was momentarily lifted off the ground. You push and gliiide. Hold the trailing leg that has no ski on it, in a natural bent straight leg behind you while you are gliiiding. The trailing leg then swings down, plants and then pushes off again. This was done for several minutes. Switch ski again and try it again for several minutes with the left leg.
The next exercise began with right ski and right pole on. The pole is used to extend your gliiiide even further. Keep the forward lean and do not dab with your left foot to keep your balance, but hold the naturally straight trailing leg behind you when gliding.Then switch to left ski and left pole. Practice for several minutes on each side.
Normally about 80% of the time, skier's balance is better on the right side.
We also repeated the mantra, Poles are for Push, not for balance!!
Next exercise started with both skis on. We imagined that the left ski was the push ski, and the right ski was the glide ski. It kind of looked like a person with a limp, known as gluump! Switch to the right ski as the pushing ski and the left ski as the gliding. Practice each side for several minutes.
Next exercise consisted of skiing without poles. Each ski swings down near the tip or at least in front of the weighted ski. You should both hear and feel the wax grab under your foot.
This where those who are ski shufflers, and those with poor wax reveal their weaknesses.
There was one more exercise that was tried, and that was for skiers to stand in place running, with their skis on. The key to this exercise is not to lift the knees but to have the knee and leg go back naturally straight. You then start taking little steps leaning forward. Keep leaning forward and then run with a glide. This exercise results in some skiers naturally showing a good weight shift.
Then they went back to skiing with no poles.
Let's talk about the arms movement for just a moment. Arm swing is opposite to the other ski. Arm swing is from the shoulder with elbows bent at around 90 degrees both forward and back.
Class, came in and stretched and that was a wrap.
Those that wanted to, then drove 4 minutes or so and hit the local city hot tub, steam room and pool. :)
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