Some of you are expressing being more comfortable on the downhill sections now, but still wanted some practice at more step turns.The trail conditions have gone from just about right, to quite hard, and getting an edge is at times a bit tricky.
Some of you also had wax that was grabbing at times, you were made aware of the possibility before class. It is always a compromise between grip and glide. Most all of you went with hard wax, but klister was working well too.
Standing still, we first practised standing upright, then into a high tuck with poles squeezed to your body and then into a lowered crouch with hands pushed low in front of you and arms naturally straight. This was practised at a quick pace, as called out, so that you could go quickly and comfortable from one position to another. If all else fails, a controlled fall is better then a wipe-out, and you are already close to the snow.
Coming down the hill, you scanned for others in front of you. You already had determined whether you were staying in the tracks or out of the tracks for the first portion of the downhill and were in a high tuck, after poling was of no more use for acceleration. Your elbows are squeezing the poles to your side, as you do not want poles flailing out. You are a hazard with those poles if you do not keep them under control, as faster skiers maybe trying to get past you. Do not be surprised if they slap your pole out of the way, to get past you.
As you approached the turn you use a braking snow plow of some form and stepped out of the tracks. You looked for some softer snow to edge on, and entered the corner under control, and at a speed that felt safe to you.
You bent at the knees and ankles and got lower to the ground, however do not bend at the waist. Keep those shoulders over the ankles. On the actual turn the hips are pushed to the inside of the turn, but your shoulders stayed over the flexed edged ski and ankle. That outside downhill leg is flexed, do not allow it to straighten and do not pull away from the turn.
Your hands stayed low, below the waist, and the downhill arm pumped forward and down which assisted in each quick step turn. This does take practice, but will benefit you greatly.
As soon as possible when finishing the turn, you go into the hippity hop, and then double poling, once your speed has slowed enough to use poles. You then have to decide if you are going directly in to the classic tracks or pole in the skating lane.
Short quick step turns are better then a few big step turns, because if your skis slip, you have a chance of recovering easier. Some of you may do stem christies or christies, but that too is slowing down and losing wax.
You normally go from the outside of the curve, to the inside of the curve, before drifting back to the outside again. Remember that the inside of the curve maybe soft, and have no base for your skis or poling action. Keep your eyes open at all times for debris as well.
A step turn is for acceleration, so keep that in mind! If you are snow plow turning, then you are losing your kick wax and slowing down!
In class tonight you also learned about taking different lines, going around the corners. You were encouraged to pass those in front of you. For those of you being passed, you just hold your line, be predictable, and do not panic. Those behind will pass as soon as they can. There were a few falls tonight, but that is part of the learning process that helps you learn, :)
Go Ski, have fun, be safe.
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