Video Review
By Ed Kane
T
his 16 minute video was produced by the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance (CSIA) to provide a focus on getting the maximum performance out of a pair of skis. There is some emphasis on how these concepts apply to skiing on shaped skis, but the majority of the footage gives the viewer an opportunity to look at some high powered skiing. These sequences will give the instructor some excellent opportunities to view the "5 Common Movement Patterns of Good Alpine" skiing at work. A copy is available from the office for rental or can be purchased from the CSIA.The film is broken into 4 segments, which are titled: Stance and Balance; Pressure Control; Edge Control and Steering; and Pivoting. It is narrated which gives a chance to observe the Canadian Alliance interpretation of our skills concepts. (This alone should provide some spirited discussions among the instructor ranks.) The value, in my mind, as I watched it was an opportunity to watch some excellent skiing and to observe the Four Common Movements at work. I found myself backing up the video and slowing some of the footage down to better see some of these movements.
The first segment starts with some lower level skiing tasks which nicely demonstrate these movement pools at this level of skiing. Higher level skiing demonstrating the same pools at a more intense level follows these. The Stance and Balance segment provides the focus on maintaining pressure over the whole sole of the foot throughout the entire turn. The Pivoting section has some excellent illustrations of movement of the legs to change the direction of the skis throughout the turns. The Edging and Steering portion has some great illustrations of the movement of the body in the direction of the turn to change the edges and the use of the legs after crossing the fall-line to shape the turn radius. The last section, Pressure Control, nicely illustrates the function of flexing and extending the ankles, knees and hips to control pressure and keep the skis in contact with the snow.
Overall, this is a very well done video and provides some great images to help the viewer see and better understand what has been recently been appearing in print. I would strongly recommend that all instructors have a chance to see this video and would especially recommend it to those who are planning to take the Level III Teaching and Professional Knowledge exam module.