Alpine tip by Kate Morrell
Ski technique revolves around a strong balanced stance over both feet. That being the case, it is important that throughout the turn, we try to keep the angles of both ankles and shins the same. In other words, what one lower leg and foot do, the other lower leg and foot does the same. For a better understanding of what I mean, you can do the following. Stand up on a relatively flat surface and bend both ankles the same amount. The angles at the ankles are the same, as well as the angles of your shins. When a skier possesses the ability to do this, not only does it help maintain appropriate balance over both feet during the turn, it puts them in an ideal position at the transition between turns.
Skiing with both ankles flexing and extending together can be uncomfortable at first if you are not used to skiing like that, especially for those of us who learned to ski with our weight primarily on the downhill ski with the uphill ski basically unweighted and doing its own thing. There are a couple of things you can do however, to help incorporate those movements into your own skiing.
The first one is good old fashioned side slipping. From a stopped position with your skis across the hill, release both edges and begin slipping slowly. Focus on your ankles flexing the same amount with weight on both feet. The hips and shoulders should be tilted to match the pitch of the terrain, and the hips and upper body should be slightly countered at about a 45 degree angle to the hill. It is important to keep the uphill ski in check and not allow excessive uphill ski lead. This is difficult because the more natural, comfortable position, is to allow the uphill (or inside) foot and leg to move ahead of the downhill foot and leg. The importance of keeping tips somewhat even becomes readily apparent when we move to the new turn. If the uphill foot is leading, the center of mass has to travel a greater distance to pressure the front of the new outside ski resulting in a longer turn transition. With the feet more even and ankles flexed the same, the time it takes for the center of mass to move forward pressuring the new turn is drastically reduced. This allows the skier to ski much more arc to arc with a minimal flat spot between turns. Exactly what your equipment has been designed to do.
The next step for the purposes of this drill, is to develop a turn using pressure and edge. While side slipping, pressure the uphill ski while it is on its uphill edge, then move your center of mass in the direction of the new turn while simultaneously rolling the knees and ankles. During the weight transfer, it is important that the new inside ski maintain snow contact and the ankle is flexed. This will make it easier for the new inside ski to track and arc evenly along with the outside ski. By the time the skis reach the fall line, try to have both skis weighted concentrating on that inside ankle flexion. There should be just enough pressure on your inside ski to leave a track in the snow that matches the path of the outside ski. As the turn is completed and your skis are pointed the other direction, check your alignment and move right into another side slip … lather, rinse, repeat.
As the skier gets more confident in this drill, minimize the slipping portion and move sooner into the turn, while increasing terrain difficulty.
Note: Ankles flexing at the same angle can easily be incorporated into many drills.
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