Level 2
ALPINE ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES
Individual activities: Manage each of the Technical Fundamentals as prescribed.
Description:
Begin gliding parallel with the fall line, pivot skis perpendicular to the fall line, hold a sideslip and end with a complete stop
Terrain:
Green or gentle Blue terrain/Groomed snow
Ski Performance:
- Skis bend from center throughout assessment activity
- Skis should remain parallel from start to finish
Body Performance:
- Rotate legs at same time and rate separate from the upper body
- Angulation supports edge control and lateral balance while the skis slow down and stop
- Coordinate the flexion and extension of the joints to keep the CoM over the BoS
Speed:
Control the skis’ rotation with leg rotation, separate from the upper body and/or Control the relationship of the Center of Mass to the Base of Support to direct pressure along the length of the skis
Related Activities
Level 2 – Individual
Why is this useful?
Hockey stopping is a major milestone for skiers. This activity introduces rapid pivoting of the skis through leg rotation. Edging skills are also refined in this activity. Fore/Aft and Lateral Pressure control skills are developed through practice of this activity.
Teaching / Learning Cues
Static practice in boots, target the hips and upper body on one direction, step/turn feet to left, back to front, and then right. Repeat.
- Static practice in boots: if unable to stand on both feet and slowly rotate them at same time, practice first with one foot and then the other. Stand with both feet on ground. Turn one foot slowly in the snow, pivot in middle of boot so toe and heel move similar amounts (bow-tie shape created in snow). Practice with other leg. Then practice with both.
- In static drills, if one foot turns faster or earlier than the other, focus on the less active leg and try to have it turn first and faster. Blend back to similar rate and time of rotation for both legs.
- In an uphill arc fan progression, use leg rotation to turn skis. Think: the legs turn more than the body from fall line to finish phase. Turn the legs to tighten the radius of the uphill arc. At first, practice on lower edge angles so the skis can rotate as the legs turn
- In practice, slowly increase the rate and intensity of leg rotation and decrease the time and distance that the rotation takes to occur
- Straight run to sideslip. From straight run, tip skis onto slight edge while rotating skis quickly across the fall line using rapid, yet controlled, turning of both legs in the hip sockets. (Note: keep COM balanced over middle of skis to promote pivot point in middle of skis)
- As the skis are sideslipping, use lower leg movements to increase edge angles until the skis stop (continue to use upper body angulation to manage lateral pressure control while stopping