Dynamics http://madeinmountains.com/dynamics/
Susan, Sophia and Nisha had all previously been taught to “transfer weight ” to the outside ski in the turn. This is a fundamental error of ski teaching. Only a few people overcome this problem naturally because the correct movement pattern is very counter intuitive – due to the speeds and range of accelerations involved. The link given above covers the basic pedagogy we used to put everyone on the right path.
One extra benefit for Susan is the extension of the outside leg from the initiation of the turn protects against knee strain and damage.
Please also note the the key here is the dynamic (acceleration) motion of the centre of mass. Just like a motorbike turning the centre of mass comes down and into the turn – finishing by coming back up and out of the turn. Forward speed is required. The leg extension is not sending the centre of mass upwards – it is pushing it into the turn instead.
Angulation http://madeinmountains.com/chiskiing/
(Only) Susan was introduced to hip “angulation” to reduce her body rotation. Susan was shown why “facing the chest down the mountain” is a mistake – deactivating postural reflexes.
The link above covers the subject and explains why the outside hip joint must be pulled backward during the turn – so the pelvis faces downhill – but not the chest!
Pivot http://madeinmountains.com/pivo/
Everyone had a basic introduction to “Pivot ” – where the turn starts from the outside edge of the turning ski. This enables turning without any forward motion (sliding only sideways) – with the centre of mass controlled by using the ski pole planted in the snow.
The girls were shown how to use the bumps in the afternoon to make pivoting easy and so to make constructive use of the bumps.
Even when sliding forward the dynamics can start with a leg extension on the uphill ski while still on its uphill edge – there’s no need at all to stem and search for the inside edge of the ski to turn you.
The link above gives a whole series of demonstrations…
Today’s Views…
