Wed
26 Jan 2005
4:35 pm
The goal in downhill skiing is to move down a slope quickly, but without getting hurt. If not for the latter condition, you could just try going downhill in a straight line. However, if you want to live to see tomorrow, you must incorporate turns into your descent.
That is the theoretical part; here is the practical part. You turn by pushing on your forward ski. That is, you push down on the ski that's going to be in front of you. To turn left, push on your right ski. To turn right, push on your left ski. Imagine that you are crushing a grape under the ball of your foot. Expect to work your quadriceps, hold your hands outward somewhat to help you balance, and consider how far apart you're holding your feet. Try early on to get used to leaning forward in your boots, because this gives you better leverage and more precise control, and then perhaps it won't be as scary to lean forward on the very steep slopes. Plan on falling a lot!
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