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Last Updated31 October 2024
3 Track skiing covers the elements of the pathway that introduce skiing for the first time and how to turn. Learn the what, why and how of teaching the basics, from the very beginning. It covers how we assess someone for using 3 Track, safety considerations and which equipment could be used.

Learning to Turn with 3 Track

What, Who, How

What

Learning to turn on one ski using outriggers to aid balance and developing a method to control speed.

Who

Anyone who can only stand on ski and already perform a balanced straight run with a flat ski. This may be an above knee amputee or someone with one paralysed leg. See the Physical Assessment model to understand more.

How

Begin with the Wedgeless Progression to introduce 3 Track and learn to turn.

Hot Tip
Take frequent rest breaks. Place a chair close to the bottom of a run for this purpose. Utilise the time sitting to provide feedback and explain the next activity.
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Movements & Performance

Balance/Stance

The student stands centred over their ski in the basic stance. The joints are slightly flexed and the outriggers are just brushing the snow with the tails in front of the toe binding. If the ski is not flat, check the alignment of the boot cuff and consider minimal canting on the outside of the foot.

Rotational

Focus on turning a flat ski. Have the student use the inside heel and little toe/outside heel and big toe when turning to ensure the ski pivots around the centre of the foot.

Edging

Keep the ski flat and keep edging movements to a minimum. Edging at the completion of the turn and in a traverse is achieved by the skier standing vertically relative to the angle of the slope. The skier will need to actively flatten the ski at the beginning of the turn.

Pressure Control Movements

Dynamic movement can be less tiring than static positions so encourage the student to use flexion and extension where appropriate.

Terrain, Equipment & Safety

Terrain

Use a learners area with as much width as possible to allow space for the activities.

Equipment

  • Outriggers to assist with balance.
  • One ski and ski boot, with a wam waterproof boot on the other foot.
  • Have a chair available close by for frequent rest stops.

Safety

  • Ski without the prosthesis, and keep it in a warm dry place.
  • Teach the student to fall in a way that protects their stump.
  • Strap the weak leg to the strong leg if they have no control over it.
  • Avoid exercises that stress the knee joint.
  • Determine the cause of impairment and check safety red flags.

Corrective Teaching

Student struggles to rotate their ski:

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Focus on the student steering a flat ski with their whole leg. Rotation needs to be led from the leg and happen around a vertical axis.
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Try a mix of fan progression and open turns gradually making the turns rounder. Use flexion and extension to aid the turning movement.
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Use their outriggers to help balance and maintain a stable upper body.

Student struggles to link turns:

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Use garlands and traversing to teach the student edge release and engagement.
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Ensure edging movements are small, happen from the foot, and only occur at turn completion and initiation.
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The ski should be steered flat through the majority of the turn.
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Use a follow-me approach.
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Encourage the student to pressure the tip of the ski at the beginning of the turn and to re-centre through the turn.

Student struggles to control their speed in steeper terrain:

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Flexion and extension will help blend the movements as the student varies the timing, intensity and duration of their movements.
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Check that all movement is being led from the leg and that the student is maintaining a good stance.
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Encourage rotational separation and begin developing angulation as the student skis steeper terrain.