Linking Turns & Beyond

What

Once a student can make turns to control their speed we can develop their skiing and riding further, Often this is where we start to work with how we teach our regular lessons.

Who

Anyone learning to ski using adaptive equipment.

How

To continue to develop our students ability we use the same progressions as we would in Ski and Snowboard while having an understanding that the movements may not be the same and adaptation will be needed.

Applying the Adaptive principles, a good assessment along with the idea of developing skills through the lowest functioning body part we can develop strong and well developed Students.

Determine the skier’s level based on the terrain they are skiing and timing of their edge engagement. Analyse the skier’s movements carefully and then apply the principle of using the lowest functional part of the body to make a movement. Aim to develop movements that are as close as possible to what you would see in a demonstration turn for that level. Teach the exercises you always use when teaching turning, from the fan progression through to garlands. This will help the student to develop their skills at all levels.

Active Edge Engagement & Release

As the skier does not have a wedge to create an edge angle they will need to actively edge the ski at the end of the turn and actively flatten the ski at turn initiation. As with snowboarding the initial movements will be small and will occur only at the completion of the turn and to initiate the new turn. The ski will be flat through most of the turn with only enough edge to allow the ski(s) to grip through the completion phase.

Progressively Earlier Edge Engagement

Over time teach the skier to engage the edge earlier and earlier in the turn. This will require them to move more actively across the ski(s) with the lower body to flatten the ski, and to continue that movement to engage the new edge. Angulation with the upper body will assist the skier to remain balanced while doing this.
It cannot be stressed enough that the development of this movement happens over time and is progressively applied. Only move across the ski as much as is possible without losing balance to the inside of the turn. Edge engagement will gradually move from the completion of the turn to slightly earlier and slightly earlier as the skier’s skills increase. At a beginner level we see the edge engage late in the control phase on easy terrain. For a given skill level edge engagement will happen later in the turn on steeper terrain than it does on flatter terrain. At an intermediate level we see edge engagement early in the control phase on easy terrain but late in the control phase on steep terrain.

With any skiing and riding ALL of the student’s skills will need to be strengthened to allow for successful earlier edge engagement. Increased rotational forces need to be developed with the lowest functional part of the body turning underneath the upper body to create a more counter-rotated position. Pressure needs to be controlled with a progressive directed extension and controlled flexion. The movements will need to be blended and have more precise timing and rhythm.

Exploring Turn Shape, Size, & Speed

This will strengthen the student’s ability by applying their skills in different ways, at different speeds, and at varying strengths.

Exploring Steeper Terrain

When exploring steeper and varying terrain, and different snow conditions, ALL of the skier’s skills (balance, rotation, edging and pressure control) will need to be developed in the same way as in your regular progressions. On steeper terrain it will be important to apply pressure to the front of the ski and to rotate it through its flat phase to initiate turns, and to then re-centre through the turn. More active edge release will need to be encouraged. Stronger rotational movements will prevent the skier picking up too much speed through the turn.