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Last Updated29 February 2024
The first-time skier covers the elements of the pathway that introduce skiing for the first time. Learn the what, why and how of teaching the basics of skiing, from the very beginning. Dive deep into the technical know-how and discover teaching tactics for introduction to skiing, straight runs, and gliding wedge.

Gliding Wedge

What, Why, How

What

A gliding wedge is created by blending lateral and rotational movements of the legs to form a wedge shape with the skis.

Why

A gliding wedge is used because it prepares skiers to move around the mountain independently and to turn.

How

On the same easy terrain that straight runs were practised, introduce skiers to lateral and rotational movements of the legs to develop the wedge shape of the skis.

VIDEO: Gliding Wedge
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Technical Know-how

What’s New

The wedge position with the skis, and gliding with the wedge.

Performance Tips
Skis: Focus on having a small gap between the tip of the skis, and a large space between the tails of the skis

Body: Focus on combining lateral and rotational movements of the legs to create the wedge

Skills

Situational Understanding

  • Use a gentle slope with a flat run off
  • Introduce a stopping wedge before taking skiers up an inclined slope
  • Keep the speed of travel slow
  • If using wider skis, understand edging will become harder and steering will become easier

Active Stance & Balance

  • Increase the skier’s stability by moving the feet further apart, creating a wider base of support
  • Keep the upper body stable to allow angulation to develop as the wedge is created

Outside Ski Balance

  • Introduce feelings of the arch for both feet
  • The skier will balance on the inside edge of both skis, the centre of gravity remains between the feet

Edging

  • Create edge naturally by standing with a wider base of support
  • Use abduction to move the feet out to the side, introducing the skier to angulation

Steering

  • Internal rotation of both femurs is used to turn the tips of the skis inwards, creating the wedge shape
  • Muscular engagement is required to maintain the wedge shape of the skis; as the skier slides forward forces will act on the skier pushing the skis back to parallel

Ski Snow Interaction

  • Opposing steering angles are introduced to create the wedge shape
  • Edge angles are developed by standing with the skis in a wedge shape, creating grip between the skis and the snow
  • Platform angles will need to be greater than 90 degrees on both skis to allow the skis to slide smoothly on the snow

Teaching Tactics

Terrain

The best terrain is a gentle slope with a flat or uphill run out. Introducing the wedge should ideally be taught on the same terrain as straight runs.

Class Handling

Start teaching a wedge on the same easy terrain where straight runs were performed, this will build confidence in your students. Students at this point might still be sidestepping or walking back up the hill, so take things easy and give lots of practice time. Having your students in a line is a good way to control the group and allow your students to slowly increase the length of the run they are doing. Once you have confidence that students have control through their gliding wedge, then many ski areas will have easy conveyor lifts to make the run longer without students having to walk. Make sure you consider how you are going to safely get your students on and off any conveyor lifts.

Example Activities
  • Show a wedge on the flat, and try it
  • Step into the wedge on the flat, jump into a wedge on the flat
  • While on flat, push forward with poles and brush/slide into a wedge
  • Start in a straight run and then slide into a wedge
  • Focus on the legs creating the wedge
  • Encourage students to feel the legs moving laterally
  • Encourage students to feel the legs moving rotationally
  • Focus on smoothly moving into a wedge
  • Make the run longer
  • Try varying the wedge size - bigger slower, smaller faster
  • Try adjusting size and speed on demand
  • Ensure that a good stable gliding wedge is being achieved before introducing turning

Corrective Teaching

Student struggles to make a symmetrical wedge.
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One leg might be stronger than the other, be sure to give practice time focusing on both legs
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If students rotate their legs without laterally opening their legs they will get their tips crossed
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Make sure students are moving laterally from the femurs, not just from the knees
Student struggles to control speed.
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Make sure that the skis are on edge due to the lateral movement of the legs
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Make sure the rotational effort is coming from the steering of the legs; if the foot is leading the steering, it will have a flattening effect on the ski
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Make sure both edges are similar (if opposite) to create an even friction
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Skis will glide over the snow as friction is created
Student loses balance or becomes stiff as the wedge is created.
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Make sure the legs aren't being excessively extended as the wedge is created
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Make sure that the skiing joints aren't becoming unevenly flexed
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Pay close attention to the ankles. Does the ankle open (extend) as the wedge is created?

Self Reflection

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“Did all students manage to make a wedge straight away?”
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“Was there enough practice time?”
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“Were all students able to balance in a Straight run before I introduced the wedge?”
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“Did I move to the conveyer lift too soon?”