Steeps Skiing

What

Steep skiing happens on black gradient slopes, either on or off piste. Steep skiing can also be in a situation where a particularly steep roll over, drop off or chute needs to be negotiated.

Why

Skiing steep terrain can be an exhilarating challenge for skiers. Being able to ski steep terrain in control opens up the whole mountain to be explored.

How

Using a closed turn shape, faster rates of steering and strong edging through the end of the turn will help skiers navigate steep terrain. A solid pole touch in the release phase of the turn aids upper body stability, and helps the skier commit to moving into the new turn.

Skills

Situational Understanding

• Develop awareness of how the slope angle can help create edge and grip
• Use black or double black slopes
• Use a closed turn shape to control speed
• Travel at a speed that the skier is comfortable with, helping them remain confident on the steep terrain
• Develop awareness of how wider skis can benefit skiing steep off-piste slopes
• Develop awareness of how narrow skis can benefit skiing steep on-piste slopes

Active Stance & Balance

• Develop a greater range of forward movement through the top half of the turn. In steep terrain, this will keep the skier centred as the skis go from across the hill to pointing down the hill quickly during the beginning of the turn
• Use aft movement to pull the feet back underneath the body during the create phase, maintaining a centred stance on steep terrain
• Use a lower stance on steeper terrain, helping the skier develop stability and access to greater ranges of rotational and lateral movements
• On very steep and narrow terrain, using vertical movements to lift the skis from the snow will make it easier to turn the skis quickly
• Using hip flexion to control the upper body will help the skier maintain balance on the outside ski during the second half of the turn

Outside Ski Balance

• Balance on the outside ski should be developed early in the turn; however, on steep terrain it can be achieved in the middle of the turn
• Developing angulation through the pole swing will help to stabilise the upper body through the bottom half of the turn

Edging

• Edging in steep terrain is a combination of inclination of the legs, and the skis turning across the steep slope angle
• Maximum edging will happen later in the turn on steep terrain

Steering

• Increased rates of steering are required on steep terrain
• Turning the skis can be quicker when the skis are off the snow, this is for very steep and narrow terrain
• A greater range of rotational separation is required when skiing short turns on steep terrain. It will help the skier release the turn more efficiently and maintain outside ski balance through the second half of the turn
• Use the pole swing and touch to help develop separation. Touch the pole further down the hill and in line with the ski boot to achieve this
• Greater intensity can be required to steer the skis through the second half of the turn as edge generates

Ski Snow Interaction

• The steering angle will be developed at a faster rate through the top half of the turn, and the overall amount of steering angle will be the most of any on or off-piste performance
• Edge angle will develop during the bottom half of the turn and be aided by the steep slope angle
• The platform angle will reach 90 degrees at the end of the turn once the skis are turned across the fall line, establishing grip and a groove for the ski to travel along

Terrain

The ideal terrain is short pitches of steeper terrain with an easy exit.

Class Handling

Steep terrain, by its very nature, brings in a risk of falling and then sliding. Make sure you use easier terrain to check and challenge your student’s skill before heading into steeper terrain. Short pitches of steep terrain to start will mean that if a fall does happen your students won’t slide too far. Think about the snow conditions: the same pitch with different snow (e.g. fresh powder, or firm chalky) will present a far greater or lesser sliding risk. Consider educating your students in self-arrest techniques.