MOVE DOWN THE FALL LINE AND RELEASE THE SKI… BUT NOT TOO FAR BY GEOFF KRILL
of excitement because they are riding terrain that others may think is out of their realm. For me and a host of other adaptive sliders, steep terrain is the great equalizer that highlights all the achievements and endless possibilities that our sport provides.
F THE ‘TYPICAL’ ADAPTIVE STEEPS STUDENT
Adaptive students have the same fears, anxiety – and need for fundamental skills – as anyone else tackling the steeps. Success depends on how they blend skills and tactics to take on all the variables and challenges that the steeps have to off er. During assessment, I put students through a variety of tasks
that help them determine their readiness. In the end, it’s not my decisions that will make or break their experience but the mental confi dence they take into a new challenge. I use terrain lower on the mountain – such as narrow cat tracks, the side of a halfpipe, or a steep roller on blue terrain – to either highlight the skills they need for steeper terrain or expose fl aws they may be unwilling to admit. As instructors, we have a pretty good idea of our clients’ weaknesses, so it’s helpful to explore safe, terrain- driven scenarios that give your steeps-crazed students some insight into what they need to work on.
WARM UP MENTALLY
T e warm-up is more a mental exercise then a physical one. We may ski a variety of turn shapes in corridors, but relating that to what they’ll encounter in more challenging terrain is the real drill. Let them know they’ve trained for this and have the skill sets; psyche them up! Skiers need positive thinking and confi dence to back up what they already own on a physical level.
3 ALL-IMPORTANT ELEMENTS TO TEACH
1. Work on smooth, fl uid release of the ski 2. Keep your joints moving. 3. Apply speed control through a variety of turn shapes
T e most frequent issue, especially with those on one ski, is an unwillingness to keep the ski moving down the fall line, which makes it diffi cult to move across and release the ski. T e fi x can be as simple as talking about the sensation of feeling the snow push back against the ski. If they feel like the bottom of the turn is exorbitantly heavy, I encourage them to move into the turn earlier and release the ski. I usually compare it to a plow on a truck that keeps pushing until so much snow builds up behind it that the truck stops. If the blade of the plow is kept at an angle it is easier to keep moving through the snow. I approach the terrain with an idea of how my ski is going to sculpt and brush over the terrain. And then there’s what I say over
24 | 32 DEGREES • WINTER 2017
or any of us who love skiing, the steeps represent the ultimate goal and challenge. Adaptive skiers achieve an even higher level
On ONE CONDITION
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and over in my head: “Keep it moving, release… but not too far across the fall line.” It’s also important to know your limits. As a sit-skier, I’ve learned
that there are days when terrain I’m more than capable of skiing may have conditions that create a “no-fall zone.” Since it’s not always possible to self-arrest, I value smart tactical decisions over short-term glory every time.
TAKING THE PLUNGE
Over the years, I’ve found that talking and coaching at the moment of truth is not in the client’s best interest. My favorite approach is to have them follow me and bring them right into the steeps without hesitation. By this time we have discussed enough. It’s time to just do! As for feedback, tiny reminders are best. T ere is so much
to process while taking on a new and potentially threatening environment. Keep it to one or two key points that will improve performance, since students are already mentally debriefi ng what they just experienced. Build upon the successful pieces of the puzzles to create the excitement for the next attempt. T e number-one indicator of success is a smile. T at proves
I’ve put the fi rst building block in place for my students to take on more challenges and terrain variations. If there’s no smile, I assess the situation and discuss the fears right away. It’s best to get it out right away or it will stew inside them, diminishing their willingness to attempt the run again and learn.
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SCOTT MARKEWITZ
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