PSIA-AASI

I am preparing for my level 3 alpine exam and one of the tasks that I will be asked to demonstrate is one ski skiing, on either leg.  I can currently carve the ski in a series of consistent linked turns on groomed green and blue terrain.  Should I also be skidding these same turns?  If so, what are some tips/exercises that I can use to practice.  Any input from a division examiner/clinician would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Logan

I’m not a clinic leader or examiner so this is just another viewpoint.

My experience has been the examiners are looking at skill blend and movement more so than is there a skid or curve. While they may ask to see either, none of the exams I’ve taken have been that specific. They only asked us to ski a pattern on one foot.

If you can carve on one foot you should also be able to skid. The difference is how you blend the skills, mostly edge and rotary. Practice both.

You should be doing things like lane changes and hour glasses (large radius to small radius to large radius). Practice these on two feet and on one foot. Changing radius will promote steering and skidding as well as carving.

I added skiing the bumps on one foot. But if you do start small and be careful. The objective is to be more versatile in your skiing, not break legs or knees.

You mentioned working on green and blue. Add black to the mix. You may not have the control you expect or want (I never have) but it will challenge you. Even if you only get a couple turns done before getting the other foot down, when you take it back to the blues you’ll see an improvement.

I hope these spark some thoughts of your own. Good luck with level 3.

Good Day Logan,
Congrats on your decision to train and go for level 3!
Short answer: both. and the carve is the easier one, so more likely will be medium radius round turn shape type turns.

Tips: I find that using the leg that is not on the snow is helpful. Flex and extend the ankle/knee/hip of that leg as well. So as you are skiing you are really still active with both legs. Also consider using leg turning especially of the inside leg that is off the snow. I find that this activity with the “off snow leg and ski” compliments the movements of the leg and ski on the snow an makes for a more natural outcome.

Hope that makes sense?
Greg
former clinician

One other thing to check that came up this weekend on the hill. Have a co-worker or friend watch the unweighted ski. It should be mostly parallel to the snow or slightly tip down. If the tail goes down you are back or have your hips twisted or both.

We found this to be an easy check on how we are standing.

You can check it yourself if no one else is around, with a quick downward glance. Avoiding looking between your legs to check the tail is not recommended.