Once on the ski slopes, don't be impressed when you see the spectacular slopes or allow yourself to be intimidated by the wonderful skiers with their rhythmic movements... one day you will be one of them.
The choice of terrain
The most important thing in a ski class, whatever the level, is the terrain on which we are going to develop the technique. A wrong choice can hinder our learning. It is necessary to know that the technical difficulty of a track is marked by the color of the markers that indicate its route.
The colors are, by degree of difficulty, green, blue, red and black, and appear drawn on the track map of each station. The beginners' area is usually located on the esplanade where the ski lifts on the green and blue slopes depart.
The ideal terrain for a beginner must be flat and with soft snow, to prevent the skis from slipping away and achieve better stability.
Adaptation to the material
You must make sure to close the hooks of the boot correctly and adjust them so that it does not compress the foot too much, but it should not be too loose either. It is importantthat the ankles do not move, for which the tibia must be continuously supported on the shaft or upper part of the boot.
To put your skis on the snow, it is advisable to place themparallel in a position perpendicular to the natural slope of the slope (when there is one). The next step is to insert the boot into the binding, checking that there is no snow on the sole. First we put on the valley ski (the one below) and then the mountain ski (the one above).
When you step on the bindings, the safety brakes are lifted and the soles of the skis remain completely adhered to the snow. The feeling now is different, we are on what is going to be our particular means of transportation and we must prepare to begin the first adaptation exercises.
The natural position of the skier is defined by the following observations:
- The distance between the skis should coincide with the width of our hips.
- The ankles and knees must be semi-flexed forward.
- The arms are also semiflexed and separated from the body. The poles, during this beginner stage, only serve the function of help and support on the snow, so that it is easier for us to move.
Adaptation exercises while standing
- We lift a ski by the tail, that is, with the heel of our foot.
- We lift the entire surface of the ski, that is, the entire sole of the foot.
- Once the entire ski has been lifted, we cross it over the tip of the other, without touching it; When we turn our foot inward, the ski also turns.
- Once the entire ski has been lifted, we cross it over the other's tail, without touching it; When we open our foot outwards, the tails open too.
What is all this for?
To realize that the ski is like a huge foot, therefore we must learn not to make sudden movements that do not control its length. Too large an opening or an uncontrolled turn can cause skis to lock. Other exercises that can help you are:
- Push-ups on the knees.
- Turning around our axis, for example, looking behind us.
- Jumps, but not crazy!
It is advisable to do the exercises slowly and consciously, since the most important thing is to learn to know the material. Familiarizing ourselves with it is essential: the sooner we accept our new dimensions, the sooner we will be able to make them obey us.
Adaptation exercises in movement
- Walk normally, just as we do when we walk down the street, lifting one ski first and then the other, and alternating the support of poles.
- Describe circles. It is very important to control the opening movements of the skis. If when describing a circle to the right we open the right tip too much to start the circle, the tails of the skis can become blocked when they are pressed against each other. To prevent this from happening, short movements are made, trying not to step on the skis.
- Describe circles. Repeat the previous exercise in both directions.
- Slide. This is the first time that our body will move like a compact block on skis. To do this, remember the natural position: parallel skis, hip-width apart, and bend your ankles and knees forward. The trunk is lean forward, while we push ourselves with a blow of both sticks. It is important not to leave the body behind, we just have to go with the slide and let ourselves go. It is advisable to maintain speed and control balance.
