Skiing happens in the curves

Feel the exhilaration of skiing by letting go of the straight lines and head into the curves from the very beginning.

As an early learner make the commitment to be in the curve as much as you can allow yourself. The curve you are in ends when the next curve begins; let go of the traversing between curves. This is as much a mental and emotional endeavour as it is technical, in fact more so. Choose the slope gradient wisely enabling you to increase the likelihood of being in the curves more of the time. If the slope is too steep for you it’s likely the traverse will make an appearance.

Remember a traverse does not reduce speed. The curve shape determines your speed, and you choose the curve shape. The traverse gives you time out to notice your anxiety and worry, not desirable. Stay in the curve and deal with the skiing as it happens in the curve, you will progress quicker and happier.

As a seasoned skier commit to starting the run facing straight down the slope, or in the ‘flow line’ as I name it. Your speed will increase; this is desirable as it enables you to move into the first curve with the momentum required to feel the exhilaration of skiing. Once in the curves stay in them, control your speed by choosing the curve length and curviness which results in the speed which you are comfortable with. Explore making a variety of shapes and sizes of curve, notice the result on your speed. Increasing your versatility in this way will significantly contribute to you becoming a great all-round skier.

For all levels of skiers, the more time spent in the curves the quicker your skiing will improve. Why is this? Well, it’s in the curve where skiing takes place and is felt. The key thing is that we need curves to remain in control and in comfort. When in curves we are exposed to forces which help us to maintain balance, make movements and postures. Try standing still then make the movements and body shapes as you do when skiing and you will see what I mean, you will fall over. Do these movements and postures while in the curve with motion and you’re on the way to skiing well and enjoying the sport more fully.

On my ski weeks in Champoluc, where you’re skiing and learning with others, we explore being in the curves and not, on different types of slopes, snow conditions and gradients. I lead you through practices on slopes which enable you to safely and enjoyably experiment and explore speed control as we are skiing in the curves, rather than making discreet exercises and drills. It keeps the learning real, specific and more enjoyable, we learn on the move, seeing the whole mountain as we progress.

The Monterosa ski area is huge, leading up the slopes are 3 valleys in which the towns of Champoluc, Gressoney and Alagna are located. I see it as the 3 Valleys of unlimited terrain, on piste, off piste and back country. Check it out.

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