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Show 2D r Ski Schools Lakeside Review North, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1983 What It Cost to Get to the Topi - Tuns ForeE 1983-8- 4 Learning) CHERYL ARCHIBALD Review Correspondent Although there are many ski instruction techniques world wide, the different methods in the United States are becoming more and more alike. In the next 10 years, instruction techniques may be- come internationally universal. This year, for the first time, instructors will begin to be certified on a national level rather than solely on the regional level said Nick Nichol, senior supervisor of instruction at the Alf Engen ski school in Alta. Methods used by Midwestern and eastern ski schools will soon merge with the instruction methods in the west. In the East and Midwest, where the hills have only an 800-fo- ot vertical rise, the Graduated Length Method or (GLM) is used. Students start out using 130 centimeter skis. After a day or two they graduate to longer skis. Mountains in, the west are much steeper, with a vertical rise of 2,000 feet. Skiers need to learn more control. So the technique used in Utah and other western states is the American Teaching Method, (ATM). Students are first taught to do a wedge turn, better known as the snow plow. The wedge controls speed and gives the skier a wide platform for balance, said Nichol. After students master the snow plow, the next step is to teach them the christy movements. Nichols describes the stem Christy as two wedge turns linked with a traversing side slip. He said students practice skiing across the hill with skis slipping downward a ... little. . , ; After the stem christy, students work on skiing parallel, and turning in a parallel. A wide track is taught first Nichols said the feet are hip or shoulder width apart. He compares the position to the wide beam or an eight-inc- h difference between walking on a four-inc- h beam. As students get better at that skill, they can get their ' feet closer together." , . European skiing techniques all vary with each country, Nichol said. Most of the differences are technical, such as position of the skis. For example, Americans ski with a wider stance than the Austrians, who have their feet right together. Austrians have probably the most upright skiing stance and Japanese skiers have a lower body position, with knees bent and hips low. That position takes more . , leg strength, Nichols said. ; Every four years, before each Winter Olympic Games, representatives from 26 nations meet to demonstrate and observe different skiing techniques. Nichols said the meetings have brought the techniques closer together. He notes that Americans are among the most progressive in the way of teaching. Nationally, representatives, from 11 regional divisions will take the national certification test this year. Nichols said that last year about 230 registered instructors from the Professional Ski Instructors of America, Intermountain Division, took the certification test regionally. About 55 percent of those passed. There are two levels associate and the full. of certification-t- he Instructors are trained by certified instructors. They are put in the instruction program under supervision before they cap teach. To take the certification test, instructors must belong to' a ski school and have 100 hours of teaching. If instructors fail the test, we help them with the area they didnt pass. Nichol said that consumers will benefit in the years to come from this emergence of instruction techniques. No matter where students go they will get the same skiing lessons whether in Vermont, Alta, or somewhere else He even sees this happening worldwide. This is important for consumers. Theyll be happier and we will benefit from that. : ! , ;The X-Coun- Difference try Try the Siding Alternative i :JUDY JENSEN Review Correspondent Cross country skiing is one of the fastest growing I sports in America, according to some experts in Ithe field. The reasons for the surge in interest, they claim, are that cross country is much less expensive than 'alpine skiing. There are no crowds to fight or lines 'to wait in. ; For as little as $50, you can buy a cross country ski outfit, said Michael Conner, cross country skier and employee of Sunset Sports Center. If a person I would like to try it before they invest, an entire ski outfit can be rented for as little as $6 a day. The quality of cross country skis has greatly improved over the past few years said Conner ahd any ski manufactured in the last two years would be very good. He suggests a waxless ski for begi-- -- -- nners. Cross country skis are longer than Alpine skis, kand should be measured from the floor to the wrist with the arm extended overhead.. ; Boots should be chosen for comfort and warmth. They are manufactured in high top or low top styles, the choice between the two depends on personal preference. The cost of boots for recreational cross country skiing ranges between $20 and $70. For back country skiing and mountaineering boots the costs increase to between $70 and $130. Bindings come in two widths 50mm. and 75mm. I Boots need to correspond in width. Three pins 1 FOR AVALANCHE INFORMATION CALL 364-158- 1 'from the binding protrude and fit into the sole of the foot, at the toe. These pins help to hold the boot in place. According to Conner, bindings range in price I from $8 to $24, for recreational cross country ski- ing. Mountaineers, who might, carry a pack, would ;need a stronger binding that may cost up to $135. Conner recommends the wider bindings for beginners because it provides more control. I The poles used for cross country are longer and .more flexible than for alpine skiing. Poles should be measured to the arm pit with the arm extended horizontally. Poles are made of fiberglass or cane land range in price from $6 to $7 said Conner. He ; remarked the quality of the pole doesnt affect ; your skiing unless,it breaks. - Cross country skiers dont need to bundle up as much as alpine skiers. You would be warm I enough, said Conner, in a good knee high wool ; sock, wool or corduroy knickers and a wool sweat-- , er But knowledge of equipment is only a small part t of cross country. The Alpine skier must under-- ; stand the nature of avalanche and respect the dan-- j ger it posses for the cross country skier. For the beginning alpine skier, the best bet is to Stay on well manicured and labeled trails. The - -- -- r k i novice should never get into the high country without an expert. Stay with the known and safe trails. Information on avalanche conditions of the Wasatch Front can be learned from The recording will give avalanche hazards as well as recent snow amounts and density packs. Where the best cross country ski trails are depends on who you ask. Ski Utah lists three cross country touring centers. Brighton Touring, White Pines Touring and Wolf Creek Touring. These areas offer cross country lessons and prepared courses. Many other touring areas are also avail364-158- 1. W COJB rmmETTEEl able. Don Despain, manager of Brighton Touring, said they offer a prepared course of 15 km. or 9.5 miles. The cost for use of the track is $3.50 per day for adults, children under 12 are free. Locally, the Bountiful Golf Course will be open1 to cross Country skiers this year. Experienced local skiers also suggest Farmington Canyon and Browns Mountain. Judy Bowles, aerobic instructor, is also an avid cross country skier. She prefers being off the beaten path, because you can see more scenery and enjoy it more. Miss BowleS said that cross country skiing is rated as one of the most difficult aerobic exercises and she uses it for a workout. The basic cross country maneuver is a kick and glide movement in which the arms are thrust forward. The herringbone is used to climb. In this movement the feet are spread, skis pointed out and ankles turned in. According to Conner, these two movements are easily learned and a person can practice the kick and glide standing still. The most difficult cross country skill is telemarking. This is a specialized turn that is used by advanced skiers to get down a steep hill. For some, cross country skiing is a family affair. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Holbrook, who with their eight children live in North Salt Lake,' started cross country skiing after a friend introduced them to it. It is a fun inexpensive family sport, Mrs. Holbrook said. She went on to say they enjoy the togetherness. The adventure of exploring untraveled areas is a piece of heaven as we glide over the deep snow, falling, laughing and enjoying the wildlife we see along the way. When the Holbrook children were asked what they liked most about cross country skiing, 1 Ruth responded, The adventure of making our own trails and just for the fun. Chandler, 10, said, I like going down the hills and falling all over the place, and John, 7, added I like going down the hill, the straight down ones, and being with my family in the snow. One University of Utah said the best part of cross country skiing is It makes me feel like Im on top of the world, away from it all. Another young man said the best part is warming up with hot food and drinks when he gets back. 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