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Show Whaf Alpine Skiers can earn from Xountry skiing body to get a strong downward and backward push with your poles. Crosscountry Cross-country skiing offers a greater range of upward and forward motion, so the skier would benefit greatly by first practicing this movement in cross-country gear. Climbing--Sidestepping--A beginning skier invariably spends a great deal of time climbing uphill to gain altitude for his first runs. On alpine gear, such uphill climbing may produce more. exhaustion and frustration because movement is inhibited inhibit-ed and the equipment may fell heavy on the feet.-Though feet.-Though lightweight crosscountry cross-country gear is obviously less tedious, movements of the ankles, hips and knees have to be exaggerated to keep the skis on edge and prevent slipping. When you switch to alpine skis, the execution becomes far simpler. Climbing-Herringbone--Herringboning, with the skis in a "V" position and stepping from ski to ski with the weight over the inside edges to prevent slipping back, is a more direct way to climb a hill. The advantages of learning this maneuver on cross-country skis are the ... same as in sidestepping, with the added benefit that the poles are long enough to match the length of the stride. To adapt to alpine skiing, take smaller steps, and shift the grip to lengthen the range of motion. Although cross-country and alpine skiing are two different sports, each with its own specialized equipment, they nevertheless have many basic skills. Many of these skills are more easily learned on cross-country skis, and with a minimum of adaptation, adapta-tion, can be transferred to alpine skiing. Cross-country skiing is also an excellent early-season conditioner when the snow cover is still too thin for alpine, and during the season, it is a good change of pace. The following alpine skiing teach-niques teach-niques are easily taught on cross-country skis: Walking-Because the equipment is designed for it, walking on skis can be very easily learned on crosscountry, cross-country, gear. The skier can walk in a much more relaxed manner with lighter skis and flexible boots. This speeds up the familiarization with the long appendages attached attach-ed to your feet and assists in learning to balance on a narrow platform. Equally important, it emphasizes the rhythmic approach so essential essen-tial in all skiing maneuvers. Double Poling-One movement move-ment that beginning alpine skiers are frequently taught in order to become accustomed accustom-ed to the feeling of gliding on snow is double poling- a push with the poles and then a glide. This can be achieved more easily on cross-country equipment, where double poling is an essential maneuver man-euver for all levels of skiers. It is easier to learn because of the freedom of movement in the ankles and feet. Just extend you body upward and forward so that you can use the weight of your upper |
