How to master parallel movement:
(1)Twin skisStand perpendicular to the fall line. (2) Lift oneskiand move it sideways one step toward your body, then move the other ski one step in the same direction. Repeat this alternation to move uphill or downhill. Note that this method is only suitable for moving along the fall line. Keep your skis perpendicular to the fall line during the movement, and use the edge of the skis to grip the snow to prevent sliding.
How to master the wedge walk technique:
(1) Stand facing uphill, place your skis in an outward V-shape, and use the inside edges to grip the snow and prevent sliding. (2) Move one ski upward in an inward V-shape, using the edge to grip the snow, then move the other ski to complete a shift. Alternate repeatedly to move uphill.
Outward V-step uphill:
The outward V-step uphill is a more efficient method than the sidestep. The key points are: face the fall line directly, position the ski tips wide apart and tails close together in an outward V-shape, rotate your knees inward to angle the inside edges of the skis against the snow, hold the ski poles behind you by the handles (like an elderly person using a cane), and alternate lifting each ski uphill while naturally supporting yourself with the poles behind you.
How to turn around on a slope:
After using parallel movement and wedge walk techniques to reach a certain point on the slope, turning around smoothly to ski downhill can be challenging. Many people struggle with the turning technique, leading to falls or backsliding. (1) First, use the wedge walk technique to stop partway up the slope. (2) Keep the ski tails stationary and move the ski tips, maintaining a wedge shape throughout the movement and using the edges to grip the snow. (3) Stop when the downhill ski is aligned perpendicularly to the fall line. Align the uphill ski parallel to the downhill ski. (4) Keep the ski tips stationary and move the ski tails, maintaining an inverted wedge shape throughout the movement and using the edges to grip the snow. (5) Stop when you’re facing downhill, with the skis in an inverted wedge shape and your body maintaining the basic skiing posture.
Basic movements and methods of the snowplow brake:
This section is the focus and essential skill of this lesson. It’s a crucial step for beginners entering the world of skiing. After using the wedge step uphill method to reach a certain slope, use the slope turnaround method to position your skis in an inward V-shape on the slope. Relax your upper body, hold the ski pole handles at hip height in front of you, let the poles hang behind you, keep your center of gravity on the inside of your front foot—do not lean back—and spread the tails of both skis into a “V” shape, i.e., a wedge, during the glide. Distribute your hip weight evenly across both skis, rotate your knees and ankles inward to angle the inner edges of both skis against the snow, forming a wedge that digs into the snow to increase resistance, thereby slowing your descent and eventually bringing you to a stop.
How to get on the chairlift (drag lift up):
When using a chairlift (or drag lift) to go uphill, wear all your skiing gear, keep both skis parallel, and stand facing the direction of the lift’s movement. When the lift arrives, use your hand to hook the lift around your waist or clamp it between your legs, then allow it to carry you upward. The lift has some flexibility, so keep your body upright while getting on.
How to get off the chairlift (drag lift down):
Getting off the drag lift involves a safety concern—how to disembark smoothly and ski downhill. Beginners often struggle on sloped areas, sometimes sliding backward down the lift track and colliding with others, or falling in place and blocking the lift. To get off safely, first choose a gentler slope, then open your ski tips into a wedge shape as you exit the lift. Move out of the lift track afterward.