Drylands 2
The HWS ski progression
From never-ever to chairlift
- Boots
- One Ski
- Two Ski
- Wedge
- Straight run
- J-Turn
- C-Turn
- S-Turn
A note
Each part of the progression should be tailored to your students CAP, and you should practice each part of BERP in each lesson.
Boots
Have your groms (tiny child) put on their boots
- practice athletic stance
Athletic Stance (Princess Power Pose)
note: Feet should be shoulder width apart, with both feet facing forward. Weight is out over the balls of your feet so that your shins are applying pressure to the front of your boots. Your ankles, knees, and hips should be bent as well. Your hands should also be out in front of you. Your shoulders knees and toes should all be in line with each other.
The importance of this stance cannot be overstated; any style or habit that negatively impacts the elements of an athletic stance will have a negative impacts on the skier’s ability to move effectively.
One Ski
Put on one ski
- Teach them the parts of a ski, and how to put the ski on
- Practice BERP movements on one ski with different games/activities
- Make sure to practice falling and standing back up
- Make sure to switch feet so they can practice using a ski on both feet
Two ski
Put on two skis
- It is very important to make sure they can get up using two skis, this is often difficult for younger students
- Teach about the Fall Line
- Teach how to crab walk
Straight Run
Crab walk up the hill and go straight down.
Wedge
Wedge change up and wedge to stop
- Teach your students how to do a wedge stance on flat ground
- Practice wedge change ups: Pizza to French Fries
- The angle the edge meets the snow is proportional to how much stopping force their is
J-Turn
- A J-Turn is…
- A turn that looks like a J!
- Start facing down the fall line and end perpendicular
- To turn students must be in a wedge and put pressure on the outside leg
- Students need to learn how to turn in both directions
C-Turn
- A C turn is…
- A turn that looks like a C!
- They are similar to J-Turns, but the turn starts and ends perpendicular to the fall line
S-Turn
- An S-Turn is…
- Two C-Turns together!
- When students switch directions they also have to switch the ski that they apply pressure to
- A great way to practice these are by setting up an obstacle course with your poles
Chairlift!
After your students have proven that they can do all of that. You can take them on their first chairlift ride!