When you get to the intermediate level with skiing, you’re tackling the fresh powder with more confidence. It’s absolutely a great feeling, and you should feel good about the potential to improve your skills even more as you continue to learn and develop new ones. Below, the Mammoth ski rental pros at ASO Mammoth offer five tips for intermediate skiers that can help you accomplish these goals in a safe, productive way.
1. Stick to Familiar Terrain
It’s tempting to move on to more challenging terrain to try out new techniques you’re learning. However, you’ll be safer if you practice on terrain you’re already familiar with until you get comfortable with what you’re working on. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go out of your comfort zone at times. But you’ll be safer and more successful at achieving your goals if you find a balance between the familiar and the new as you move to a more advanced level with skiing.
2. Break the Habit of Leaning Too Far Backward
Practically every skier has made this mistake at one time or another. While it’s natural to lean backward as you go downhill to fight gravity, you’re actually not doing yourself any favors. Instead, learn how to put more pressure on the front of your skis to gain more control and balance. Signs you’re leaning too far backward when going downhill include:
• Frequent falls
• Pain in your shin area from where your heels push against your boots
• Having difficulty sliding your skis through a turn
3. Separate Movements at Your Hips
If you look at really experienced skiers, you’ll notice their upper bodies are usually pretty much entirely vertical as their shoulders are kept perpendicular to the fall line. What they’re doing is making most of the required movements with their lower bodies. This is a skill achieved by separating your lower body movements at your hips. As you work on this, you should notice improvements in traction and control.
4. Get More Leverage from Your Ski Poles
Since you’re at the intermediate level, you likely have a pretty good understanding of the basics of skiing. This is a perfect time to work on gaining more leverage with your ski poles. One way to do this is to get into the habit of holding your poles up and out in front of your body. Also, plant your poles at the end of each turn on the side where you’ll be turning. These are habits that also help you develop a better forward-leaning posture as you ski.
5. Don’t Shy Away from More Lessons
Finally, don’t assume ski lessons are only for beginners. Once you’re at the intermediate level, you’re in a great position to learn some more advanced skills from an experienced instructor. What ski lessons can also do for you as an intermediate skier is teach you more about proper technique and form. You’ll also get personalized advice about any habits you’re starting to develop that you may want to change to ski better.
Skiers of every skill level can have a blast on the slopes when they make sure to start off with the right gear. Whether they need to buy jackets, get boots fitted, or rent skis, Mammoth visitors can rely on ASO Mammoth for high-quality service and great advice from snow sports experts. Drop by our shop or give us a call at 760-965-3444.