STEP LEVEL 1

First time skier  

·    Sidestepping

·    In and out of bindings

·    Ski under a pole

·    Straight running  

·    Braking snowplow

·    Use of ski lifts

·    Linking four turns – 2 hands on outside of knee 

STEP LEVEL 2

Linking wedge turns on beginner and novice terrain  

·    Tap inside ski on snow while turning

·    Diagonal side-slip

·    Drag both poles while turning  

·    Ski around poles

·    Link turns with skis parallel at the end of each turn  

STEP LEVEL 3

Skis are becoming parallel at end of wedge turns on beginner and novice terrain

The skier now uses blue slopes with ease, but must very often vary their rhythm and radius in the steep sections of the slopes.  They are pivoting fairly well, their skis stay parallel throughout the turn.  

To have skis parallel earlier, achieve skidded arc with skis parallel, develop confidence on green runs.  (green & easy blue slopes)  

·    Weight on downhill ski

·    Lift uphill ski inside the turn

·    Christie uphill from a wedge

·    Christie uphills (both directions)  

·    Christie garland

·    Traverse exercise with downhill pole plant synchronized with flexion-extension  

STEP LEVEL 4

Last half of turns completed with skis parallel; on green slopes, novice or intermediate terrain  

Our skier now develops synchronization and coordination skills.  With a slight edging and pressure control they can steer their skis more efficiently limiting the side slipping on blue slopes.  Their pole plant may not always be synchronized.  

·    Lifting inside ski off snow from midpart of the turn to the end

·    Traverse, rolling both knees uphill

·    Do an uphill Christie with increased edge control  

·    Hop Christie

·    Delay turn

·    Six rhythmical turns

·    Start turns with pole plant  

STEP LEVEL 5

Skiing intermediate runs with rhythm and edge control using slight wedge  

The skier has a good rhythm, synchronization and controls the counter-rotation.  The main difference with the previous level is the rhythm.  Good skier on blue slopes.  They now try to master black slopes and bumpy terrain.  

To improve style and to have skis parallel consistently.  Execute long and medium turns on intermediate terrain. (blue slopes)  

·    Diagonal side slip exercise

·    Downhill stop (blue)

·    Braquage (gorilla turns)

·    “Javelins” (snowplow opening) (green)  

·    Turns with multiple flexions

·    “Speiss” exercise (blue)

·    Lift inside ski during six turns

·    Six linked turns with pole plant

·    Pole coordination exercise  

STEP LEVEL 6

Consistently ski parallel on blue slopes with control  

The increase of edging and the speed help them use steeper slopes.  They execute short radius turns and controls their speed.  They enjoy bumps more and more.  They have a tendency to lose control and confidence when the speed increases.  

Execute short turns on intermediate terrain working on rhythm and coordination (blue slopes)

·    Braquage with pole plant

·    Rhythmical power plow exercise

·    Speiss exercise  

·    Stop Christie

·    Short turns, holding poles in the middle

·    Turning on top of bumps  

STEP LEVEL 7

Rhythmical skiing on intermediate slopes  

Demonstrations seem to be much easier to execute.  The skier has good abilities to control pivoting, edge and pressure control.  They are more and more at ease in bumpy terrains and starts keeping a preset line.

Develop edge control, with inclination and angulation, and develop rhythmical parallel turns on intermediate terrain (blue & black slopes)  

·    Step turns

·    Many “Hops” in each turns

·    “Roller-blade” turns

·    1000 steps  

·    Traversing in the bumps

·    Christie garlands

·    Skating exercise

·    Six short radius turns  

STEP LEVEL 8

Short turns and parallel turns on advanced runs  

The skier skis very often each year.  They are comfortable on every terrain under any snow conditions.  However in bumpy and very steep slopes, their movements lack fluidity.  

Improve ski performance by working on terrain and snow adaptation (gates and bumps) (black slopes) 

·    Power plow exercise (black)

·    Speiss exercise

·    Basic parallel, turning on the top of bumps on blue slopes  

·    Basket in movement

·    Javelin turns

·    Six turns on one ski

·    Ten gates GS on blue slopes