By Vera Polyakova

On January 30, two groups of XC skiers completed the 2011 Beginner Series. The Series were held for three consecutive Sundays at different resorts and had one instructor for all three sessions. Some people had skied a few times before, for others it was their first time on skis. 

Goals

We had three main objectives:

·        Ensure students’ safety on the trails

·        Quickly elevate their skill level from “beginners” to “confident skiers”, and

·        Make sure they look good while skiing!

What we learned

Clothing. First we started with clothing.  Everyone was overdressed, so we peeled at least one layer off every skier.  We discussed dressing in layers and types of material of ski clothing.  The advantage of having a thin smooth outer layer is that snow does not cling to it and no one knows that you fell. The instructor also demonstrated “lobster-claw” gloves used in cold weather and how to fish out a small item from her fanny pack while wearing them – that took time and was funny. Everyone was advised to wear protective (and cool) sunglasses, as well as using sunscreen. 

Getting up after a fall. Most students needed to start by learning how to get up after a fall.  That was fun, as we mastered getting up from “demure sideway sit down”, “pretzel” and a full “face plant”. At one point everyone was on all fours – that was a sight, and skiers passing by wondered about us. We progressed by learning how to get up in the middle of a steep slope (tripod).  Needless to say, everyone got a lot of practice.

Hill work.  A large portion of the Series was dedicated to the uphill and downhill techniques.  First we had to pass the stage of closing eyes and bombing down the hill screaming OMG!  We practiced speed control by having a contest “who can ski down the hill the slowest?” As their skills improved and students got used to gliding fast comfortably (without screaming OMG!!!), controlling their downhill speed and stopping by other means than falling, we quickly moved on.

Things became more interesting. We learned to confidently ski down the intermediate hills in track (without screaming OMG!), coolly using one ski out of track to control speed (half-plow). On steeper hills there was more fun as we tried avoiding obstacles (fallen comrades) using snow plow turns and the “emergency stop”.  Of course the important part here was learning to go up the hill without sliding back. 
 

Skiing on flat areas.  At this stage our main objective was to look cool while doing the diagonal stride.  Everyone was advised to forget what grandma had taught them, namely good posture, and to start slouching. We reviewed several skiing techniques and rated them for coolness. “Bicycling” and the “Frankenstein walk” were rejected as not cool, as were making small quick steps and stabbing poles into the ground. “Swagger” and long glide with dragging poles were rated highly.

As we learned balance and synchronous movement of arms and legs (much like walking but for some reason very difficult), it became clear that those who sang while skiing had the best technique. We discovered that “Mambo Number Five” and “Single Ladies” worked really well.

How did it all end?

At the end of the Series the students were very proud of their accomplishments. They climbed up and safely skied down the steeper hills. At Highland Nordic they successfully and safely skied up and down the escarpment. 

The diagonal stride became more coordinated and rhythmical. At the last session at Hardwood Hills the students even tried the fancy footwork of step turns. They looked much cooler than when they began!

Mission accomplished – the participants in this year’s Beginner Series became confident and cool-looking skiers. Last but not least, we all made new friends!