“With these essentials in place, the rest of the mountain will start to open up for you. Explore! Try new terrain. Look for easy bumps. Find a fun race course. Sneak into some nicely spaced trees. Nibble away at new types of snow and different conditions. Try getting off the groomers and into untracked snow. Seek out the silky powder!”
“Supporting themselves with poles as they ski is also called ‘spidering‘. If they are using their poles like crutches, then just ski some more without ’em and focus on balance.”
“Using ski poles might seem awkward at first. Make sure the poles are helping and not hindering your balance. If it’s more fun skiing without poles, then just ski without ’em. Fun is more important than poles.”
“Keep that hand on the steering wheel and just swing the basket forward using your wrists. Gently tap it down toward the turn on the inside swoop near your downhill skis. Ski past the tap mark, keeping your hands forward, and let the basket trail behind.”
“The pole tapping should happen along with your turns. Try this for the first time on easy terrain. When you ease into the turn, it’s the downhill hand that does the tapping.”
“The next step is to try what everyone calls the pole plant, though that’s a crummy name because all you’re really doing is just touching or tapping. It’s a quick gentle motion. The tap should go ping and not thud!”
“The first step is just holding ’em while you’re skiing, without even worrying about tapping the snow. Just like always, keep your hands up front on the steering wheel. No need to hold them up way up high, the poles can skitter on the snow as you ski.”
