Skiing is an exhilarating and rewarding sport that requires balance, coordination, and technique. Whether you’re navigating a gentle slope or a steep incline, learning the fundamental techniques of skiing is key to having a successful experience on the slopes. One of the most important skills every skier needs to master is the side step.
Side step skiing is a basic yet essential maneuver that allows skiers to move across slopes, climb inclines, and adjust their position in challenging terrain. It’s especially useful for beginners or anyone learning to ski in areas where the terrain may not be perfectly smooth or steep.
In this article, we will explore how to teach side step skiing in a way that’s simple to understand and easy to practice. From the basics of what side stepping is, to how to correctly teach it to others, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this fundamental technique. Whether you’re an instructor looking for a method to teach your students or a skier wanting to improve your own technique, this guide will give you the knowledge and confidence to master side step skiing.
What Is Side Step Skiing?
Before delving into the technique itself, it’s essential to understand what side step skiing is. Essentially, side stepping is a technique used to move sideways on a slope. This movement is done by lifting each ski in a series of small steps and placing it at a diagonal angle to the slope. It’s a skill used both for ascending mild inclines and maneuvering across flat or slightly sloped terrain.
Side step skiing is a crucial maneuver because it allows skiers to navigate terrain that may be too steep for straight skiing or too uneven for more advanced techniques. It’s also an excellent skill for skiers to have when needing to adjust their position on the hill or traverse short distances on difficult terrain.
For beginners, mastering side step skiing is an important first step in becoming more confident on the slopes and improving overall ski control.
Key Benefits of Side Step Skiing
While side step skiing might seem like a simple movement, it has several key benefits, especially for beginners:
Improved Balance: Side stepping encourages a steady, controlled movement that improves overall balance. It helps skiers feel more secure when navigating less predictable terrain.
Control on Steep Slopes: When skiing on slopes that are too steep for comfortable skiing, side stepping gives skiers a method to progress without feeling out of control.
Enhanced Coordination: It teaches coordination between the skis, poles, and body. Side stepping requires the skier to use their whole body, making it an excellent exercise for improving coordination.
Versatility on Slopes: Whether moving across a flat area, adjusting position on a hill, or climbing a mild incline, side stepping provides skiers with a versatile technique to handle various situations on the slopes.
Confidence Building: For beginners, learning to side step builds confidence, as it provides a way to control movement, stay in balance, and feel more comfortable navigating the slopes.
How to Perform Side Step Skiing: Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that we’ve covered what side step skiing is and its benefits, let’s walk through how to perform the technique. The side step is performed by lifting your skis in small, controlled steps and placing them sideways on the slope. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Start in a Stable Position
Before side stepping, ensure you’re in a stable and comfortable position on the slope. Stand with your skis in a parallel stance, and slightly bend your knees to lower your center of gravity. Keep your arms out and ready to use your ski poles for balance and support.
Foot placement: Ensure that your skis are flat on the snow and slightly apart, shoulder-width apart, so you maintain balance.
Body posture: Keep your torso upright, and lean slightly forward to engage your core muscles. This will help you maintain control while performing the side step.
Step 2: Lift and Move One Ski at a Time
Now that you’re ready, it’s time to lift and move your skis. Start by lifting one ski, keeping it parallel to the other ski. Then place it diagonally to the slope, with the inside edge of the ski pointing towards the hill.
Lift the first ski: Slightly bend your knee to lift your ski off the snow. This should be a small lift—don’t raise it too high or too forcefully.
Place the ski: Place the ski on the snow with its edges facing the slope at an angle. This allows the ski to grip the snow and stop you from sliding downhill.
Step 3: Move the Second Ski
Once you’ve placed the first ski, repeat the same process with the other ski. Lift it off the snow and place it diagonally across the slope next to the first ski. Keep the second ski in line with the first ski, ensuring that both skis are placed in a consistent diagonal pattern to the slope.
Consistency: Both skis should follow the same path to maintain smoothness in your movement. The skis should move in tandem, with one ski following the other in a continuous manner.
Step 4: Repeat the Movement
To move across the slope, continue lifting and placing your skis one after the other. Each step should be deliberate and controlled, keeping your skis angled to the slope and your weight centered.
Pacing: Start slowly, especially when you’re first learning the technique. As you get more comfortable with the movement, you can increase your speed, but always maintain control.
Step 5: Use Poles for Balance and Support
While side stepping, your poles play an important role in maintaining balance. Use your poles to help you push off the snow as you move, especially on steeper terrain.
Pole placement: Plant one pole in front of you as you move, using it as leverage to push your body forward.
Push with your poles: As you side step with each ski, push with the opposite pole to help propel yourself across the slope.
This will give you more control and power, especially when moving uphill.
Step 6: Adjust Your Speed and Movement
As you practice, you’ll begin to adjust your speed and control. When moving up a mild incline, you may need to slow down the side step to conserve energy and avoid sliding backward. On flat terrain, the side step can be faster, but always maintain control of your skis and body.
Monitor your body position: Make sure you’re not leaning too far forward or backward. Keep your body weight balanced over your skis to avoid falling.
How to Teach Side Step Skiing to Beginners
Teaching side step skiing to beginners involves breaking down the technique into simple steps and offering consistent encouragement. Here’s a structured approach to teaching side step skiing:
1. Start with a Flat Surface
Before taking beginners onto a slope, have them practice side stepping on flat snow. This will allow them to get comfortable with the motion of lifting and placing the skis without the added challenge of a slope.
2. Break Down the Movements
As you explain side stepping, emphasize the importance of moving one ski at a time. This helps beginners focus on one action before moving onto the next. Explain that side stepping requires both upper and lower body coordination, so they need to move deliberately.
3. Use Visual and Verbal Cues
Encourage beginners to focus on their foot placement and body posture. Use verbal cues like “keep your knees bent” or “lift your ski, place it diagonally,” and demonstrate the movement yourself to give them a clear visual reference.
4. Offer Encouragement and Feedback
Learning the side step can be tricky at first, so it’s important to provide plenty of feedback and encouragement. Remind beginners to keep their body weight balanced and to move at a comfortable pace. Offer specific feedback on their form, such as “try lifting your ski higher” or “make sure your ski edges face the slope.”
5. Gradually Introduce Slopes
Once your students are comfortable with the side step on flat terrain, introduce them to mild inclines. Start with easy, low-grade slopes and guide them through the same side step technique. Encourage them to take their time and focus on maintaining balance and control.
6. Practice with Poles
Once beginners are comfortable with the basic side step technique, introduce the use of ski poles. Show them how to plant their poles in sync with their side step and push with their poles to help maintain momentum.
Tips for Mastering Side Step Skiing
Practice Regularly: Side step skiing may seem awkward at first, but practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the more natural the movement will become.
Keep Your Body Relaxed: Tension can interfere with your ability to side step effectively. Try to keep your body relaxed and fluid as you move.
Focus on Smooth Movements: Aim for smooth, controlled side steps rather than jerky, quick movements. This will help you conserve energy and prevent fatigue.
Conclusion
Side step skiing is an essential skill for all skiers to master, particularly for beginners. It allows skiers to navigate difficult terrain, ascend mild slopes, and maintain control over their movements on the hill. By breaking down the technique into simple steps and offering encouragement, you can help skiers of all levels improve their side step skiing abilities.