Crossover: Starting the Turns

You most likely have problems initiating your turns. Your turns are probably choppy and don't have the smooth flow and polish of the pro skier. The trick is simply a combination of cross-over and cross-under. The cross-over is simply taking the upper body and crossing it over the front of the skis at the finish of the turn. The move is a subtle one, it takes only a few inches of movement, but it unweights the ski for that crucial second allowing the start the next turn. The movement is forward and toward the new turn center. In other words, it involves taking the center of mass (which is around the pelvis) and moving it from inside of the turn over the skis and toward the downhill side, while at the same time rolling the skis over onto the new inside edges. It's as easy as that. Think of the body as always moving in a straighter line than the skis.

After the rise of extension (as described in the flexion and extension chapter) simply push off the uphill leg to straighten it. As the stance gets taller, bring the pelvis, then the chest and finally the chin up to a proud position. This will put the center of body mass over the top of the skis and in a forward position. This crossover movement will make it easier to steer the skis downhill.

The open door technique

The open door technique is a great way to teach the feeling of the crossover initiation. While standing in the static position with the skis perpendicular to the fall line or across the hill, place the poles in the bullfighter position or like a doorway facing the bottom of the hill. The feeling of the crossover can be achieved by extending off the uphill leg and moving into the doorway created by the poles.

The crossover move is intimidating as it involves throwing the natural fear instinct of staying behind the ski out the window. It is at this point that most intermediates find themselves stuck. They simply will not make the commitment to getting forward and stepping out of their comfort zone. Until the crossover is mastered, the smooth flowing style of the expert will never be achieved.

Alpine Skiing School section in english version of WWW.SKI.BG is based on
"A Guide To Becoming An Expert: From First Time To A Lifetime"
by John Mukavitz Copyright © 1998