Balance on skis. (Training & Technique).

Common wisdom has it that there is no free lunch, but that's not entirely true for the skier, at least in a metaphorical sense. Out on the ski trails, the freebie is called glide. To glide without a hill to slide down, you need the ability to balance on one ski at a time while continuously moving forward from ski to ski. Allowing your momentum to carry you forward from one ski to the other is what makes gliding on skis easy, relaxed and enjoyable.

The Basics

Of course, even this lunch isn't really free. To enjoy it you need skis that glide, and the dynamic balance that gives you confidence to continuously "fall" from ski to ski. Some skis are called waxless; they are designed to grip the snow without application of grip wax. Other skis require wax. Regardless of whether you use waxless or waxable skis, you must maintain the bases of your skis for glide. With waxed skis, the glide wax must be suitable for the snow conditions.

If you own waxless skis, try a pair of waxable skis on a day when it is below freezing. Make sure they are properly waxed for glide and grip, and see what you think. When you use waxless skis, be sure to treat the pattern with some sort of paste wax or liquid to prevent snow from sticking. Apply it before setting your skis onto the snow.

Once you have skis with adequate grip that glide well, you are ready to learn to glide. Remember the duck walk from the last issue (Cross Country Skier, October 2002)? That stilted waddle brings your weight forward before your heel hits the ground, …