Term
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Definition
| A natural or acquired (learned) talent. |
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Term
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Definition
| Toward the tail of the skis; behind the bindings |
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Term
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Definition
| The capability to move quickly and easily. |
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Term
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Definition
| The positioning of the body so that forces derived from the interaction of the skis on the snow pass through the body's center of mass to produce the intended movement. This is optimized when the skis and boots are selected and/or modified to either complement or correct body movement to enhance strength and predictability of movement. |
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Term
| American Teaching System (ATS) |
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Definition
| The methods, models, and philosophy of teaching skiing as collected, developed, and disseminated by PSIA |
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Term
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Definition
| Laterally tipping and flexing certain parts of the body more than others to form angles between body segments. |
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Term
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Definition
| A mental and/or physical preparation for an upcoming event. In skiing, anticipation is the at of preparing for the next turn. Typically, the upper body will be an anchor for the lower body to turn against, which allows you to create muscular tension in the mid-section of the body. As the tension is released (muscles begin to relax) and let go of the old turn, your legs will realign with the upper body and begin to turn toward the next turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| Reducing the muscular tension and twisting between the upper and lower body during the end of an old turn and the beginning of a new turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| The culmination of an activity of effort; the top of a triangle or similarly shaped object. In skiing, we consider the apex of the turn to be in the fall line of shaping phase of the turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| The process of evaluating student characteristics to determine how to structure individualized, effective lessons. |
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Term
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Definition
| A line about which something rotates. The reference axes for human movement are vertical, sagittal, and frontal |
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Term
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Definition
| Ability to maintain equilibrium. |
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Term
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Definition
| Muscular actions to maintain equilibrium, or the desired alignment, on skis. Balancing movements are one of the skills of the PSIA skills concept. |
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Term
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Definition
| Whole-body tipping, whith the line of action perpendicular to the base of support. Inclination of the entire body without angulation (e.g. skiing against a snow bank or the side-wall of a halfpipe). |
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Term
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Definition
| Devices that attach the ski boots to the skis. |
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Term
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Definition
| Any movement or action that reduces or eliminated movement in a given direction. We typically limit rotation of the upper body by "blocking" with our internal muscles or with an external device, such as a ski pole in the snow. |
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Term
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Definition
| The ability of the ski boot to flex forward when weight or pressure is applied. |
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Term
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Definition
| To knock the ski off its edge as a result of the boot contacting the snow during a turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| A wedge that is used to help slow or stop the skier. Typically, this wedge is wider then a a gliding wedge. |
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Term
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Definition
| Th arch formed when you lay a ski on a flat surface; the middle of a ski lying in this position is higher then the tip and the tail of the ski. |
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Term
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Definition
| The process of making lateral adjustments to skis, bindings, or boots for optimal alignment and effective edging. Canting is typically an exterior addition or subtraction to the equipment. The cuff adjustments that exist on a bi boot are primarily intended for lower leg alignment, not designed for canting purposes. |
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Term
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Definition
| Turns in which the skis travel on edge with minimal lateral slipping or skidding. Pure carved turns leave a clean and round track in the snow. The tails of the skis are on a forward path that follows the tips. The amounts of carving and the size of a pure carved turn is somewhat dependent on the equipment, the conditions, the skier's ability and the skier's intent. |
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Term
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Definition
| A relationship in which the skier is in balance without excessive leaning laterally, forward, or aft. This skier looks aligned over the feet. |
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Term
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Definition
| The theoretical point at which all of the body's mass is considered to the concentrated. |
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Term
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Definition
| Effect of acceleration that makes skiers feel like they are being pulled away from the center of the turn, toward the outside of the turn. This pseudo-force results from forces building in a turn, rather than causing the buildup of forces. |
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Term
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Definition
| The force acting toward the center of rotation, responsible for keeping a turning skier moving along a curved path. |
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Term
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Definition
| A turn in which the skis skid on corresponding edges. |
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Term
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Definition
| Any ski position in the which the tips of the skis are closer together than the tails. Skis converge in a wedge or a stem. |
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Term
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Definition
| The harmonious and precisely controlled use of more than one set of muscle movements to a single end. |
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Term
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Definition
| Inner edge of one ski and the outer edge of the other. Both left edges or both right edges as viewed by the skier, as in a parallel turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| To oppose or to go the opposite way. In skiing, we typically refer to a relationship in which the lower body turns against or opposes the upper body or vice versa. |
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Term
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Definition
| A stance that involves the inside (uphill) half of the body (foot, knee, hip, hand, shoulder)leading the outside (downhill) half of the body through the turn. A countered stance is a natural stance when traversing or turning and can be decreased or increase due to internal or external factors (speed, actions, intentions, etc). |
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Term
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Definition
| Twisting the upper body in one direction and the lower body in another direction at the same time. |
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Term
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Definition
| Moving the body's center of mass (CM) forwardand across the skis. The CM moves from the inside of one turn to the inside of the next turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| Movement of the feet and skis under the body's CM. The feet move from the outside of one turn to the outside of the next turn, leaving the CM inside each turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| Camber is the natural arch that is designed into the ski. To decamber a ski means to bend the ski enough that the camber is momentarily gone, such as results from flexing the ski during a turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| Using terrain/snow conditions to aid in turning the skis. Direction change occurs because snow pushes on the bottoms of the skis. One of the primary turning forces in all skiing. |
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Term
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Definition
| Performing a task or exercise as an example for students. Usually involved highlighting particular movements so that the students can readily see them. |
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Term
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Definition
| Any ski position in which the tails of the skis are closer then the tips of the skis. When a skier skates or walks in a herringbone, the skis are diverging. |
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Term
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Definition
| Taks or exercise that highlights a particular movement or focus on a particular skill. |
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Term
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Definition
| A pushing or brushing of the downhill (outside) ski tail away from the uphill (inside) ski, resulting in converging for the skis. A down stem may be used to create a platform to help stop the old turn, help start the new turn, etc., and if commonly associated with braking and a defensive approach to the new turn. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| Turns with more carving than skidding. Forces creating in the turn are used to benefit the turn or the following turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| The amount to ski tilt relative to the surface of the snow and to the hill. A ski placed flat on the snow has zero degrees of edge angle. |
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Term
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Definition
| Tipping a ski from one edge or set of edges to a new edge or set of edges. This can occur simultaneously (parallel) or sequentially (wedge). |
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Term
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Definition
| A purposeful edge engagement that provides a platform for the next turn. An edge set usually occurs at the end of the turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| Movements that increase or decrease edge angle. Edging movements are one of the skills of the PSIA skills concept. |
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Term
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Definition
| Maximum result or performance with minimal effort. |
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Term
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Definition
| Movement of a body part outward, away from the midline of the body, such as lateral rotation of the foot. Typically, is associated with foot pronation. |
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Term
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Definition
| Situations and tasks created to break down and isolate certain movements and skills for development. Exercises are often combined in a progression. |
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Term
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Definition
| Any movement that increases (i.e. opens) the angles (as expressed in degrees) at a joint. At times the skier extends the knee, hip, and ankle joints simultaneously. |
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Term
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Definition
| The path which a ball would take if you let it roll down the slope; line of least resistance. |
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Term
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Definition
| Information that students receive about their performance that may help clarify directions and actions needed to achieve their goals and desires. Students can get feedback form a person (extrinsic feedback) and from the snow, their skis, and their own observations (intrinsic feedback). |
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Term
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Definition
| Any movement that decrease (i.e. closes) the angle (as expressing degrees) at a joint. Often, this entails bending the knee, hip, and ankle joints simultaneously. |
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Term
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Definition
| The continuous, directed, and uninterrupted guidance of the skiers CM though a series of linked turns. |
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Term
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Definition
| An insert for shows or boot designed to support the foot and/or provide a neutral stance. |
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Term
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Definition
| Transferring weight laterally or diagonally from one foot to the other. |
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Term
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Definition
| An agent or action that produces a change in direction and/or speed of a body's motion. External forces include gravity, air resistance, ski-to-snow friction, pole-to-snow interactions, etc. Internal force is generated by muscle contraction. |
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Term
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Definition
| Toward the tips of the skis. In front of the bindings. |
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Term
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Definition
| Resistance to an object sliding across a surface. A ski sliding on ice experiences less friction than a ski sliding through wet snow. |
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Term
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Definition
| Turns involving the initiation and finishing phases without the shaping or middle phase of the turn. A linked series of such turns that take a skier across the slope without crossing the fall line. |
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Term
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Definition
| Forward sliding of the skis, either in a direct line down the hill or through a turn. The ease and efficiency of gliding may be determined by snow conditions, edge penetration in the snow, base structure of the skis, pressure management, wax, etc. |
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Term
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Definition
| Skiing forward with the ski tips converged to a wedge position. Typically, this wedge is narrower and less edgy than a braking wedge. |
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Term
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Definition
| Actively moving the skis through a turn using subtle muscular movements; directing the path of the skis to respond to terrain and snow conditions. |
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Term
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Definition
| A diverging ski position useful for climbing hills. The skier faces uphill with ski tips pointed at an angle away from each other and walks up the hill on alternating feet while edging to avoid slipping backward. |
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Term
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Definition
| A maneuver in which the skier quickly turns the skis sideways to the direction of travel and set the edges, causing the skis to skid rapidly to a stop. |
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Term
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Definition
| Any type of turn in which the skier hops into the air. Typically, a skier hops with both feet at the initiation phase of the turn, begins a direction change int he air, and lands on new edges to shape and finish the turn. The duration, intensity, rate, and timing of the hop can make turns look very different. |
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Term
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Definition
| Any kind of tipping of a body part relative to the slope. A skier can incline the entire body into the slope (banking) or tip different parts to a different degree (angulation). |
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Term
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Definition
| Each leg complements or supports the movements of the other leg. Walking, sidestepping, herringbone, and skating are examples of independent leg action. |
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Term
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Definition
| Tendency of an object to remain in its current state of motion (or lack or motion) unless acting upon by external forces sufficient to effect a change. |
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Term
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Definition
| Movement of a body part inward, toward the midline of the body, such as medial rotation of the foot. Typically, this is associated with foot supination. |
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Term
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Definition
| A turn in which the inside ski is lifted and its tip crossed over the outside ski while keeping the inside ski suspended though the arc of a turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| DIrected or proceeding toward the side, away from the midline of an object. A person who is standing and steps sideways is moving laterally. |
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Term
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Definition
| Muscular effort of the legs to make the ski turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| The application of pressure in front of or behind the midpoint of the skis. Subtle use of leverage on different parts of the skis can aid turning. |
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Term
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Definition
| The property of an object that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field. The amount of material that an object contains. Mass is commonly but imprecisely use as a synonym for weight. |
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Term
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Definition
| Steering the skis toward a parallel position from either a convergent or divergent position. |
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Term
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Definition
| Product of mass times velocity. Speeding up, slowing down, and turning are all changes in momentum. An external force must be involved to change momentum. |
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Term
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Definition
| The process of assessing a student's ability - the movement patterns and skill blending - and identifying the cause-and-effect relationships. THe instructor analyzes the separate components of the student's movements to determine the focus of the lesson and identify the steps that will produce the desired results. Also known as movement assessment. |
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Term
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Definition
| The relationships between force and motion formulated by Sir Isaac Newton. |
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Term
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Definition
| Terrain not on a prepared slope. |
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Term
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Definition
| Both inner or both outer edges, as viewed by the skier (e.g. a wedge turn) |
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Term
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Definition
| A device that provides support and some correction to a person's foot. An orthotic helps the skier maintain a neutral stance within the ski boots, so that movements can be transferred more quickly and more powerfully from the skier to the ski. Orthotics are typically handmade to fit each foot individually. |
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Term
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Definition
| A turn made on corresponding ski edges with simultaneous edge release and engagement. The skis remain parallel throughout the turn, as opposed to converging or diverging. |
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Term
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Definition
| A relationship between two lines or surfaces such that they meet at a right (90 degree) angle. |
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Term
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Definition
Three phases of a turn:
1. Initiation phase - when the skier prepares for and begins the new turn. An edge change takes place and the weight of the skier is redistributed from the old ski to the new ski.
2. Shaping phase - when the skier guides the skis through the fall line to shape the turn. this skis are mostly pointing downhill in the fall line, which make this the fastest accelerating part of the turn.
3. Finishing phase - when the skier completes the turn and begins to let go of the forces and angles in the old turn to get ready for the new turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| A European term for a slope that is groomed and prepared. |
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Term
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Definition
| Rotating the skis about and axis perpendicular to their base. Pivoting is typically a quick movement performed on flat skis. |
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Term
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Definition
| Reference planes for describing movement. The planes for human movement are frontal, horizontal, and sagittal. |
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Term
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Definition
| Created by setting the edges deeply into the snow, a platform allows the skier to make movements such as stepping, stemming, rebounding, or extending. |
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Term
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Definition
| Movements that involve the ski poles, such as swinging, touching, or planting the poles. Timing, placing, and technique of the pole movements affect rhythm and timing of the turn as well as direction and outcome of body movements. |
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Term
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Definition
| Repetition of movement patterns or other activities designed to develop or refine a skill. Student focus and instructor guidance and feedback are important part of effective practice. |
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Term
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Definition
| The application of force across a surface. The force of your weight is distributed though your feet as pressure when standing on a flat surface. |
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Term
| pressure control movements |
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Definition
| Movements that may affect pressure on the skis. Pressure control is one of the skills of the PSIA skills concept. Pressure control and manipulation is achieved though leverage, flexion, extension, redistribution of weight from foot to foot, increase and decreasing edge angle, muscle tension, changing turn shape and size, etc. |
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Term
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Definition
| Directing pressure from one ski to the other ski or along the length of the skis. |
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Term
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Definition
| The recoil or springing back of a decambered ski. When a skier bends the skis though the turn (i.e. decambering) and then releases the pressure and forces, the skis can rebound and create a snappy linkage from turn to turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| A type of unweighting cause by the rebound skis lifting the skier off the snow. |
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Term
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Definition
| A force that hinders motion. Friction between skis and snow creates resistance. Wind or airflow across a skier's body also creates resistance. |
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Term
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Definition
| Pulling the legs up under the body (active retraction ) or allowing the terrain to push the legs up under the body (passive retraction). |
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Term
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Definition
| The condition in which a ski is bent the opposite direction from its natural camber. When you bend the ski through a turn, you have removed the natural arch built into the middle of the ski. |
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Term
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Definition
| Using appropriate methods and procedures to reduce risk to customers, guests, and employees at a resort. Instructors, hill employees, management personnel, and volunteers work together to implement area risk management policies. |
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Term
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Definition
| Movements that increase, limit, or decrease rotation of the skis. Rotary movements are one of the skills of the PSIA skills concept. |
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Term
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Definition
| The use of muscular force to project (push) off one or both feet to create rotary movement. Generally associated with stemming and stepping, as in stem turns, sequential leg rotation, and step turns. |
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Term
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Definition
| A circular motion about an axis |
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Term
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Definition
| A non-simultaneous rotation of the legs such that one leg is used as a platform against which the opposite leg is rotated. Stem turns and step turns are examples |
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Term
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Definition
| Skis with lots of sidecut. The term was originally used to delineate these models from straighter (more conventional) models of the day. Over a period of a few years in the 1990's, shaped skis came to be the norm and represent the bulk of ski sales. Future technological advances could change this in unforeseeable ways. |
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Term
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Definition
| Refers to the hourglass shape of a ski. A ski is wider at the tip and tail and narrower at the waist. |
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Term
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Definition
| A method of moving down the hill with the skis perpendicular (across) the fall line. |
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Term
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Definition
| A method of moving up the hill. While the skis are across the fall line, the skier steps up the hill one ski at a time. |
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Term
| simultaneous leg rotation |
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Definition
| Rotation of both legs at the same time. Hop turns and parallel turns display simultaneous leg rotation |
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Term
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Definition
| A method of propulsion in which the skier presses from foot to foot while keeping the skis in a diverging position. The inside edges of the weighted ski is engaged as the skier moves forward. |
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Term
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Definition
| A combination of sliding and slipping as the skis move forward through a turn. THis occurs on a ski that is not carving. |
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Term
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Definition
| A learned movement that is controlled, coordinated and efficient. |
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Term
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Definition
| Combing basic skills to create an overall performance. Expert skiers and riders integrate skills depending on the situation or maneuver. Instructors can evaluate students on their ability to blend and apply skills in a variety of situations. |
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Term
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Definition
| PSIA's basis for discussing skiing movements and skillful skiing. The skills concept provides ski instructors with a base from which to evaluate, prioritize, and develop student performances. The theory that all skiing movements can be categorized into four major headings: balance, edge control movements, rotary movements, and pressure control movements. |
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Term
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Definition
| Forward movement of the skis. When you are in a straight run, with the skis pointing straight down the hill, you are sliding |
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Term
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Definition
| Movement of the skis sideways. Slipping can occur with the skis across the fall line or in a turn |
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Term
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Definition
classifications of snow
powder - snow that is light, dry and fluffy
packed powder - snow that is compressed or groomed
corn - pellet sized particles that have formed from repetitive thawing, refreezing, and recrystallization
crud - settling snow that is cut up by skiers
wind-crust - snow with a wind compacted top layer
cement - uncompacted, heavy snow with a high moisture content
ice - snow that has become very dense and hard |
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Term
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Definition
| A tight, quick hop- turn, starting and finishing across the fall line (i.e. a 180-degree hop to an edge set) |
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Term
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Definition
| The way a skier aligns his or her skeletal structure on the skis. One of the most basic indicators of performance at all levels of skiing, stance affects the application and blending of skills. The stacking of body segments is often best observed from the side. |
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Term
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Definition
| Using muscular movements to aid the skis through the turn. Steering allows you to sctively direct the path of the skis while responding to terrain and snow conditions. |
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Term
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Definition
| The displacement of one ski to a position convergent with the weighted ski. One result of stemming is that the skis are on opposing (or inside) edges |
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Term
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Definition
| Turns initiated by stemming the ski. The skier creates a platform with the downhill ski then steps, smears, slides, or places the uphill ski into the new turn. After stemming, the skier transfers weight to that ski to start the turn and then brings the other ski to a parallel position. May include a down stem. |
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Term
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Definition
| Turns in which the skier maintains the downhill ski as a platform and step the uphill ski into a convergent, diverging, or parallel position. |
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Term
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Definition
| A ski run directly down the fall line with the skis in a parallel position. |
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Term
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Definition
| Methods used to gain a desired objective. Tactics involve planning, applying a particular method, and customizing an approach to a specific situation. |
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Term
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Definition
| An assigned activity that focuses on specific instructions, goals, movements, or skills |
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Term
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Definition
| A movement option for accomplishing a given goal |
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Term
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Definition
| A position or turn on nordic skis in which the skier's feet are separated longitudinally, with the rear foot bent toward the ski and the read heel lifted off the ski. The position resembles a genuflect or curtsy. |
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Term
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Definition
| To ski across the slope in a horizontal or diagonal path |
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Term
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Definition
| The shape that skis leave in the snow during a turn. Your signature on the snow. Turns might take a variety of shapes, such a C, S, J or Z |
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Term
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Definition
Taking varying amounts of weight off the skis to manipulate and control pressure. Four types of unweighting are used in skiing:
1. up-unweighting, produced at the end of a the turn by a rapid upward extension of the body
2. down-unweighting, produced by a rapid downward flexion of the body
3. terrain-unweighting, produced by using the terrain to help unweight the skis
4. rebound-unweighting, produced by the skis decambering and retuning the energy at the end of a turn. |
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Term
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Definition
| A position in which the skis are converging so that the tips are closer together than the tails and the skis are on opposing edges |
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Term
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Definition
| A turn with the skis in a wedge (converging) position |
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Term
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Definition
| A shifting of the weight from one ski to the other, from both skis to one ski, or from one ski to both skis |
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Term
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Definition
| Parallel turns in which the skis are at least hip-width apart and leave a wide track in the snow. |
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Term
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Definition
A code that sets forth the responsibility of each participant for safe conduct on the slopes and lifts. the code comprises 7 points and is a partial list of safe conduct, with the message to always be safety conscious.
1. Always stay in control.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way.
3. Stop in a safe place for you and others.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield
5. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
7. Know how to use the lifts safely. |
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