European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 9, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Skills by Janet Nelson the new York times somewhere a Hunch of things every Good skier used to know How to do and took for granted disappeared. These Days it s not surprising  skiers sliding downhill As they try to climb Uphill or rocketing off a bump in the Middle of a Trail or struggling As they push themselves to a lift at the Bottom of a Mountain. Older skiers who began skiing in the 1950s and 60s, Learned How to climb Uphill absorb bumps skate on skis and do a lot of other Maneu vers that easily conquer untoward situations. They had to learn these skills because slopes were not groomed to Pool table flatness lifts were not within easy reach and skis lacked the Power steering that they possess today. Quot there used to be a systematic progression in learning movements on skis Quot said Max Lundberg education director of the professional ski instructors of America. Quot then in the mid 70s, we adapted More gliding movements with the idea of meeting the needs of skiers More directly and quickly. I think now though there s a resurgence in learning things like Side slipping and skating because some of these Basic movements Are really  ski schools do teach some Basic Maneu vers but usually Only As they Are needed to Deal with terrain or Snow conditions. Quot we work on these kinds of skills As the situation arises Quot said Paul Brown a ski school director in Maine Quot but we Don t cover them  whether or not they Are taught in the formalized setting of ski school Many of the skills of the past Are Worth knowing and easy to learn. Quot they help with balance agility and coordination which Are important to parallel turns Quot and other ski Maneu vers said Colorado ski instructor Mike Porter. He offered these tips for learning some forgotten but useful skills. A Side stepping Uphill a skiers often Don t Edge their skis sharply enough to hold without slipping downward. The secret is not taking too Large a step and pushing the Knees into the Hill with each step. Use the poles held about shoulder Width for balance and move them As you move Uphill. Beginners should get the feel of Side stepping on fairly Flat terrain and Progress to steeper inc lines. A Side slipping downhill a knowing this skill can be a Lifesaver with it you can get Down even the steepest Pic h. Basic ally this movement is a controlled downhill skid it c an be straight Down or moving Forward or backward. The Forward Sideslip is the most natural to learn but add straight and backward Side slipping As you Progress. Look for a slope1 that is within your comport zone of steepness but be1 sure that it is either  or convex not c one ave. Standing in a traverse position with the skis edged Roll your Knees downhill and rise1 up slightly to release1 the1 edges. I he1 flatter tlu1 skis art1 on the1 Snow the1 More they will slide downhill but be Sute to keep your head and hips Over your Knees and Leet to prevent the skis trom slipping away. You c an Stop the1 Sideslip by moving your Knees into the Hill to edge1 the1 skis. A skating on skis skating on skis is one of the1 i jest ways to in Pion balance1, which h in turn improves your total skiing. Selec t a that spot where1 it is not c Rowdy d to be t an idea of the range1 of move mint no c ded Tor this Maneule r. Thrust one ski diagonally Forward and a amps Ken George bettor groomed slopes mean Many ski skills Are no longer needed for survival but they remain vital for those who want to become proficient and do More than just get to the Bottom. Move All your weight onto that ski As you project your body Forward. Roll onto the Arch of your Forward foot and push off As you move the other ski diagonally Forward. To keep propelling yourself Forward move 100 percent of your weight from ski to ski and keep moving your body Forward. Be t a rhythm develop As your skill improve s. A Riding bumps a the see ret is to be constantly anticipating changes Reading the terrain and then doing something about w hat you see. When the Hill drops away let your legs act As show k absorbers stay Forward and Teel the pressure of your boots against your shins. Not bending your Kne c s c an result in an inadvertent Aerial jump and staying backward on the Downside of a bump will make1 your skis go faster. A Short hop turns a this skill not Only develops agility and quickness it can also come in Handy when skiing a narrow Section of a Trail or heavy Spring Snow. Practice this on a fairly Flat Hill to get the1 tending of rebounding and to develop a rhythm while traversing push Down to let the skis act As a platform and then rebound lifting both skis e completely off the Snow. Do these hops moving Forward at first and then begin turning the skis let and right Down the fall line