The Instep – Making the Most of Every Moment to Improve

Valerio Malfatto suggests mentally focusing on the insteps of the feet, visualising them and moving them to the right and left while putting both skis on edge simultaneously.

To reinforce this action, we can imagine having two small arrows on the insteps of our feet, pointing in the direction of the ski tips. As we tilt our feet and ankles, they will point towards the inside of the turn and can be directed into the snow, increasing the skis’ inclination and consequently their deformation.

With these pointers, we can perform a series of consecutive turns from one side of the trail to the other and enjoy these changes of direction while carving, feeling the skis’ deformation beneath our feet and the creation of trajectories that we can manage as we please, with great ease and satisfaction ...

... Provided we remember to alternate the load from outside ski to outside ski on every turn, recalling that alternation of balance that Valerio discussed in a previous instalment, pointing out that it is the basic rule on which everything else is built.

From tomorrow onwards, then, let’s no longer thoughtlessly waste sections of slope that could be put to good use through enjoyable exercises... and let’s take up Jam Session’s invitation to always stay focused! Enough said ...