Ski TechniqueIntermediate ski course
For safe skiing while maintaining speed control in the connection between one curve and another, let's learn the diagonal!
Wednesday 26 January 2022 3 minutes reading time
Mastering the diagonal allows us to cross the slope without picking up speed between one curve and another, increasing the safety and stability of skiing regardless of the slope of the slope and the condition of the snow.
In detail the right sequence for the perfect diagonal:
First of all, you have to complete each bend well until you almost go back uphill in order to start crossing the slope on a line that can guarantee us the right speed, therefore neither too steep nor too flat.
In the diagonal, the feet are inclined towards the mountain to ensure edge grip and the shoulders rest on the foot that is downstream. In this way we maintain balance at best. The upstream leg is relaxed, while the downstream leg supports the weight of the body with a solid foot and ankle in keeping the edge active for crossing the slope without losing altitude.
At the end of the diagonal, to make the curve, we release the edge grip, relieving tension on the feet and ankles; let the skis "drop" towards the valley until the maximum slope, after which it will be easy to close the curve by being supported by the external foot until the end of the curve and return diagonally.
That's all for this lesson, the next step is to see all the exercises that can be done with the diagonal that are useful for skiers of all levels.
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