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"SKIING
IS A SLIDING SPORT":
Tactics for Terrains and Snow Textures--Skiing Narrow Trails
by Bill Jones, Ski
Instructor
Certified Professional Ski Instructor (Registration #110478)
Narrow ski trails where there is not width enough for the classic round ski
turn are sometimes encountered where less steep routes are cut through the
forest to avoid steeper slopes or as runouts below open bowls. At times they may
be no more than skinny paths winding among trees. And they may follow valley
bottoms along snow-filled streams, adding to the challenge..
Speed management and continual turning in these situations are musts, lest
one fly off the side of the trail into a tree or over a bank or go somewhere
else you don't want to at a speed you don't want..
The tactic to emphasize in these situations is turning by leg steering with
lots of skidding to tighten arcs of turns and manage speed with the friction
generated. Sometimes there will not be room or time enough for turns, and then
lengthy sideslipping or forward sideslipping are good choices. And keep watching
for others who might not manage their speed and turning as well as you, or maybe
just want to pass--let them and then they will be out of the way.
With good tactics, narrow trails can be pleasing pathways, providing more
intimate looks inside the winter woods than the expansive vistas that may be
seen on the more typical open ski slopes. One might even encounter
non-hibernating tree squirrels, rabbits, or even an ermine. Snow-draped trees
may remind of a scene Walt Disney might have created, and if along a stream,
patches of open water may gurgle at you with dashing white water that then
disappears below the white blanket.
A final word: Eventually, after selecting the
tactic to apply, you must "Point the skis down the hill; let them buck; the
mountain will teach you!"
Contents of "TACTICS FOR TERRAINS and SNOW
TEXTURES":
Overview
Skiing Groomed Snow
Skiing Hard Snow/Ice
Skiing Gates/Racing
Skiing Among Trees
Skiing Narrow trails--you are here
Skiing Moguls
Skiing Powder Snow
Skiing Cold Snow-Warm Snow/New Snow-Old Snow
Skiing "Spring" Snow
Skiing Steeps
"SKIING
IS A SLIDING SPORT"--a skiing web manual: Skiing
Web
Manual Contents Why Read
This Skiing Web Manual That
First Lesson A
Little Skiing History A Little Skiing History Motion
inSkiing
Conventional Skiing Wisdoms
Skier Excuses Fear
in Skiing
Conditioning for Skiing How Skis
Work
Equipment and Technique
Skiing Equipment
How
to Develop Balance on Skis
A Skiing
Turn Simplified TACTICS FOR TERRAINS and SNOW
TEXTURES
Skiing Tips and Tales--a potpourri
Children
and Skiing
Age and Skiing
Gender & Skiing
Culture & Skiing
Skiing Ethics and Slope Survival Slope Safety Skiing
Environment Glossary Acknowledgements
SkiMyBest Website Contents
This "Skiing Narrow Trails" page last modified
12/10/2008: \SkiMyBest\skinartr.htm.
Copyright © 2010 William R Jones.
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