Dave Jacobson
Ski Instructor Dave
PSIA Level II Certified
USSA Alpine Coach
USSA Alpine Official
Things to Know Before Skiing
Things to Know Before Skiing
WELCOME TO
Alpine Skiing! It's all about having Fun!
WELCOME TO
Alpine Skiing! It's all about having Fun!
Clothing
I dress in layers, starting with a tee shirt over which I wear a light weight zip collar layer to unzip as I get warmer with activity or warmer weather. In cold weather, I'll wear another medium weight jacket that can be taken off if needed. A water resistant coat is great if you have one, if not a warm winter jacket works just fine. I wear light weight long johns under my ski pants, and have knee high ski socks that are light weight and pull over my long johns. Do not wear more than one pair of socks, since tight or lumpy boots are uncomfortable.
Important Ski Gear
Make sure to either buy or rent a ski helmet. Also, when hands are cold skiing is a miserable sport. Invest in a warm pair of gloves, but make sure they are not so bulky that they are hard to close around your ski pole grips. Goggles look cool, but can wait until you decide to become a skier. I wear sunglasses most days, since goggles tend to steam up on me. When you put on your boots, make sure not to tuck any clothing inside the boots, and then pull your pants down over the boots. And yes, boots will feel alien at first...your instructor will explain why when you head out for your lesson.
Skiing is a fun, safe and memorable event!
Skiing is a fun, safe and memorable event!
Whether you are first time skiers or skiers looking to advance to the next level...safety is always my first priority. First time skiers will feel comfortable at all times since I never ask a student to do anything they are not ready to attempt. The process starts on the flat ground without skis on at all...then one ski is added, and the magic of sliding on skis begins! Our beginner lifts, called magic carpets, are easy to ride and service only beginner terrain with slight inclines needed to make gravity move you downhill, but at speeds that you will find comfortable, fun, and exhilarating!
Why We Teach Skiing...
Why We Teach Skiing...
Professional Ski Instructors have one thing in common...we love to see the look on our students faces when they learn a new skill and can show it off. We therefore do not do this for the pay or the image of being a ski instructor. Rather, we succeed in feeding our need for these special moments with students only when we do our best to make you successful! We want to have fun, and we want you to have fun! And, when the lesson is over, we want to high five, take a picture with our students, and proudly report to parents, friends or anyone who will listen...the success stories we shared during the lesson. It is also our mission to turn you into a lifelong skier...but that only happens if you find the love in the sport that we have found. We're on your team!
Some Terms You will Hear
Some Terms You will Hear
Fall Line - I sometimes carry a small rubber ball in my jacket that I roll from the top of run so that my students can watch it roll down the fall line...essentially the path a ball or skier would travel if going straight from top to bottom of the run.
Closing and Opening Ankles - For years instructors would to tell students to press the lower leg into the tongue of the boot, press down on big toes or other somewhat confusing requests in an attempt to pressure the front of the ski. More common verbiage explains it better with the words "close your ankle", meaning to bend the boot forward.
Edges - Each ski has two metal edges to help control the skis by biting into the snow surface. You will hear instructors say get on uphill edges, meaning to roll the knees uphill to put the skis on edge. One or both skis can be edged depending on the task.
Traverse Position - When skiing, turns are made followed by periods of time when skiers are crossing the slope in preparation for the next turn. This period of crossing the slope is done in the traverse position...one of the most important things to know when trying to become a great skier. In the traverse position the uphill ski is slightly ahead of the downhill ski, putting the hips, shoulders and knees in a slightly counter rotated position...which is good. Combine that position with an athletic stance and hands up where you can see them, creates a beautiful skiing position in preparation for the next turn.
Outside Ski Pressure- When skiing the goal is to keep the body centered over the skis while shifting pressure to the outside ski when turning. More pressure on the outside ski requires the body to move out over the ski to keep the body centered. This is done by allowing the upper body to bend downhill, awkward at first, but more comfortable after doing exercises to help.
The Backseat- This is a bad term in the sport of skiing. It means sitting back, which pressures the tails of the skis and not the front of the skis, where the skis performs their best. When skiing, pressure should not be felt on the heels of the feet, but rather on the front half of the feet. Hips need to be upright to prevent the rear attempting to go to the backseat.