{"id":9078,"date":"2022-08-29T07:57:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T12:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/?p=9078"},"modified":"2022-08-29T07:57:59","modified_gmt":"2022-08-29T12:57:59","slug":"skis-keep-crossing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/skis-keep-crossing\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do You Do If Your Skis Keep Crossing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re a new skier heading to the slopes this winter<\/strong>, one problem that always concerns beginners is what to do about crossing skis. We have all faced this issue, and while it\u2019s not very difficult to overcome, it can seem insurmountable when you\u2019re new to skiing. The annoying habit of skis that insist on turning in and crossing<\/strong> over one another puzzles us all at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skis will usually only cross when you stop or turn. In stopping, <\/strong>keep your skis flat and gently push the rear of the skis out rather than turn the toes in, keeping your weight even. If turning, place most weight on your outside ski and bring the inside ski round and parallel once more.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Realistically, the only thing to do if you\u2019re skiing and your skis cross is to accept the wipe-out and start again<\/strong>. This problem really troubles most novice skiers, but it can be quickly sorted out<\/strong> with some guidance and a bit of practice and rarely<\/strong> raises its head in an intermediate or advanced skier<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\" <\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As a note, while I’ve skied, my friend helped me write this article because he has a lot more experience than I do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do My Skis Keep Crossing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fatigue and a lack of concentration in an intermediate or advanced skier can lead to one ski crossing the other, but in general, it is a rite of passage<\/strong> caused when a beginner is taught to snowplow<\/strong>. Getting those long planks of wood or composite material to turn is not intuitive<\/strong> and takes a lot of faith in your instructor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Snow-plow (Pizza)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I enlisted the help of my friend who has a lot more experience than me, in skiing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you find the gentlest slope available<\/strong> before you even point your skis downhill. I clearly remember my first day on the slopes over 35 years ago: We were told to keep our skis parallel and point them down the slope, and then off I flew<\/strong>, wind tearing through my hair as I shot along at breakneck speed<\/strong> down what seemed<\/strong> like a vertical drop<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I reached the bottom and came to a full stop, I turned around and could not believe how gentle the slope was<\/strong> or that I had only traveled 30m \/ 65 feet<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once my heart rate had slowed to normal<\/strong>, I realized that the ability to stop was something I would have to learn very quickly, and that\u2019s where the snowplow comes in.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. From the top of a gentle<\/strong> slope, just before the decline begins<\/em>, stand with your feet flat on the skis (no caving in of the ankles allowed<\/strong>)<\/li>
  2. With the skis parallel, push the rear<\/strong> of your skis apart, creating a triangular wedge in front<\/strong><\/li>
  3. Use your poles to move forward slightly while allowing your skis to return part of the way to parallel<\/strong><\/li>
  4. To set off, you need to shift the weight on your skis. Move your ankles simultaneously to move the pressure on the inside edge of your skis to the center. This will leave your skis lying flat,<\/strong> and you\u2019ll begin to slide forwards at a gentle pace.<\/li>
  5. As you start moving forward, push the rear of the skis apart<\/strong> again until you stop<\/strong>. Repeat this movement several times<\/strong>, allowing more and more forward motion before braking as your confidence builds. Be careful not to let your ankles collapse outwards<\/strong> as you brake, or you will have your skis cross on you<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Both skis must move into the snowplow position in one simultaneous action<\/strong>. Applying pressure to one ski before the other<\/strong> will cause that ski to turn inward and over the other ski.<\/strong> Often referred to as \u2018catching an edge,\u2019 this is where you can practice your wipe-out technique<\/strong>. Remember to smile, as everyone seems to have a camera these days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As you pick up speed<\/strong>, you will require more force to stop,<\/strong> and at this point, you will need to allow the inside ankles to drop more and more to put more pressure on the inside edges of the skis, which will no longer be perfectly flat<\/strong> on the snow, but more tilted inwards with the increase in speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Caveat<\/strong> \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n