Nice blast from the past, Craig. I remember when you first published Bela's article.
My modern, 2-footed variation, which I have actually used for decades, is characterized by less independent leg action, lack of divergence, and of course, no double poling.
1. Start from a stationary position with your skis at 90 degree angle to the fall line.
2. Reach as far down the slope as you can to plant your pole, flexing both knees and ankles in preparation for the initiation.
3. Rise up as your pole touches the snow lifting your downhill ski first as if you are driving to the hoop for a layup in basketball.
4. As you push away from the slope with your uphill foot, keep your knees flexed and let the energy you have stored in your core due to the opposition of your upper body and skis rotate your momentarily airborne skis into the fall line. You don't have to jump hard at all to get this to happen.
Let your skis touch gently down pointing straight down the fall line.
5. At this point it is very easy to edge and steer both skis to finish the turn so you come to a stop facing the opposite direction.
6. Repeat.
Maintain mostly equal weight on your skis and only hop and lift your feet high enough to get them out of the snow and clear the slope. Don't over-rotate. Keep your upper body facing straight down the fall line.
My modern, 2-footed variation, which I have actually used for decades, is characterized by less independent leg action, lack of divergence, and of course, no double poling.
1. Start from a stationary position with your skis at 90 degree angle to the fall line.
2. Reach as far down the slope as you can to plant your pole, flexing both knees and ankles in preparation for the initiation.
3. Rise up as your pole touches the snow lifting your downhill ski first as if you are driving to the hoop for a layup in basketball.
4. As you push away from the slope with your uphill foot, keep your knees flexed and let the energy you have stored in your core due to the opposition of your upper body and skis rotate your momentarily airborne skis into the fall line. You don't have to jump hard at all to get this to happen.
Let your skis touch gently down pointing straight down the fall line.
5. At this point it is very easy to edge and steer both skis to finish the turn so you come to a stop facing the opposite direction.
6. Repeat.
Maintain mostly equal weight on your skis and only hop and lift your feet high enough to get them out of the snow and clear the slope. Don't over-rotate. Keep your upper body facing straight down the fall line.
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