To view some ski tips provided by the certified pros at the Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance, please visit their web site by clicking on the logo or link below:

http://www.snowpro.com/csia/e/ 

Ski poles, which vary in length, are to be used to help move around the ski area for mobility and stability. While skiing, they are the key piece of equipment for maintaining rhythm.

Over the past few years, due to the fact that ski areas are busier, most people are trying to make more rhythmical and short radius turns. Having the basket follow the outside foot through the turn can set the pole rhythm. Once the turn is completed, the basket is put into the snow with quite a bit of pressure. The next turn starts immediately. Repeat the process for the opposite side.

Most people try to plant their pole and remove it from the snow too quickly. Instead, plant the pole firmly in the snow, leave it there and let your wrist go over the basket dragging the pole as the turn continues. On steep slopes the pole plant is very important to stabilize the body and help in the initiation of the turn to let the feet turn quickly, enabling you to balance on the last half of the turn.

If you look at a video, you will notice some racers on the World Cup show their poles extremely bent from the amount of weight they are placing on it, so don’t be afraid to put a lot of body weight on your poles.

Provided by the Canadian Ski Council

Most skis when first purchased are not in any shape to be skied on. The manufacturer does a quick wax only to protect the base from drying out.

Most people prefer to have the bases and edges flat and a slight bevel on the side edges. Depending on how you ski, the degree of the bevel can be altered. Slalom, GS and downhill skiers all have a different base and side bevels.

Most tuning shops now have advanced technology and can do whatever is required for your specific skis. Some manufacturers have a recommendation for how their skis should be tuned, but it also comes down to personal preference.

Base texture is a very important part of ski tuning. Depending upon the snow condition and temperature, the texture of your base determines how fast your skis run. For instance, in the Spring the texture should be quite coarse so that on the wet snow the water does not have a suction action on the ski to slow it down.

Talk to your local tuning shop about your specific needs as a base texturing is very hard to do without the proper equipment.

Provided by the Canadian Ski Council

On those gray days in January when it is –20 and cloudy, there is a flat light that occurs on the snow surface. With flat light you cannot see rolls and bumps on the snow surface which makes it quite difficult to ski comfortably.

There are a number of ways you can combat flat light. Some goggle manufacturers produce sunglasses that have a form of lens that will show contrast. When you are on a big mountain and have the option of skiing in the trees or gladed areas, these would be the best places to ski on flat light days. Having the trees and the shading from them shows contour in the slope which almost makes it feel like a sunny day. If you are skiing in areas without glades (mostly groomed runs), try to stay to the sides of the slopes close to the trees. The refraction on the trees helps give the snow some texture and makes it a lot easier to see.

Try this out on a gray day, ski beside some trees for a while then move into the centre of the slope and I am sure you will see the difference.

Provided by the Canadian Ski Council

If you are a boarder or a skier, it is always good to increase your knowledge of these wonderful sports.

Over the past few years, ski equipment has changed tremendously which technically affects how you ski. Most ski schools have trained and certified their staff with the latest technical information relating to equipment, and the new way of skiing.

Every few years the evolution of ski teaching and general skiing takes giant leaps. Most of it is geared towards having a better experience on the slopes and getting people to achieve their goals relating to terrain, gates and having a social time.

Ski Schools typically have been viewed as educational institutions which gives them a dry appeal, but over the past ten years the emphasis has been placed on putting fun back into the sport. Some of the growth areas of interest are bumps, adult racing, steeps, off-piece skiing and snowboarding. The interest in extreme skiing prompted by film companies has also tweaked the interest in younger kids to be more enthusiastic about the sport.

All Ski Schools have programs and lesson packages, such as Discover Skiing / Snowboarding packages. These packages offer lift, lesson and rental at a discounted rate and are available to help improve your performance and enable you to accomplish what you would like to do on a big mountain. So try out the new era of ski teaching!

Provided by Ian Kirkpatrick, Horseshoe Resort, for the Canadian Ski Council