Ski Television:

Building Rhythm

So here's our situation. Some beautiful snow in the high alpine at whistler. And to enjoy it, I'm going to build a rhythm. Build a rhythm by using my up and down movement. And I've got to do something with the poles to coordinate that. I just want to show you that.

The first thing is, you know, a lot of people when they put their poles on, they put them on the wrong way so, look, put your pole strap up. Your hand up through the pole strap like that and grab the strap and the handle. Now you'll be able to pull a good pole swing. You've got to get the feeling of swinging the basket of the pole forward. As I'm turning, I move the pole while I turn so the pole is there and I'm ready to plant it and I'm building my rhythm.

Okay, to build your rhythm, try some easy turns on a groomed slope. And notice how as I'm turning I move the pole forward. Move the basket while you turn.

Okay, we're back in the ungroomed snow and I am going to build my rhythm with my poles. I have it in position and it's ready for me. And that's easier because if I have to wait just even a second to get my pole ready, it could be the second when I needed to get that turn started.

So practice building your rhythm on the flats or on the easy slopes by swinging your pole and I think it'll help you.