PLAYERS

Ski program available for beginners

Julia Carlson Rosenblatt, For the Poughkeepsie Journal

The three New York State ski areas operated by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) have developed a trademarked program for teaching beginners to ski: Parallel from the Start. Last week, I went to Belleayre to try it out.

The idea having beginners make parallel turns at the outset keeps surfacing every so often but with dubious results. This time, after arriving as a skeptic, I left as a believer; same for the Belleayre instructors, including Donald Boyce, the head of Bellayre's ski school.

In traditional Alpine skiing, neophytes first learn to turn in a wedge position, tips making a sort of V shape. (formerly called a snowplow.) They progress to a stem turn, angling out one ski to begin the turn. As they advance, they begin to bring their skis increasingly parallel, producing a stem christie. A full parallel turn is the goal. A drawback in this traditional system is that, along the way, things unavoidably had to be unlearned in order to get to a high level parallel turn.

Given the historically long skis (extend your arm above your head) and minimal sidecuts, there was no way an inexperienced skier could initiate a turn easily. With today's shorter (chin height) shaped skis, it is easier to tip a ski on its edge and make it turn.

Effective, balanced, skiing results when unifying three basic skills: rotary, edging, and pressure control. All direct-to-parallel systems start the skier out on short skis. But each of the previous systems failed to emphasize all three basic skills. They forbade introducing the wedge and stem christie — maneuvers needed in some difficult situations.

I put myself in a beginner's frame of mind and took a lesson on very short 94 cm. skis (37 inches). Having no poles, it was easier to feel like a beginner. It was an unusually slow day, right after the MLK weekend, and I had instructor Donald Boyce to myself.

Before I put on my skis, we walked around in figure eights. He showed me the ski, pointing out the camber, how it contributes to making the ski turn. With skis on, we sidestepped up and down a gentle slope. He asked me to stand on one foot and move turn the other ski back and forth. Then, he asked me to glide downhill toward him. Although I retained a beginner's mindset, the ski instructor side of me recognized that he had already introduced rotary, edging, and pressure control skills.

We went up the magic carpet lift to a longer gentle slope, where we made easy turns. I was dismayed that I put my skis in a stem position.

Boyce was unfazed. "That's because you are an experienced skier. A beginner would never do that."

He said I shouldn't worry about losing the stem. If I followed his directions, it would disappear, and it did.

When I approached the lift, I automatically slowed down in a wedge. This is where Boyce introduces the wedge. The beginners are already comfortable making parallel edged turns. They wouldn't need to use the wedge to make turns.

Before the lesson ended, we took a run from the long lift on the lower mountain. Boyce said about 80 percent of the beginners will be able to do that before the hour and a half is over. Before we reached the bottom, I was making beautiful parallel turns on these tiny little skis, a big smile on my face.

It is possible to buy a single 1½ hour lesson ($79), but most people will buy the three lesson package ($169). On the second and third days, those who are ready will graduate to longer skis. As they tackle the intermediate slopes, the instructor will introduce the stem christie and slide slip. It is, in a way, an inversion of conventional training. Start parallel and progress to stem christie. Having started skiing parallel, they don't need to unlearn the stem but can add it to their arsenal.

By introducing an edged parallel turn at the outset, can we produce expert skiers in three days? Probably not. Acquiring expertise in any endeavor requires time, experience, and further instruction.

PFS increases the fun factor. Whether these skiers will return for further instruction and enhance their skills remains to be seen. Meanwhile, it's a good start. Everyone who completes the 3-day program receives a Frequent Skier Card, with discounts and an incentive to return.

Julia Carlson Rosenblatt writes about skiing for the Poughkeepsie Journal. Reach her by emailing Players@poughkeepsiejournal.com

Calendar

Jan. 29-30, Plattekill: Skier Appreciation Day ($20 lift tickets). 800-NEED2SKI or go to www.plattekill.com.

Jan. 31, Belleayre: Ski Club Council Day 845-254-5600 or go to www.belleayre.com

Jan. 31, Hunter: 686 Rail Jam Series #2 800-436-8376 or go to www.huntermtn.com.

Feb. 2, Hunter: Snow Bowl XLVIII. 800-436-8376 or go to www.huntermtn.com.

Feb. 5, Butternut: 70+ Race Day. 413-528-2000 or go to www.skibutternut.com.