CANADIAN ASSOC. FOR DISABLED SKIING
NATIONAL CAPITAL DIVISION
PRE SIT-SKI TETHERING CLINIC
BACKGOUND & OBJECTIVE
Generally, we train “perceived” strong intermediate and advanced skiers as volunteers to become
sit-ski tetherers. Yet, we find in many cases, these skiers lack the specific skills and
understanding to perform this function safely. For example, a number of skiers cannot perform a
strong edged snow-plow or have difficulty transitioning from a snow-plow to a parallel side-slip
with their skis. The basic understanding of staying behind the sit-ski in the fall line may also be
missing.
This clinic is designed to provide a number of skiing drills that will improve the volunteer’s
skiing ability as well as their understanding of tethering requirements.
1. Snow-Plow Drill
On an intermediate slope, demonstrate the difference between a flat ski snow-plow and an edged
snow-plow.
Have the volunteers perform a snow-plow drill where they go from a snow-plow on flat skis to
an edged snow-plow that stops.
Continue this exercise several times down the slope.
2. Pedal Turns Drill
On an intermediate slope, ski straight down the fall line in a snow-plow position.
Push on the right ski with an inside edge to initiate a turn.
As the turn starts to initiate, release the edge and push on the inside edge of the left ski to initiate
the turn in the other direction.
Repeat several times.
Using quick initiated turns, the skier should remain in the fall line at all times similar to a fast
track to parallel exercise.
3. Skate Stop Drill
On an intermediate to advanced slope, demonstrate a skate stop.
Repeat in the other direction
Have the skiers do this exercise one stop at a time.
Ensure that the skiers’ shoulders are facing down hill and hands should be forward and facing
downhill as well.
Ensure that skiers stop immediately without ski movement across the hill.
4. Side-Slip Drill
On an intermediate slope, demonstrate a controlled side-slip using edges to stop and then slide.
Ensure that shoulders are facing downhill and that hands are forward pointing downhill.
The skiers should remain in the fall line with no movement across the hill during this exercise.
5. Falling Leaf Exercise
The falling leaf exercise builds on the side-slip drill again using an intermediate to advanced
slope.
Initiate a downhill side-slip.
Using some edging to control speed, change stance and balance minimally from center to more
weight on the front of the skis. Add some minor pivoting on both skis pointing skis uphill to
have skis start to slide somewhat backwards while sliding downhill.
Reverse this process by changing stance and balance applying more weight to the back of the
skis again with minor pivoting to point the skis downhill resulting in some forward movement
while sliding downhill.
Repeat this process several times while maintaining a downhill momentum that uses a narrow
width corridor ( i.e. no more that 12 feet).
6. Snow-plow Turn Transitioning to a Skidded Parallel Christie
On an intermediate Slope, demonstrate a snow-plow turn that changes in Phase 2 of the turn to a
parallel christie.
Ensure that the parallel christie is skidded or sliding downhill in Phase 3 of the turn.
Repeat in the opposite direction.
Finally, link a series of turns.
7. Synchronized Skiing using Bamboo Poles
On a beginner slope, demonstrate synchronized skiing using 2 skiers skiing in a snow-plow
stance.
The skiers should be skiing in the fall line holding a bamboo pole in each hand connected to the
same side hands of the other skier.
The downhill skier must hold his/her hands in a rigid position.
The uphill skier can now initiate rotational turns for the downhill skier using by pulling/pushing
on one of the bamboo poles.
The uphill skier must be verbally communicating the turns with the downhill skier.
8. Synchronized Skiing using Hip/Waist Tethers
Same as above exercise, only with joined tether straps around downhill skier’s hips below the
waist.
Ensure that joined tether straps are not wrapped completely around the downhill skier. They
should only form a half wrap or half circle around the front of the skier.
Downhill skier should hold tethers to ensure that they don’t slip when uphill skier is initiating the
turns.
Uphill skier should be skiing in the downhill skier’s fall line at all times.
9. Synchronized Skiing using Held Tethers
On a beginner slope, repeat the exercise similar to the above, only in this case the tethers are held
in the skiers hands similar to the bamboo pole exercise.
The uphill skier will only use verbal command s to initiate the turns (i.e. the tethers are not used,
but should remain taunt at all times)
This exercise can graduate to parallel turns and then to an intermediate slope.
Uphill skier should be skiing in the downhill skier’s fall line at all times.
SUMMARY
The above drills should improve the volunteers overall skiing ability and are specifically
designed to improve edging skills in turns and side slips. As well improvements in the timing
and co-ordination required to transition from a snow-plow turn to a sideslip should be seen.
Emphasis has been placed on the requirement to ski in the fall line that is a “must” for safe
tethering. Based upon the volunteers demonstrated ability in the above areas, he/she will be
ready to move on to specific tethering sit-ski training.
Developed by:
-Clay Dawdy, CADS-3, CSIA-2, CSCF-1
Acknowledgements:
-Inspired by Bobby Palm, Technical Director – Challenge Aspen
-contributions from Bob Gimour, Supervisor – Calabogie Adaptive Skiing
DRAFT – JANUARY 19, 2009