Skis have changed a ton over the last 50 years. They look different, they feel different, and the behave different. Even ski styles and stances have changed a ton over the last 50 years. But at the end of the day, the #1 fundamental of skiing has arguably remained exactly the same: managing forces & pressure between the snow and the ski.
Debra Armstrong is a former PSIA Alpine team member and Olympic gold medalist, rising to fame after winning gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. She remains one of America’s most celebrated skiers. Today she continues to act as an athlete, an educator, and a ski enthusiast, sharing her knowledge and experience with the ski world.
In her most recent video, Deb talked with PSIA National Alpine Team member Jonathan Ballou about the concept of managing forces and pressure in skiing and how it’s remained skiing’s number #1 fundamental despite the massive changes in the sport.
The big concept, if you really want this to stick in your head, to understand through this video is the idea that the basic act of skiing (if you’re doing it right and not just pointing the sticks downhill) is working to get the snow to push on your outside ski and align the ski to receive that force. Then it’s up to you to further manipulate the force for speed or agility.
Obviously this concept is going to be more important in some disciplines over others. In park skiing you’re not necessarily worried about using your edges on the snow as much as you would be in ski racing or generally carving down a clean groomer. But keeping this basic concept in mind can be the first step in truly understanding the sport on a fundamental level.
