Word Choice

Overview

  • The Alpine Race Method uses simple, action-oriented, and up-to-date language to help skiers easily understand and communicate techniques.

  • Complex or outcome-focused words are avoided in favour of straightforward terms that describe physical movements, leading to clearer and more accessible guidance for learning and racing.

Chosen Words

  • The words used by the Alpine Race Method were chosen based on their ability to meet one of the following criteria:

    Simple, Action, Current

    Simple

  • Simple and easily understood words were chosen. Words describing the human anatomy that passed this criteria:

    Foot, Toes, Arch, Heel, Ball of Foot, Ankle, Knees, Legs, Thigh, Hips, Abdominal, Back, Core, Arms, hands, Rib Cage, Shoulders, Chin, Eyes, Head

    Action

  • Words describing how the body moves. Words that met this criteria:

    Stance, Flex, Roll, Forward, Press, Stack, Separate, Stand, Resist

    Current

  • Clear and simple language was chosen to present the latest perspectives on ski technique and racing, including:

    Athletic Stance, Ankle Flexion, Flex the ankle towards the big toe, Forward Movement, Outside and Inside Ski, Stacking, Separating Just Below the Shoulders, Roll the Inside Leg, Shorten the Inside Leg and Edge Angle.

    Review Appendix A for definitions of key words.

Words not Included

  • Many words and phrases used to describe skiing and racing are complex and assume a base level of knowledge. For the purpose of developing the Alpine Race Method, words were not included if they met any of the following criteria

    Complex, Outcome of Actions, Outdated

    Complex

  • Complex words need explanation to understand what action they are describing.

  • Comparisons are made below between words used in the Alpine Race Method and the terminology sometimes used to describe skiing techniques and excluded from the website.

Outcomes of Actions

  • Some words depict the outcome of physical actions rather than the actions themselves. Examples of such words include:

Long, Straight or Extended Outside Leg

  • Beginning a new turn in the Athletic Stance and maintaining Ankle Flexion, the outside leg does not become longer when the stacked leg is rolled inward and the foot presses against the outside ski.

  • Instead, the inside leg shortens due to the slope of the hill or by actively lifting the heel and thigh.

Lateral

  • The legs assume a lateral position, moving to the side of the body, during a turn. ‘Lateral’ in itself, however is not an independent action but the outcome of the physical actions involved in executing a carved turn.

Angulation and ‘Show your Bases’

  • As the outside ski is progressively rolled onto its inner edge, the legs will be on an angle compared to the upper body and the base of the outside ski becomes increasingly more visible.

  • Being on an angle and “Showing the bases” though, is not an action but an outcome of increasing edge angle caused by ankle flexion, forward movement, the inward roll of the inside leg, and the deliberate shortening of the inside leg.

Outdated Concepts

Separate at the Waist

  • This action reduces the pressure against the outside ski by preventing the rib cage and core stacking over the outside ski. Refer to the learning module Stack, Separate and Press for a description of separating below the shoulders.

  • Other words and phrases related to separating at the waist and not included in The Alpine Race Method are: ‘Bend like a banana’, ‘Make the shape of a C’ and ‘Feel a pinch at the waist’.

Push

  • If the outside leg forcefully pushes against the ski, it can release the energy stored in the ski too early, leading to a less bending of the ski and a shorter carving distance.

  • A more appropriate word is ‘press’ as it describes more accurately how pressure is applied to the outside ski in a firm, controlled and deliberate manner.

Key Takeaways

The words used in the Alpine Race Method were carefully selected to make it easier for skiers and racers of all ages to understand and learn the physical movements and concepts used in skiing and racing.

  1. Simplicity and Clarity: Simple and clear words were included to help skiers understand skiing techniques better. Instead of using complicated words, it focuses on describing movements in a straightforward way, making it easier to learn.

  2. Action-Oriented Language: The words used focus on actions, explaining how the body moves during skiing. This helps learners understand the physical aspects of skiing better.

  3. Current Terminology: Current and easy-to-understand words to explain skiing techniques and racing are used. Complex terms and old ideas are avoided to make learning easier.

Suggested Learning Modules

Return to Ski Technique 

Appendix A

Definitions of terms are as follows:

Arc: ‘The shape of part of a circle, or other curved line’.

Camber: ‘A slightly arched surface, such as an airfoil, or a ski’.

Core: The human core is made up of a group of muscles that provide stability and support to the spine and pelvis. The primary muscles that make up the human core include the abdominal and obliques. To gain a deeper understanding of the muscle groups comprising the human Core.

Flex: ‘To bend an arm, leg, etc. or tighten a muscle’.

Forward: ‘Towards the direction that is in front of you’.

Press: ‘Push something firmly, often without causing it to move away’.

Resist: “A ‘Resistive’ force on a moving object is a force opposing the motion of that object. Resistive forces always act in the opposing direction to its motion”.

Roll: ‘To move somewhere easily and without sudden movements’.

Stack: ‘A pile of things arranged one on top of another’.

Separate: ‘Existing or happening independently or in a different physical space’.

Important Message: Skiing and ski racing involve inherent risks. It’s essential to ski responsibly and stay within your skill level and personal comfort limits.