Training
Enroll to our program
Register your interest in our ski training program, Modern Ski Technique. Please indicate if you’d like to complete all three steps or only a specific step. We look forward to seeing you on the slopes!
Our training
Do you want to take your skiing to the next level and gain a deeper understanding of how your technique affects your performance? With us, a whole new world opens up, where you’ll discover that there’s even more to enjoy in skiing than you ever thought possible. We help you understand precisely how your movements impact your skis—giving you the tools to advance both yourself and others.
Modern Ski Technique is an in-depth, three-step training program focused on technique, balance, equipment, and ski maintenance, designed for anyone looking to grow as a skier. Our goal isn’t to create the “perfect turn” but to provide the foundation for personal growth and maximum joy in every run.
Step 1
Balance
In the first step, we focus on balance and ski technique. We examine how the movement of the center of mass and the base of support relate to dynamic balance and how this affects our skiing. We analyze how different movements in the ankle, knee, hip, and spine impact the ski’s interaction with snow and how this influences the ski.
Discussion Topics:
- How does bending or extending the ankle/knee affect my position on the ski?
- How does this impact ski behavior and balance?
- What forces do we experience as skiers, and how do they influence our skiing?
- How can we use our arms functionally in relation to pole planting?
We test these aspects in various snow conditions and terrain.
Parts of the Turn
We review different types of turns (sliding, steering, carving) and how specific movements create better control.
When in the turn is it more or less functional to make movements that affect the ski?
How does the type of turn influence your skiing?
Edging
Which movements, and in which joints, help us edge the ski?
In what ways can we edge the ski?
We discuss this and test it on the slopes.
Equipment
We look at:
- Binding placement on the ski in relation to the rotation point
- Ski characteristics and how you can get more from your skis
- Different types of skis (piste, all-mountain, touring…)
- Does ski choice impact our technique?
We bring various types of skis to the slopes, allowing everyone the chance to try different kinds.
Ski Maintenance
We will cover:
- How to care for your equipment
- Edge sharpening/structuring, edge beveling, and ski waxing
- What can I do myself, and when should I take my skis to a workshop/store?
Who Is This Course For?
This course is for everyone who loves skiing.
Perhaps you’ve skied for years without focusing much on technique and now want to take the next step and develop alongside like-minded people. It’s more enjoyable and inspiring to ski with others than on your own! Or maybe you haven’t yet found the joy in skiing but want to experience the same passion for skiing as the rest of your family. Whatever the case, you’ll make progress, and this journey is both rewarding and fun!
The course runs for three days, from Friday, January 17 to Sunday, January 19, 2025.
We’ll ski together from around 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a lunch stop at one of Åre’s charming slope restaurants.
After skiing, those who wish can join us for après-ski at Fjällgården. After après-ski, we’ll hold a brief session in a conference room at the hotel to summarize the day before dinner.
One evening also includes a theory session in our ski shop, where we discuss equipment.
Prerequisites
You don’t need to be a highly advanced skier to join Step 1, but you should be able to ski all red/black slopes with parallel turns.
No theoretical prerequisites are required.
Step 2
Edging
Questions we will discuss:
- How does lateral movement of the center of mass affect the skis?
- In what different ways can we edge the skis?
How does the edge angle impact grip on icy surfaces, and how does it influence turn size?
When you increase the edge angle, you are exposed to greater forces; G-force and normal force increase in the turn. To handle this, you need to be positioned on the ski in a way that lets you resist these forces (fundamental stance or a movement-ready stance).
We aim to find a stance that is both strong and ready for movement, allowing you to ski all day without getting tired. We will also practice skiing with a flat ski to build control and edge awareness and adapt skiing to various surfaces and snow conditions.
We’ll test off-piste skiing in untouched snow and on uneven terrain, working on techniques to improve ski float and stability on irregular surfaces.
This section deepens your understanding of how edging affects ski grip and turn size. You’ll learn to optimize your position to counteract forces in turns and practice skiing on flat skis for enhanced control. We’ll explore diverse terrains and snow conditions to refine technique, including off-piste skiing and adapting to changing conditions.
Different bases
How do different bases affect technique choices?
We’ll review the concept of inertia and how to use it to your advantage in skiing.
- Turn Choice
- Sliding Turn – skis relatively flat
- Steering Turn – applied steering angle
- Carving Turn
Rotation
We don’t always carve perfectly, even if we think we do.
Sometimes we’re skidding, sometimes carving, and often somewhere in between. To regulate this, we rotate the skis—something most don’t consciously realize but do instinctively.
Understanding how to rotate the skis can help you develop significantly as a skier.
How do I rotate my skis in a short turn versus a large carving turn?
Pole Planting
We discuss the pros and cons of pole planting in relation to momentum. When does effective pole planting benefit our skiing, and can it hinder our technique?
Giant Slalom Training
Together, we’ll set up a giant slalom course and practice slalom techniques.
Analysis
We’ll analyze our own and others’ movement patterns and how they affect skiing. With a newfound understanding that all movements impact the ski’s interaction with snow, we can begin analyzing ourselves and others.
Discussion points:
- At which part of the turn do I find it hardest to maintain control, and where do I struggle with grip?
- Why do my thighs get tired?
We’ll learn to find answers to these questions by understanding how we stand on the skis. We will also create a simple movement description of a turn, considering where the center of mass is at each turn phase: Entry/Turn Phase/Completion.
By examining snow tracks, we can analyze how we stand on the ski at different points in the turn.
Equipment
The ski boot is one of the most crucial parts of your gear.
We’ll cover:
- Different types of ski boots (last types, various liners) and potential customizations (pressure relief/boot fitting, lifters, custom insoles, etc.)
This clinic, led by one of our knowledgeable bootfitters, will take place in our ski shop.
On the slopes, we’ll bring various types of skis (piste, all-mountain) to test.
Who Is This Course For?
For anyone who enjoys skiing and appreciates skiing with others who share the same passion and a desire to develop as skiers.
The course runs for three days, with skiing from around 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day, plus an evening theory session in our ski shop (Åre Sportshop). This year’s Step 2 course is Friday, February 7 to Sunday, February 9.
Prerequisites
Ideally, you have completed Step 1 of Modern Ski Technique, Step 1 of the SLAO Ski Instructor program, or a similar course where you gained an understanding of how our movements affect the ski, with a focus on balance. (This is not a requirement but a recommendation, as Step 2 emphasizes edging and rotation.)
You should be able to ski all slopes with parallel turns and ski off-piste in blue/red terrain.
Step 3
Freeriding and Avalanche Knowledge
In the final step, we tackle all types of terrain with a focus on off-piste skiing and avalanche awareness. You’ll learn to adjust your technique for untouched snow and uneven surfaces while diving into safety and risk management off-piste.
The first two days are dedicated to finding the best skiing possible, ideally in untouched snow. We explore various conditions and discuss how to adapt technique accordingly.
Discussion Points:
- When should we stay light on the snow with relatively flat skis, and when should we edge heavily for good grip?
- When and how do we rotate our skis in untouched off-piste snow?
- How do we position ourselves on the ski to make it easy to rotate?
- How can we utilize the movement patterns of our core joints (ankle, knee, hip, spine) for a simple, natural motion?
- Ski characteristics and functionality (camber, width, length, radius). We’ll test different ski models and examine how they affect our technique.
The final two days include a foundational avalanche course for freeriding and ski touring, where you’ll learn companion rescue and how to identify avalanche terrain.
You’ll gain a basic understanding of safe avalanche behavior in the mountains.
Course Objectives
- Companion rescue
- Identifying avalanche terrain
- Risk minimization
- Snow and avalanche knowledge
- Search techniques
Off-Piste Skiing Risks
We aim to find quality off-piste conditions and discuss the risks associated with skiing outside marked areas and what you should consider to minimize these risks. Our instructors are experienced and follow the national training guidelines developed by SVELAV.
Required Equipment
- Suitable clothing for varied mountain environments and weather conditions
- Digital transceiver with three antennas and flagging function
- Shovel with a straight and flat blade
- Probe
- Freeride skis suitable for touring (Randonnée)
- Skins
- Backpack
- Insulating clothhing layer
- First aid kit
If you are missing any of the above items, they are available to rent in our shop.
Step 3 will be held on two occasions in the 24/25 season: Thursday, January 16 to Sunday, January 19, and Thursday, March 13 to Sunday, March 16.
Prerequisites
You have either completed Step 2 of Modern Ski Technique, Step 2 of the SLAO Ski Instructor program, or a similar course. You must have home/accident insurance that covers off-piste skiing.
You should be capable of skiing off-piste in various snow conditions.
Enroll here
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