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Intermediate Skiing

By User:AllieCashel @timeAndDate(1280431477) I'm assuming congratulations are in order. After all, you are reading about intermediate skiing, which most likely means you've excelled past the most basic levels and are now capable of harder, more expansive terrainnot an easy step to make. So well done, dear reader, you are now an intermediate skier. Now that you're out on more open, probably less crowded trails, the type and style of your ski will start to have an effect on the way that you get yourself down the mountain. The most basic, beginner models probably no longer suit your needs and it's now time to move onto equipment that you can handle and control on steeper trails. Although upgrading can be expensive, when you're looking to continue your development in the sport, switching to a higher quality ski is an important step on the road to becoming an advanced or expert athlete. Once you've made your switch, you will be able to start refining your craft, and you'll soon be able to cover more vertical feet in a day than you may ever have expected.

The Right Stuff

'''Skis''' Beginner skis tend to be extremely curved, soft, and short: characteristics that work very well on basic terrain. Because those new to the sport tend to fall a lot, they require a forgiving ski that is not too fast.  The equipment also needs to be curved enough so that wedge turns can happen with little effort. Intermediate skiers, however, spend little time on flat trails and require something a bit longer and less curvy. Take a look at the following characteristics before you buy your new pair. '''Boots''' When you buy this vital piece of equipment, it's important to be honest with yourself and really examine your skiing ability.  If you buy comfort boots that are tailored for beginners, your turns will suffer, especially as the terrain gets more challenging.  However, if you buy a pair that are meant for advanced skiers, you run the risk of hurting your feet and shins.  Expert boots are meant for aggressive skiing, so they are very sturdy and stiff.  Look for something durable but not oppressive, and don't ever hesitate to ask a sales associate for tips and recommendations. For more tips on fitting, check out SouthernSki.com. '''Bindings''' Bindings are a lot more versatile than skis and boots: the same binding can be set with a different DIN so it can adapt to your progress.  DIN stands for Deutsche Industrie Normen, which is the organization responsible for establishing release tension standards.  These standards ensure that if you fall, your binding will detach from your boot and help prevent injury; however, they also safeguard against your skis flying off at inopportune moments.  The DIN is set according to your height and weight, but the most important consideration is your skill level.  Beginners should use a lower setting (3 to 6 is recommended), and intermediate skiers should have theirs set between 5 to 9.  Your technician will typically be responsible for taking care of this. Below are some bindings recommended for intermediates.

Getting to the Next Level

You may have already figured it out, but if you haven't, I'm going to have to be the bearer of bad news. The transition from beginner to intermediate is far easier than the transition from intermediate to advanced. There are so many skiers out there who look great on the blue trails and then fall to pieces on the black ones. Improvement is not going to happen overnight, but if you're interested in continuing to evolve and finally break free of the intermediate plateau, here a few tips to help you master more challenging terrain. * '''Adapting Your Stance''': When transitioning to the next level, you won't be able to keep the same solid stance you are used to all the time. There will be more variations in the terrain under your feet and you'll need to be able to adjust yourself accordingly. Just like with your turns, practice changing the position of your skis and the angle of the bend in your knee so you'll feel more comfortable on harder trails. * '''Lessons and Filming''': Many people have found it helpful to have someone tell them what is going wrong. Take a lesson with an experienced instructor and ask them to film you skiing. They'll point out the things you need to improve upon and you'll be able to watch your own mistakes. * '''Practice''': As with anything, improving is going to take a lot of practice, but don't give up! Once you feel comfortable on every type of trail, you'll realize that the possibilities of this sport are limitless.

Related Guides

* Skiing * Learn to Ski * Top Ten Considerations Before Buying Snow Skis * Ski Bindings