This skill helps you move across flat sections of the mountain, like connecting trails or getting to the lift line, without taking your skis off. You'll use a combination of leg pushes and pole pushes to glide forward.
You should be comfortable wearing your skis and maintaining your balance on flat ground. It helps to have a feel for gliding a little on gentle slopes.
How to do it
Using your legs
- Stance: Stand in your athletic stance, knees slightly bent, weight centered.
- Push and Glide: Push one ski slightly out to the side and back, using the edge to propel yourself forward. As you push, shift your weight onto the other ski and glide.
- Alternate: Repeat with the other leg, alternating pushes to keep moving. Think of it like a subtle ice skate push.
Using your poles
- Plant: Plant both poles firmly in the snow beside you, slightly ahead of your body.
- Push: Lean into your poles and push down and back to propel yourself forward.
- Recover: Lift your poles and bring them forward to plant again, maintaining your momentum.
Common mistakes
- Feet parallel: If your skis are too parallel when pushing, you won't get enough grip to move forward effectively. Angle them slightly.
- Pizza (wedge): Don't put your skis in a wedge (pizza) shape. This will slow you down or even make you slide backward on flat ground.
- No weight transfer: Not shifting your weight from one ski to the other means you're just pushing snow around instead of gliding.
Learn more
Source: Ronchen's Studio · How to ski on flat base || Ronchen ski tutorial