If you are not at a prepared skiing area, pick a flat area of powdery snow with no obstacles.
It takes significant leg strength to turn this shuffling motion into the “kick and glide” motion described below. Many recreational skiers prefer to only use this shuffling technique of moving forward. [4] X Research source
If you fall on a hillside, raise your skis in the air and bring them down on the slope below you to get in a more stable position. Crawl to a flat area before you stand up. Keep the skis to one side as you crawl, not directly beneath you, or your weight could push them down the hill.
Push down into the snow with a slightly forward stride, not with a backward kick. [7] X Research source Relax your body while you are gliding, keeping your weight slightly forward to keep your momentum. This can be exhausting and difficult for a beginning skier. If you get tired, take a break or return to the shuffling motion for a while.
Plant each pole close to your body, barely extending your arms forward. [9] X Research source
If you need to stop suddenly halfway down a slope, crouch low to the ground and lean backward, letting your skis slide out from under you. Hold your poles out of the way behind you, where you won’t run over them or fall on top of them.
Note: While most skate skiers do use ski trails, you cannot skate ski inside the ski tracks cut into the trails. Skate on the surface of the trail itself, next to the ski tracks.
If you are having trouble keeping your balance, stop and practice balancing on one ski at a time without moving.
The V-1 sequence of motions goes “lift foot 1 foot (0. 3 m) 1 + both poles land, push with all three, lift foot 2 foot (0. 6 m) 2 lands. " You may time the poles to coincide with your left foot or your right foot, whichever is most comfortable.
The V-2 sequence of movements goes “lift left foot, plant both poles, push, left foot lands, lift right foot, plant both poles, push, right foot lands. "
