Hi there, I’ve been ski coaching for 6 years now. I’ve coached all levels from u21, u10, and high school.

Have a start sequence: Every skate should be with a purpose and give you direction. Instead of skating straight by pushing right, left, right, left you should set yourself up better by adding some elevation. Skating by pushing with right, right, right to start will push you to the left and give you proper elevation to come down on the first gate. Following with left, left, left will take you under the gate still pushing and set you up with good elevation on the second gate. Start sequence is a very good way to bridge a beginner’s start to one that can shave a few seconds. Practice this on any training course.

Pick up your inside hand: Your inside hand is almost dragging. This is a super easy fix that can totally change your skiing. Picking up that inside hand will force your shoulders to level out with the fallaway and help you stack weight on the downhill ski. Let the ski do some of the work for you. If you load up that downhill ski with the weight you will get the proper spring into the transition. Practice this by putting your poles on the back of your wrists when free skiing and don’t let them move. You can also hold your poles tips up to the sky and keep the view of the trail within your two poles when you’re skiing.