On Course at Mont Sainte Anne: Part 4

What an awesome day on snow.

We woke up this morning to a couple of light flurries and grey skies.  With the unfortunate injury of course conductor, Donald LaCasse, we wondered who would fill his boots.  Our whole group secretly wished that it would be J.F. Beaulieu and our wish came true. 

Today was one of the best instructional days we’ve ever had.  Not only was it great individual ski improvement, but his instruction was also about how to teach a great lesson.

We spent our morning in the bumps.  One recipe for success, 15cm of fresh snow on top and a progression to improve your skiing.  We started by thinking about turn shape, ski round to control speed.  Next we progressed and thought about what our ankles were doing.  Are you pulling your feet back as you approach the bump and then pushing your toes down as you crest over the back side?  Followed by your knees; make sure they help absorb the pressure as you increase speed.  We all had great improvements this morning and came out with a renewed confidence in the bumps.

Our afternoon was a much slower pace.  After pushing us to the limits this morning J.F knew it was important to minimize the fatigue level.  Our afternoon was focused on teaching.  The theme again was much the same, a progression to reach an attainable goal.  If at the end of the lesson you have made a small step in someone’s skiing, and they can take that away with them, than you have been successful.

Tomorrow we are off to Le Massif; the mountain with the longest vertical drop east of the rockies. The theme of tomorrow is edging…so lots of carving or “expert” parallel is on the menu.