Slalom
Overview: The ‘Ski Technique’ and ‘Race Line’, outlined by the Alpine Race Method, applies to skiing short-radius turns and racing slalom. To effectively ski through a slalom course, start your forward movement early in the turn and keep your core within the ‘corridor’ between the gates. Pole planting, especially on steep sections, will help move you forward. Options for clearing gates and strategies for navigating through combination gates, such as flushes, are also covered.
Slalom
The physical movements outlined by the Ski Technique module applies to slalom.
This Technique is also consistent with the U.S.A Ski Team method for skiing slalom as demonstrated by this video.
Race Line
· When learning to race slalom as pressure is released from the old outside ski start applying pressure to the new outside ski.
· More advanced racers will allow their skis to glide flat for a moment before starting the next turn.
To learn where to ski in a racecourse, including slalom; Click below.
Core Inside the Corridor
· Early forward action is critical when skiing slalom.
· A key objective is to keep your core inside the ‘corridor,’ the space between the gates in the rhythm section of a slalom course.
· A good pole plant, especially on steep terrain, will help move the body forward.
View key components of a slalom turn in the following picture.
Watch how Olympian Naoki Yuasa of Japan moves his core forward and inside the corridor. Also, notice how he briefly glides on his bases between turns.
Pole Plant
A firm pole plant especially on steep terrain will help move your body forward. To learn more; Click below.
How to Clear Slalom Gates
Focus on your skiing and let your body position determine how you will clear slalom gates.
Clearing Gates with Your Outside Hand
If your body is forward with full pressure against the outside ski, your body will often be inside the ‘corridor’, and the outside hand will clear the gate as demonstrated by Mikaela Shiffrin.
Clearing Gates With your Inside Arm
If your body is more up right, it will usually be more effective to move the gate out of the way with your inside arm.
Watch Dave Ryding, clear slalom gates with the inside arm in this video.
Focus on Your Skiing — Not Your Hands!
Racers who have difficulty moving their core inside the ‘corridor’ sometimes focus on hand movements rather than how they ski. They reach across the front of their body to push the gate with their hand, causing the body to twist and release pressure against the outside ski.
To prevent the body from twisting away from the outside ski, focus on your ski technique and ensure your outside hand does not ‘cross’ in front of your body to clear a gate. A helpful rule is that hands should never cross in front of your jacket zipper.
Skiing Combinations
Slalom courses are comprised of Open gates and a combination of Closed Gates including Hair Pins, Flushes, Royal Flushes and Delayed Gates. To view a video describing how a slalom course is set; Click below.
Strategies for Combination Gates
- While inspecting a racecourse, develop strategies for entering and exiting the combinations.
- Maintain an athletic stance.
- Clearing gates with one hand is often most effective when skiing through flushes, although holding both hands forward and clearing the gates with your alternating inside arms also works.
With an Athletic Stance and one hand clearing gates Mikaela Shiffrin skis through a flush below.
Develop a Plan for Exiting Combination Gates
The gate after a combination — particularly following a flush — often presents a challenge, as you will be skiing faster due to there being less offset between the gates.
When inspecting the course, visualize yourself moving your core forward and applying full pressure against your outside ski as you exit the combination and approach the next gate.
Mikaela Shiffrin is skiing fast through a flush in this picture, focusing on executing a clean carve around the red gate in the foreground.
Slow Motion Video
Watch Mikaela Shiffrin ski slalom in slow motion. Look for her early forward movement, pole plant and how her core moves down the corridor of the course.
Watch Matej Vidovic of Croatia practise short turns.
Drill to Move Forward
A drill designed to train the body to face down the hill, known as ‘Braquage’ or sometimes called the ‘Pivot Slip’ drill, is demonstrated in this video.
Change Your Rhythm
Slalom courses are comprised of rhythm turns and combinations including Hair Pins and Flushes. When practising short arcing turns out of the race course, change the length of the turns to simulate racing slalom. An effective drill is the ‘5 Slalom & a Traverse’ reviewed by Mikaela Shiffrin.
Key Takeaways
- Successful slalom skiing involves moving the body forward early and keeping the core positioned within the ‘corridor’ between gates.
- Maintaining your core inside the ‘corridor’ naturally leads to clearing gates with the outside hand. When skiing more upright it is usually more effective to clear gates with the inside arm. The ‘Zipper’ Rule advises against crossing hands in front of the body to avoid twisting away from the outside ski.
- Slalom skiing involves mastering rhythm changes within the course, including various turns and combinations like Hair Pins and Flushes. Practising short arcing turns and adjusting their length can simulate racing slalom and help improve performance.
Suggested Learning Modules
To learn more about moving the body forward; Click here.
To learn how to race Dual Panelled Slalom; Click here.
To learn how to race Giant Slalom; Click here.
Return to Learn to Race
Important Note: Skiing and ski racing come with inherent risks. As such, it is imperative to ski responsibly and remain within the boundaries of your skill level and personal comfort zone.
