Teach Skiing

Here’s a detailed CSIA Level 2-style beginner ski lesson script, designed for first-time skiers or those just starting to control their skis on gentle terrain. This follows the CSIA progression, focusing on stance, balance, sliding, stopping, turning, and controlling speed.

CSIA Level 2 Beginner Ski Lesson Script

Goal: Introduce basic ski control, balance, stopping, and simple turns on green terrain.

1. Introduction & Warm-up

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Welcome, everyone! Today, we’re going to learn the basics of skiing: how to stand, slide, stop, and turn. By the end of the lesson, you’ll be able to control your speed and make small turns on gentle slopes!"

✅ Check Equipment & Conditions:

• Boots snug but not too tight.

• Skis adjusted properly to their bindings.

• Poles optional for now.

🏋️‍♂️ Warm-up (without skis):

• March in place to warm up.

• Small jumps to wake up the legs.

• Ankle flexes to feel balance.

2. Getting Comfortable with the Equipment

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Before we start moving, let's practice standing and balancing on skis."

1️⃣ Stand in an Athletic Stance:

• Feet hip-width apart.

• Knees slightly bent, not locked.

• Hands in front, like holding a pizza box.

• Weight centered, pressing shins into boot tongues, lean forward, put your weight forward, put a little pressure on the front of your boot.. you should always feel a little pressure on your shin.. hold the pressure... lean forward.. a little bit more.. That's it..

🔹 Key Cues for Stance:✅ "Soft knees, hands forward, feel the front of your boots."✅ "Imagine you’re a superhero, ready for action!"

3. Sliding & Basic Balance

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Now, let’s try sliding on gentle terrain. We’ll start with one ski on, then both."

1️⃣ One-Ski Glide (If Needed for Nervous Students)

• Put on one ski.

• Push with the free foot, gliding on the ski.

• Switch sides.

2️⃣ Two-Ski Glide

• Stand in your ski stance.

• Gently push off using small steps.

• Glide a short distance and stop by stepping to a stop.

🔹 Key Cues:✅ "Glide like a penguin!"✅ "Stay relaxed—soft knees help absorb bumps."

4. Stopping (Snowplow/Pizza Stop)

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Now, let’s learn to stop! This is called a snowplow or pizza stop."

🔹 How to Snowplow Stop:1️⃣ Point ski tips together to make a "V" (pizza shape).2️⃣ Keep pressure on the inside edges of both skis.3️⃣ The wider the V, the more you slow down.

🔹 Key Cues:✅ "Big pizza slows you down, small pizza lets you glide."✅ "Press your feet out, tips stay close!"

5. Learning to Turn (Snowplow Turns)

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Great! Now that we can stop, let’s learn to turn. We’ll use our pizza shape to steer."

🔹 How to Snowplow Turn:1️⃣ Start in a gentle snowplow.2️⃣ Apply more pressure on one ski to turn in the opposite direction.3️⃣ Look where you want to go.4️⃣ Keep hands forward and upper body stable.

🔹 Key Cues:✅ "Press on your right foot to turn left, press on your left foot to turn right."✅ "Like riding a bike—lean into it gently!"

6. Linking Turns (Control & Confidence)

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Now, let's connect our turns to control speed and move smoothly down the slope!"

1️⃣ Start in a snowplow position.2️⃣ Gently steer left, then right, using pressure on the inside edges.3️⃣ Keep looking downhill, not at your feet.4️⃣ Slowly bring skis closer together as confidence grows.

🔹 Key Cues:✅ "Turn left by pressing right, turn right by pressing left."✅ "Let’s make S-shapes in the snow!"

7. Common Mistakes & Fixes

🚨 Mistake: Leaning back.✔️ Fix: "Nose over toes, hands in front!"

🚨 Mistake: Skis too far apart, losing control.✔️ Fix: "Keep knees bent, feet hip-width apart."

🚨 Mistake: Twisting upper body instead of turning legs.✔️ Fix: "Your legs steer, your shoulders stay calm!"

8. Fun Drills to Build Confidence

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Let's do some fun exercises to improve our balance and control!"

🔹 Scooter Drill – Glide on one ski at a time.🔹 Jumps on the Spot – Small bounces to stay balanced.🔹 Follow the Leader – Copy instructor’s turns.

9. Summary & Next Steps

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Great job

Here's a detailed CSIA Level 2-style ski lesson script for teaching a beginner-intermediate skier, focusing on parallel skiing development. This follows CSIA’s methodology, emphasizing stance, balance, edging, pivoting, and pressure control.

CSIA Level 2 Beginner-Intermediate Ski Lesson Script

Goal: Develop controlled parallel skiing on green and easy blue terrain.

1. Introduction & Warm-up

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Hey everyone, welcome to today’s lesson! We're going to work on improving your control and confidence with parallel skiing. Our goal is to get more comfortable with smoother turns, better balance, and control on slightly steeper terrain."

✅ Check Equipment & Conditions:

• Boots snug but not too tight.

• Skis properly adjusted.

• Poles at the correct length.

• Weather & Snow Conditions noted.

🏋️‍♂️ Warm-up:

• Side-stepping uphill 5-10 steps.

• Hopping in place to feel the ski edges.

• Gentle sliding to wake up the legs.

2. Review: Basic Parallel Skiing Stance

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Before we start, let’s get into a great skiing stance. I want you to stand with your feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hands in front. Imagine you’re holding a pizza box in front of you – that keeps your hands balanced."

🔹 Key Cues for Stance:✅ Athletic stance – knees flexed, not locked.✅ Hands forward – balanced, no “T-rex arms.”✅ Weight centered over both skis.✅ Shins pressing gently against boot tongues.

3. Developing Parallel Turns

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Now, let’s focus on linking parallel turns smoothly. Instead of a wedge, we want to use edge control and leg rotation to turn."

Step 1: Start with a Traverse

"Let’s begin by traversing across the slope with our skis parallel."➡️ Look where you want to go.➡️ Keep skis flat at first, then gently tilt them to grip.➡️ Feel the inside edge of the downhill ski working.

Step 2: Steering & Turning

"Now, let's turn by guiding our legs while keeping our upper body stable."1️⃣ Start in a traverse.2️⃣ Lightly tip both skis downhill by rolling the ankles and knees.3️⃣ Guide the skis into a turn with gentle leg rotation, not forcing it.4️⃣ Balance on the outside ski (downhill ski).5️⃣ Finish with skis parallel.

🔹 Key Cues for Turns:✅ "Soft knees, active ankles."✅ "Tip the skis, guide with your legs."✅ "Feel the pressure build on the outside ski."

4. Linking Multiple Turns

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Great! Now, we’re going to connect multiple turns with a smooth rhythm."

• Flow from one turn into the next.

• Think of skiing like drawing an ‘S’ on the snow.

• Keep movements smooth and progressive.

• Use pole plants to help with rhythm.

🔹 Key Cues for Linking Turns:✅ "Turn with your legs, not your shoulders."✅ "Finish one turn before starting the next."✅ "Look ahead, not down at your skis."

5. Common Mistakes & Fixes

🚨 Mistake: Skis diverging (not staying parallel).✔️ Fix: Focus on pressing both shins into the boots evenly.

🚨 Mistake: Leaning back, losing control.✔️ Fix: "Nose over toes," hands forward.

🚨 Mistake: Upper body twisting too much.✔️ Fix: Keep shoulders stable, turn with legs.

6. Practice Drills

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Let’s do a few drills to make these movements second nature!"

🔹 Javelin Turns – Lift inside ski slightly to encourage balance.🔹 Thousand Steps – Small, quick steps in the turn to develop control.🔹 Edge Rolls – Gently roll ankles to control edge angle.

7. Summary & Wrap-Up

👩‍🏫 Instructor:"Awesome work today! We focused on keeping our skis parallel, using smooth turns, and staying balanced. Remember: soft knees, active ankles, and turning with your legs. Keep practicing, and next time, we’ll build on this with more dynamic turns!"

today! You learned how to stand, slide, stop, and turn. Keep practicing those turns, and next time, we’ll work on bringing our skis closer together to ski more parallel!"

For the next level (beginner transitioning to intermediate), the focus shifts from basic snowplow control to stronger turns, speed control, and introducing parallel skiing. The cues should encourage skiers to develop edge control, weight shifting, and smoother linked turns.

CSIA Level 2 - Progressing from Snowplow to Parallel

Focus Areas:✔️ Refining turning skills✔️ Introducing parallel skiing fundamentals✔️ Controlling speed with edge engagement

1. Athletic Stance Refinement

🎯 “Nose over toes, hands forward!”🎯 “Soft knees, press your shins into the boots.”🎯 “Stay stacked—hips over feet, chest over hips.”

👀 Why? Keeps balance centered for better control at higher speeds.

2. Steering with Edges (Bringing Skis Closer Together)

🎯 “Start in pizza, finish in french fries.”🎯 “Tilt your ankles, not just your knees.”🎯 “Feel the inside edge of your downhill ski.”

👀 Why? This helps shift from a wedge (snowplow) to a more parallel stance at the end of each turn.

3. Weight Shift for Stronger Turns

🎯 “Press on the gas pedal (big toe) to turn.”🎯 “More weight on the downhill ski = smoother turns.”🎯 “Think of your skis like a skateboard—lean into the turn!”

👀 Why? Encourages proper pressure control, making turns more dynamic and fluid.

4. Smooth Linked Turns (More Flow, Less Stopping)

🎯 “Turn your feet, not your shoulders.”🎯 “Look where you want to go.”🎯 “Connect the dots—one turn flows into the next.”

👀 Why? Prevents over-rotation and keeps movement natural.

5. Controlling Speed with Turn Shape

🎯 “Big turns = slow, small turns = fast.”🎯 “Ski across the hill, not straight down.”🎯 “Control speed with turn shape, not by braking.”

👀 Why? Helps skiers manage speed without relying on constant braking.

6. Parallel Skiing Introduction (Matching Skis Mid-Turn)

🎯 “Start open, finish parallel.”🎯 “Feel your inside ski ‘catch up’ in each turn.”🎯 “Tighter stance = more control.”

👀 Why? This builds confidence to gradually move away from snowplow turns.

7. Edge Engagement (More Grip, Less Skidding)

🎯 “Tip your skis like a bike leaning into a turn.”🎯 “More edge = more grip.”🎯 “Imagine carving a slice out of the snow.”

👀 Why? Helps skiers progress toward proper carving techniques.

8. Upper & Lower Body Separation (Stronger Positioning)

🎯 “Legs do the work, upper body stays quiet.”🎯 “Point your belly button down the hill.”🎯 “Keep shoulders level, don’t lean inside too much.”

👀 Why? Encourages good separation for stability and stronger turns.

Now that skiers are transitioning from basic parallel skiing to more dynamic turns, this next level will focus on refining parallel skiing, edge control, carving, and terrain adaptation. These cues will help skiers gain more confidence, fluidity, and efficiency in their movements.

CSIA Level 2 – Intermediate Skiing Progression

Focus Areas:

✔️ Full parallel skiing (no wedge at all)✔️ Stronger edge control (grip vs. skid)✔️ Flexion & extension movements (absorbing terrain)✔️ Carving foundations (using edges to slice turns)

1. Stronger Parallel Stance & Balance

🎯 “Feel both skis working together—no more wedge!”🎯 “Shins pressed into boots = ready position.”🎯 “Quiet upper body, active legs.”

👀 Why? This solidifies parallel skiing, ensuring a stable stance for higher speeds.

2. Turn Initiation with Leg Steering & Edge Engagement

🎯 “Start the turn with your ankles, not your shoulders.”🎯 “Lighten the inside ski, guide it smoothly.”🎯 “Roll onto the new edge early—don’t rush!”

👀 Why? Helps skiers develop edge awareness and better control over their turns.

3. Dynamic Weight Shifting (More Pressure = More Control)

🎯 “Heavy downhill ski, light uphill ski.”🎯 “Think of dancing—shift your weight smoothly.”🎯 “Feel the ski bend—more pressure = more response.”

👀 Why? This improves turn precision and speed control.

4. Linking Turns with Rhythm & Flow

🎯 “Count 1-2-3 in each turn—smooth rhythm!”🎯 “Like a pendulum—let each turn flow into the next.”🎯 “Think ‘S’ shape, not zigzag.”

👀 Why? Encourages continuous movement rather than jerky, forced turns.

5. Controlling Speed with Edge Angles

🎯 “More edge = slower, less edge = faster.”🎯 “Steeper slope? Increase edge angle for control.”🎯 “Gentle edges for skidding, strong edges for carving.”

👀 Why? This teaches skiers to manage speed without overusing braking movements.

6. Absorbing Terrain with Flexion & Extension

🎯 “Low in the turn, tall between turns.”🎯 “Legs act like shock absorbers—soft, not stiff.”🎯 “Move with the terrain, don’t fight it.”

👀 Why? This helps skiers handle bumps and steeper sections more efficiently.

7. Early Edge Engagement for Carving

🎯 “Tip the skis early—feel them bite into the snow.”🎯 “Less pivot, more tilt—let the edges do the work.”🎯 “Carving? You should see two clean lines in the snow.”

👀 Why? Introduces basic carving techniques, reducing unnecessary skidding.

8. Adjusting for Terrain & Speed

🎯 “Steep? Shorten your turns.”🎯 “Flatter terrain? Let the skis run a little.”🎯 “Moguls? Absorb the bumps, stay balanced.”

👀 Why? Helps skiers adapt to varied terrain and ski confidently in different conditions.

Now we’re moving into advanced intermediate skiing, where skiers refine carving, dynamic movement, short turns, steeper terrain control, and speed adaptation. This level focuses on precision, efficiency, and confidence across various conditions.

CSIA Level 2 – Advanced Intermediate Progression

Focus Areas:

✔️ Refining carving technique (less skidding, more grip)✔️ Mastering dynamic flexion & extension (energy in turns)✔️ Short & long turns for different terrain✔️ More speed control through turn shape, not braking✔️ Stronger edge control & angulation

1. Stronger Athletic Stance & Body Positioning

🎯 “Stay stacked—hips over feet, chest over knees.”🎯 “Hands in front, always ready.”🎯 “Belly button faces downhill, don’t twist your shoulders.”

👀 Why? Maintains balance and control at higher speeds.

2. More Dynamic Weight Shifting (Powerful Turns)

🎯 “Commit to the downhill ski early.”🎯 “Feel your ski bend—more pressure, more response.”🎯 “Big toe pressure to engage the inside edge, little toe pressure to release.”

👀 Why? This improves stability, carving precision, and smoother edge transitions.

3. Short & Long Turns Adaptation

🎯 “Quick, compact movements for short turns.”🎯 “Let your legs do the work—upper body stays quiet.”🎯 “Long turns? Stay patient, ride the edges.”

👀 Why? Helps skiers control speed efficiently on steep terrain and variable snow.

4. Carving with Edge Precision

🎯 “Engage edges early—tip, grip, and go.”🎯 “Feel the inside edge of the outside ski digging in.”🎯 “No skidding! Clean tracks in the snow mean proper carving.”

👀 Why? Teaches true carving technique, reducing unnecessary braking.

5. Active Flexion & Extension for More Power

🎯 “Sink into the turn, rise between turns.”🎯 “Absorb the terrain—use your legs, not your upper body.”🎯 “More flexion = more stability.”

👀 Why? Helps skiers generate energy from turns and adapt to bumpy or changing conditions.

6. Controlling Speed & Line Choice

🎯 “Control speed through turn shape, not by braking.”🎯 “Steeper terrain? Make rounded turns, don’t rush.”🎯 “On flatter runs, open up the turns and glide.”

👀 Why? Encourages fluid skiing instead of relying on sudden stops.

7. Angulation & Edge Engagement on Steeper Terrain

🎯 “Tip your skis and stack your body over the edges.”🎯 “More angulation = more grip.”🎯 “Your legs should move, not your upper body.”

👀 Why? Increases stability and control on steep runs.

8. Skiing with Efficiency & Flow

🎯 “Less effort, more speed—let the skis do the work.”🎯 “Smooth transitions—don’t fight the snow.”🎯 “Be confident—your skis are built for this!”

👀 Why? Helps skiers ski longer, faster, and with better control.

Now we’re entering the advanced skiing level, where skiers focus on precision carving, dynamic movement, moguls, off-piste skiing, steeps, and efficiency at higher speeds. This level is all about mastering edge control, balance, and terrain adaptation.

CSIA Level 2 – Advanced Skiing Progression

Focus Areas:

✔️ High-performance carving (strong edge angles, speed control)✔️ Steep terrain mastery (aggressive angulation, strong edging)✔️ Short turns for bumps & narrow terrain✔️ Off-piste skiing adaptation (powder, crud, mixed snow)✔️ Efficiency & fluidity at high speeds

1. Aggressive Athletic Stance & Stability

🎯 “Stay low, stay stacked—hips over feet, chest over knees.”🎯 “Hands always forward—strong upper body.”🎯 “Look ahead, not down—your skis follow your eyes.”

👀 Why? A strong stance is critical for advanced terrain, steeps, and bumps.

2. Advanced Carving & Edge Angulation

🎯 “Higher edge angles = more grip and speed control.”🎯 “Engage edges early—tip, grip, and let the ski do the work.”🎯 “Knees drive the edge, upper body stays stacked.”

👀 Why? Helps skiers carve with precision rather than skidding or losing speed control.

3. Dynamic Flexion & Extension (Power Turns)

🎯 “Flex low into the turn, explode out for power.”🎯 “Think of coiling a spring—store energy and release it.”🎯 “The bigger the turn, the bigger the movement.”

👀 Why? Generates momentum for smoother, more controlled skiing.

4. Mastering Steep Terrain

🎯 “Commit to the fall line—don’t hesitate.”🎯 “More angulation, stronger edge grip.”🎯 “Quicker edge transitions—steeps demand faster reaction time.”

👀 Why? Teaches skiers confidence and efficiency on black-diamond runs.

5. Short Turns for Bumps & Trees

🎯 “Quick, powerful movements—knees stay soft.”🎯 “Upper body quiet, legs do all the work.”🎯 “Absorb the bumps—let your skis move, not your torso.”

👀 Why? Improves skiing in moguls, tight trees, and variable terrain.

6. Off-Piste Adaptation (Powder & Crud)

🎯 “Stay centered—too far back and you’ll sink.”🎯 “Gentle edge pressure—let the skis float.”🎯 “Rhythm over force—powder skiing is about flow.”

👀 Why? Helps skiers adjust their technique for deep snow and ungroomed terrain.

7. Mastering High-Speed Control

🎯 “Bigger turns for speed control, no sudden movements.”🎯 “Pressure into the ski—stronger grip means more control.”🎯 “Quiet upper body—only legs should be active.”

👀 Why? Advanced skiers must control speed efficiently without excessive braking.

8. Efficiency & Flow – The Expert Mindset

🎯 “Less effort, more performance—let the skis do the work.”🎯 “Stay relaxed—tension wastes energy.”🎯 “Read the terrain—ski with intention.”

👀 Why? Expert skiers flow through terrain effortlessly, using physics rather than brute force.