Now let's look at the skiing of the public in a very general sense. First of all the role of ski instruction has changed dramatically over the years. In the past there was a need to take lessons. Changes in areas such as equipment and grooming mitigated that need at least in the eyes of the public. The result has been that many many skiers are either self taught, taught by friends or take a beginner lesson and then are self taught.
Now let's look at the public's performance on the hill in a general sense. Their skiing can best be described as pivoting t a skid or windshield wiper turns or Z turns. They use a variety of releases from picking skis up to big up movements. But they all use massive rotary movements. There may be upper body rotation at initiation as well. But the end result is that tail does not follow the tip. They cannot make round turns.
Now let's tie this back to how they are learning. They are self taught or taught be friends. ( Let's hope to god this is true because if it isn't ski instruction in the NA is a real failure). The twisting of their bodies or feet ends in a bad result. It is clearly a movement pattern that comes naturally to them. They instinctively know how to throw their skis sideways. So why oh why does PSIA teach people from the first wedge turn to turn their feet? Shouldn't they be taught how to balance on an edge. release the edge and use the ski?
How long will it take PSIA to back peddle out of the steering hole they've dug and continue to dig for themselves? It took them about 10 years on the stance issue.
