Some Basic Points about Snow Skiing Techniques
There are many types of skiing for the ski enthusiast even though the first thought in your mind when you hear skiing would be snow. However, there is water skiing, grass skiing, and even sand skiing. Of course, these are all derivatives of the snow skiing techniques, but these are fun too, nonetheless.
When it comes to snow skiing, you could ski on one ski or two and you could adopt any of the two major types of snow skiing techniques, i.e. the Nordic or Alpine. The Nordic snow skiing techniques involves cross-country skiing while the Alpine snow skiing techniques involves skiing downhill.
You will find that not only the techniques, but also the equipment would differ greatly between these two styles of skiing. Nonetheless, many skiers as you could too, learn and practice both the styles with equal ease.
Nordic and Alpine Snow Skiing Techniques
In the Nordic style the boots need to be attached to the skis only at the head (toes end) while the heel side is left free for easier maneuvering. This would help you use the striding movement, as dictated by the Nordic snow skiing techniques. On the other hand, with the Alpine style the skis would be firmly attached to the boots so it would allow you to catch speed and maneuverability when you come down the mountain.
The skis are different as well. You will find that the Nordic style requires highly flexible low cut boots, with thin and long type of skis while the Alpine style would require that the boots are as rigid as could be tolerated with shorter skis. There is not much variation other than the terrain with the Nordic style; however with the Alpine style you have plenty to choose from.
There are many variations in the Alpine style of skiing the most popular of which are power skiing, moguls and backcountry skiing. The power skiing, as the name amply indicates means using speed to come down the slopes, which is the best of all as it provides you with all the excitement that skiing stands for. When you watch this on TV you would think that the coming down is effortless - however, it takes years of practice before you can perfect this style.
The mogul is skiing down a mountain slope that has many bumps. This is a great variation as well, but very dangerous and should not be attempted unless you are sure that you could stay in control. Lastly, the backcountry skiing is just as the name indicates - skiing in uncharted places. This could be extremely dangerous if you have an accident or get lost.
