Where and When?

The basic skiing course took place in the area around Evje from the 3^rd of March to the 7^th of March. We stayed at the Syrtveit Hostel at TrollAktiv. For the skiing course did we go to Gautestad which is nearby. Snow and weather conditions were not perfect. It was snow-raining all week therefore the snow was very heavy. This made it hard for everybody especially the beginners to move around in deep snow. It also made the waxing really hard.

Learning outcomes

The main learning outcomes for the basic skiing-course were:

To improve personal skiing technique
to learn how to teach backcountry-skiing
to be able to move on skies in different terrain
be able to plan and carry out skiing trips by yourself

About trollaktiv

TrollAktiv turns 20 this year. Tim Davis founded it in 1994 under the name TrollMountain. It is now the biggest Outdoor-Activity Company in Norway. They offer over 20 activities (rafting, canoeing, climbing, elg safari, paint ball, group dynamics, mountainbiking, …) with the big advantage of the River Otra, Byglandsfjorden and the forest directly nearby.

If you want to work at TrollAktiv or another Outdoor Company in Norway, the company is responsible for checking your abilities and skills in the different working fields. There is no qualification system for outdorr-activities in Norway. This is different to other European countries (for example France).

First aid in the mountains

Some things are always the same. In first aid this the basic principle of the order of things that you have to do. First comes the scene size up, then primary assessment.

What your first aid package for a mountain trip should contain:

“Ordinary” first aid items (tape, disinfection, compression bandage, plasters, bandage, …)
Rescue blanket
duck tape
something for CPR
sam splint (you could also use the shovel or a skiing stick or a branch for splints)
phone/spot

In the mountains you have to be creative when it comes to first aid. Sometimes you just don´t have exactly what you would need in a situation. Then you have to find a solution to your problem. A good first aid package contains stuff, that can be used in a lot of different situations (like the sam splint). One thing for example, if you are on a climbing trip and you have a rope with you, you could use it for transport.

“Adaption and improvisation are key.” (Langmuir 2013, p. 244).

Daypack packing and preparation

Outdoor activities and outdoor life are dependent on the weather. The weather is one thing that we as outdoor people can not change – we can only try to handle it best as possible – dress and pack according to weather. But to be able to do so, we have to check the weather forecast. This is a very important part of the preparation. The Norwegian homepage is: www.yr.no

However, packing according to weather should be handled carefully since sometimes ends fatally if you don´t take into account that the weather can change dramatically in a short period of time. Also it is hard to pack according to weather on a longer trip.

Your daypack for skiing day under normal conditions should contain:

whistle
first-aid
compass
goggles
spare jacket
spare gloves
shovel

When packing a backpack for skiing you have to put the heavy stuff down, as makes keeping your balance easier.

About waxing – ski preparation

In general: all the wax has to be put on in thin layers, since it also wears off in layers. So if you have on thick layer, it will be gone all together whereas thin layers wear off one after the other. Every wax comes in around 3 layers. The wax color defines it´s softness which has to be chosen depending on the snow temperature. The warmer the snow is, the softer has the wax to be so that it actually gives the skier grip.

First put green or white wax as a base layer all over the ski. This will provide gliding in the tip and tail area and will also mix with the grip wax in the grip zone.

The most important thing about waxing is the grip. If a ski doesn´t grip a tour will not be fun. It is also the hardest thing especially when the snow temperature is around zero degrees. The grip zone is the middle third of the ski. It is the area, that the skier uses to kick himself forward. If the chosen wax does not grip, you first make the grip zone bigger by applying wax further. If it still not grips, a different wax has to be used and the two have to be mixed by rubbing in circles.

This way of waxing is Tim Davis´ way. When it comes to waxing a lot of different people have different principles and experiences.

Skiing techniques

There are basically three different techniques: classic, skating and telemark. In earlier days people used to do all three techniques with one pair of skis. Nowadays there is a different ski for every technique. But you still find skis that are made for a versatile use – our back country skis are such all-rounders.

Classic: This is the easiest and most used technique (especially when backcountry skiing). It is also named “kick and glide” or “diagonal stride”. For this technique your skis have to have a grip zone. Either the ski already has one or you have to use wax to create a grip zone (see Waxing). The grip zone is the middle third of your ski where you apply pressure to when standing on it to glide the other ski forward. When gliding forward the left ski you use your right ski stick and vice verca – this is why it is called diagonal stride. You try to push your leg as far forward as possible, opening your hip a little. Don´t lift your when pulling it forward, this will cost you energy that you could save. Just pull it with your attached toes.

Skating: Skating is much faster than classic, but it also is much more challenging for the skier. When skating you place your flat ski on the ground and glide it diagonally outwards. The track should look like a V. For this technique you don´t need a grip zone but snow that isn´t too deep. The herringbone looks like a slow/walked skating stride but for it you need to turn your knees inward so that your ski will carve into the hillside. You use the herringbone for climbing up hills that are too steep for going up classic because your wax will not grip after a certain steepness. The herringbone-V-pattern prevents the skier from gliding back down the hill.

Telemark: The telemark technique is mainly used when going downhill because it is a very stable position. It is stable because the body balance point is lowered and the ground area is widened which means that you can move your balance point forth and back easily without losing your balance. To go into the telemark position you have to slide one leg forward while bending the knee and the other leg backwards while bending the knee. The telemark is also a way to make turns. In deep and heavy snow this is the only way to turn.

3 ways of initiating turns:

Edge
Weight
Turn the feet

Different turns:

step turn: lift your skies and make small steps to turn around.
kick turn: you place one ski 180° around, bring your weight on it, and then let the other ski follow. Two steps.
Telemark: as described above you go into the telemark position while turning your feet. The outer ski slides forward the inner one backwards.
Plow: the plow looks like a V that is turned upside down. This means that you bring your skitips together and bend your knees inward so that the edges of your ski will brake into the snow.

Games/exercises for teaching skiing:

Small jumps
Bumbs and ditches
Jumping
Catching games
Find tracks through the forest

In general: “It is important that the size of the area matches the number of skiers. Everybody should be active at all times, to eliminate waiting time. Avoid long ques. Have less skiers on the course. Run other activities on the side for the ones who are not using course. Make use of the natural features in the terrain. The level of difficulty must be adjusted to match the skier’s age and skills.” From: Barnas.skiklubb.no – skifun! Activities for children and youth. For more ideas follow the last link.

Accomplishment of learning outcomes?

Improved skiing techniques: yes
Learn how to teach skiing: a little – we have learned some games and a little about technique adjustments.
Be able to move in different terrains: yes, due to the hard snow conditions I also learned a lot about moving in different snow and using different techniques according to the condition.
Be able to plan and carry out trips: I think that I knew most of it already, but some important details were added to experience – like waxing. I also got some new input and ideas about first aid in the mountains.

To sum it up I would say, that my main learning outcome is, that I feel a lot more confident on the skis and about technique and I had fun exploring the possibilities on skis.