Ski Tip provided by the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance

Have you skied on a flat-light day or a foggy one? A day where you can’t even see the tips of your skis let alone the terrain ahead? Even on terrain you’re completely comfortable with, a run that you ski every day which is well within your ability, you can still find yourself feeling unbalanced and apprehensive.

In reality, the number of bluebird ski days in a season can be fewer than the days with flat light, cloud or fog. Here are a few tips to help you gauge your speed and the terrain.

1. It’s better to go too slowly than too fast. Make sure that your skis turn across the slope. A lower, more stable stance as well as shorter turns are great tactics to apply.
2. Ski alongside trees if possible to help you see the terrain as well as helping you sense your overall speed.
3. Ski with a friend that you trust and don’t forget to ski just a bit behind them and off to the side. You will be able to see how they adjust to the terrain.
4. Drag your outside pole through most of the turn as this will keep you in the middle of the outside ski.

Skiing tentatively will often result in your feeling rigid and cause you to sit back, potentially with your weight on the inside ski. Instead, try to ski aggressively, but reduce your speed to compensate for the lack of visibility.