How to Ski Jump

If you are an experienced skier and would like to take your skiing to the next level or start learning some freestyle tricks or extreme moves, you must learn to master the ski jump. The ski jump is the most basic of all ski tricks. Your weight, the size of the ramp and the type of ski will determine the distance of your jump.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ski area with a ramp
• Helmet
• Experience skiing
• Skis, boots and poles

Perform a Ski Jump

1. Start on a small ramp that will only get you a couple of feet into the air. You must master some of the techniques of a ski jump before you go for the distance. The smaller the ramp, the better you can practice your beginning and ending positions.

2. Gather speed when going down the hill toward the ramp. Ski straight with the ramp directly in front of you. Keep your poles up under your arms once you feel you have a good speed going.

3. Glide over the ramp at a consistent speed. Remember to keep your knees slightly bent at all times. Just before you exit the ramp end, do a little squat and try to point your skis up.

4. Keep your knees bent and your feet together with skis parallel while you are in the air. Keep your body stiff and do not change the direction of your skis in any way.

5. Continue to bend your knees on the landing. In fact, you will be landing in a squat position. From there you will rotate your skis in a forward motion from right to left to finish the trail.

Tips & Warnings

• It is recommended that skiers who are beginning to train with ramps and jumps wear a ski helmet. Some ski areas may even require one.
• You should have achieved an intermediate to advanced level of skiing before trying any ramp tricks.
• Smaller children (about 12 years and under) are usually required to be supervised in the freestyle terrain area.
• Children are required to wear helmets when skiing in most states.
• Be sure that there are no other skiers below the ramp when you jump. You can severely injure another skier with careless actions.
• When you ski to the chairlift, you should slow down. There are usually signs posted. Failure to follow this basic ski rule will result in eviction from the ski area.

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