The Daily Alaska empire., 1938-12-06

| constant references to ski SchOOl and ski instruction. And in tn,
 wilderness, oldtimers read abou such things and mutter to them.
 selves that no one had to bt taught how to ski when they were boy, people just naturally knew
 how. To make it still more puzzling there is the Alaskan who made 1O( miles in one day on skis, and there are also Alaskans who have skiec for many years who still could not descend winding trail at any
 speed without either frequent stops
 or else equally frequent falls.
 It means this-that anyone can put on skis and travel on them in a fairly straight line, and with practice, ride them down a steep slope without a fall. But it does not come naturally for people to use their skis as they would a pair of skates, and swing sharply at high speed from side to side It has taken many years for many skiers to evolve the simple fundamentals of controlled downhill skiing. And so while the ability to travel great distance rosS-country on skis de- bends largely on the ambition and endurance of the skier, the ability to ski under control down steep mountains is something that has to be learned, usually from some other skier who has already mastered the technique. Quite naturally in large winter sports resorts, there has arisen group of men who spec ialize in teaching downhill tech nique to those who wish to learn it.
 Is Not Difficult
 Skiing is not difficult-if it were, it would not have become the worlds leading winter sport in the last ten years, and Americas lead ing winter sport in the last two or three years. Skiing has more var iety than any sport there is. And in Alaska where snow is so pre- valent during many months of the year. it is only reasonable to expect that the majority of people will ski within year or so, if only because it is a sport that is also way of living that is, skiing is practical as well as fun.
 When you have bought your ski equipment. which will consist of four items, steel-edged skis, cable type bindings, special ski-boots and a pair of ski poles, there will be a few accessories still to buy. Wax is the essential. For easy skiing, you have to wax the running sur faces, and wax them differently according to the nature of the snow. A wax well applied will en- able you to- climb without slipping back and yet will give you maxi mum speed downhill Wax is a sub ject of argument for every skier, and no two think alike. A general rule is that the warmer the snow, the softer and stickier should be the wax you put on. That is only the beginning. There is base wax and surface wax. Lacquers based on airplane dope are in general use for base, over which, when dried, the running wax is applied Base wax or dope may remain on all winter, but running wax changes with the temperature of the snow.
 Don't Hurry
 When you set out to ski, do not hurry. Like walking, or dancing, or anything else, you cannot do it well if you are out of breath. Drag your ski poles behind you. rather than swinging them out in front, except when you are dog trotting on the level. There is no leverage for yours arms when your poles are way out in front. When they are thrust in the snow by the feet you can push on them effectively. When you walk on the level, slide your feet, don't pick them up. Take long steps, for with a little practice, it is no more tiring than to take short ones, and you will cover twice the distance.
 When you slide down your first hill, pick gentle one with an easy run-out. Don't try to turn, the first few slides, but just get used to the feeling of moving down the hill. Bend your knees and your ankles all you can, so that you are leaning well forward. Do NOT let your tail-surfaces stick out behind you, as if you do, the first good bump will set you on them. Most beginners do this because they are trying to lean forward as they have been advised, and at the same time their instincts are still trying to make them lean back wards, so they compromise, and push their head way out in front and squat, with the result that their balance is about where it would have been if they just stood up straight.
 Easy Way to Learn
 There is an easy way to find out how to stand on skis for downhill running Put your back against a wall-any wall will do. You must touch the heels. Now begin to bend the knees, but keeping the heels touching the wall and flat