Which method should instructors use to teach beginners?

A good instructor needs to thoroughly understand both ski theory and teaching methods, but even more importantly, they should adapt their lesson plans for each slope and the unique challenges their students might face, rather than rigidly applying one single method everywhere. Today, Coach Frog will demonstrate leg rotation teaching, and Coach Phil will explain it all below:

The other day, a ski group was discussing two beginner teaching approaches: leg rotation and outside ski pressure. I joined the discussion, and here’s a summary.

For ski beginners, the initial “full-brake turn” (also called snowplow, wedge, or pizza), there are typically two main teaching approaches: leg rotation (Rotary) and outside ski pressure. The latter is a bit more vague—could be edge or pressure control, or weight shift. In the APSI system, we emphasize a combination of both, a fusion concept. I don’t think any ski organization believes you can turn with just one or the other.

One friend made a great point: “use pressure with a wide stance, rotation with a narrow stance.” I’ve observed the same. But really, this comes down to the slope: on a steep slope where students lack confidence, they naturally use a wide wedge to control speed. On a gentle, slow slope, a narrower wedge is more likely, since that’s how students learned to brake. In short, the size of the wedge reflects the student’s response to the terrain.

So, if you want to teach leg rotation, you *must* get a gentle, flat slope; otherwise, students will be too scared and stuck in a wide wedge, making rotation impossible. On a busier or slightly steeper slope, teaching outside ski pressure (weight shift) often works better. In the Australian system, choosing the right slope is so important that I sometimes think picking the terrain is the most critical part of teaching! Of course, you need to know the theory before you can choose the right slope.

In short, both approaches are valuable, but different slopes give different results. For example, at Smiggins in Perisher (Australia), there’s a magic carpet, gentle slopes, and a j-bar—ideal for any method. But at Naeba (Japan) last season, after a flat beginner slope (that required walking), the easiest lift took you to a slope that was a bit steep, even challenging with a big wedge. There, I started with braking, then single turns (focusing on rotation), then took students up the lift to practice traversing—great for learning to balance on the downhill ski and adapt to the steeper pitch. Only after a few traverses did we return to wedge turns, blending in those traverse movements to reinforce balance and proper weight shift.

A great instructor understands both the theory and the need to tailor lessons to the terrain and student needs, not just blindly follow a script.

In the end, the real goal of ski teaching is for students to become independent skiers—safe, happy, and confident without needing us anymore. Our job is to get them there efficiently, safely, and with a smile.

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