AY Honors/Skiing Downhill/Answer Key/es

Esquí alpino
Asociación General Actividades recreacionales	Destreza: 2 Año de introducción: 1938

Requisitos

IMPORTANTE

1

Conocer las ventajas y desventajas de esquís acampanados y rectos.

2

¿Cómo el borde curvo de los esquís ayuda al esquiador a dar los giros?

The side cut helps because the skier can dig into the snow with the sides when "carving" along the trail.

3

¿Qué normas generales debería utilizar en la selección de la correcta longitud de los esquís y bastones para usted mismo?

At the time of the original downhill skiing honor the standard for ski size was as follows: The skis you use have to be to your elbow or to your wrist with an up arm stretch depending on how big you are. If you are heavy you should use long skis that reach to your wrist and if you are lightweight then you should use short skis that reach to your elbow.

4

Conocer los diseños de botas y cómo estas características puede afectar a su esquí.

The boot is the skier's vital link to the ski. The boot's design helps it to clip onto the boot and keeps it from twisting and turning. It gives the skier less stress knowing he doesn't have to worry about his skis falling off. It must allow the skier to flex forward firmly and comfortably. They must make the skier's feet warm in all climates, and they must be able to last several seasons.

5

¿Por qué es importante el apropiado ajuste de la bota del esquí? ¿Qué determina el ajuste adecuado?

A binding adjustment is a useful feature of the ski. Without it the skier would fall off the ski and slide around.

6

Conocer lo que es una correa de seguridad o freno de esquí y explicar su propósito.

Safety straps and ski breaks have two major purposes. The first purpose is to keep the ski near the skier to keep him from losing the ski in the case that it comes off and slides down a slope. Otherwise, the skier will be stranded, or at least experience a greatly increased time in reaching the eventual destination. The second purpose is to keep the ski from becoming a moving hazard to other skiers. If no ski straps or break was on a ski, it would continue moving until something else stopped it. During its trip, it could move into the path of other skiers, causing them to make abrupt stops and turns, collide with objects or other people, or simply fall themselves. Any of these actions could cause injury to those other skiers.

7

¿Qué debe hacer si usted llega hacia un esquiador herido que todavía no ha recibido ayuda alguna?

If you see an injured skier, even from a distance, you should stop and help. If you are with a partner, one of you should go for ski patrol while the other stays with the person. If they are in a ski well, help them get their skis off. The potential of needing to know where to send help is a good reason to always keep track of what run you are on.

8

Discutir y efectuar buenas prácticas deportivas en las zonas de esquí.

9

¿Qué cuidados se debe dar el equipo de esquí después de su uso? ¿Qué se debe hacer con el equipo de esquí antes de su uso cada temporada?

The original honor did not specify what equipment, but the South Pacific variant lists the following:

If you leave your boots outside with the liners in, the liners will not only not dry, but the plastic shells will become stiff, making them extremely hard to get into, uncomfortable to ski in and in turn leaving your toes very, very cold.

Store your boots in a dry place with the buckles buckled and straps strapped to help the plastic shell to retain its shape.

d. Helmets

Based on: http://www.snowsafe.org.au/clothing.htm

Helmets may make a difference in reducing or preventing head injuries. Many skiers and snowboarders are choosing to wear them. However, helmets do have limits and users need to be aware that wearing a helmet does not eliminate the risk of head injury.

In addition to offering an added degree of protection, snow sports helmets are now designed to be lightweight, comfortable, warm & fashionable.

Snow sports helmets are insulated for cold weather and provide better coverage and impact protection than other sports helmets, such as bicycle helmets. Be sure that the helmet you choose meets current recognised snow sport helmet design standards.

Care and Maintenance of helmets

Helmets should be replaced after a serious impact that may compromise the structure of the helmet. Helmet manufacturers recommend that helmets be replaced every 3-5 years irrespective of impact damage. Like all ski equipment helmets should be cleaned and dried where necessary and stored in a cool dry place.

e. Ski poles

Based on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_pole

Ski poles are used by skiers to improve balance and timing as well as for propulsion. Early ski poles were simply sticks, then bamboo (1930s), then steel (1940s and early 1950s). In 1958, Ed Scott invented the aluminium ski pole. Now, composite ski poles are much lighter and stronger than aluminium poles, though aluminium poles are still one of the main types of ski pole on the market.

In the days before turning techniques had been properly developed, skiers would use poles for hunting: one pole would be for balance/braking and the other pole would have a sharpened tip or a spear head to be used as a spear.

In modern skiing one pole is held in each hand. Near the end of the shaft, there is a circular ‘basket’ attached to stop the pole from sinking significantly into deep snow. These can range from being small, aerodynamic cones used in racing, to large snowflake shaped baskets which are used in powder skiing.

Attached to the upper part of the pole is a grip with a strap, either fastened to the pole or detachable. These are usually slipped over the wrist to improve the skiers hold on the grip and to prevent the loss of the pole in the event of a fall. When skiing backcountry (off piste), the wrist strap is not normally used, because there is a risk of wrist injury if the pole should catch on an unseen branch or root.

There are certain methods to getting the right ski pole. For alpine skiing, the pole is placed with the grip on the ground. The skier then grips the pole right under the basket. The skiers elbow should form a right angle. If the skier's elbow is in a smaller angle the pole is too long, and if the skiers elbow is at an angle larger than 90 degrees, the pole is too short.

Care and Maintenance of ski poles

Ski poles should be cleaned and dried after each use. They should be inspected for an obvious damage. Damaged ski pole baskets, grips and straps should be replaced.

f. Skin and Eye Protection

Sunburn can be a serious problem, even on cloudy days. Always use a good sunscreen with a high SPF (sun protection factor) to protect skin exposed to direct or reflected sunlight. To protect your eyes from the glare off the snow (which can lead to ‘snow blindness’) the use of high quality sunglasses or goggles is essential.

If you are dependent on spectacles or contact lenses, carry a spare pair in case you lose or damage them while skiing.

Care and Maintenance of Goggles

When you get snow on your goggles, don't wipe them off with your glove or rag. Snow is made of abrasive ice crystals which will scratch the goggle lenses. It is best to shake the snow off, let them dry off naturally or use a special lens cloth to wipe them clean.

Fogging - make sure you use a special cloth to wipe the inside of your goggle lenses also. There are actual fog cloths that can do some good. It is best to let air get to them and dry naturally. Again, you don't want to scratch the inside of your lenses either.

If you have problems with your goggle lenses popping out regularly, try a simple silicon sealer to hold them in place. Then simply put your goggles back in their goggle bag when not in use. This protects them especially from the dreaded crease or crack. Goggles should last a long time is cared for. It also of course depends on the quality of the goggles you purchase. Better lenses last longer, cheaper goggles don't usually hold up to normal wear and tear.

g. Appropriate clothing, including layering

Alpine weather is unpredictable and a fine sunny day can quickly deteriorate into cold, wet, high wind or blizzard conditions. Your clothing, therefore, must be versatile and you should have ready access to protective clothing. Clothing can be divided into two layers:

• The inner, insulating layers.
• The outer, windproof and waterproof layer.

Inner Insulating Layers:

In cold weather these are the most important layers. Several thin layers that trap air and are made of material that will stay warm, even when wet, are better than a couple of thick bulky layers. The number of insulating layers you wear depends on the weather and the activity you are participating in. Wearing thermal underwear will also help insulate against the cold. Wool is a good natural fibre and manufactured fibres such as polypropylene and fibre pile are also effective. Cotton undergarments perform poorly in cold and wet conditions.

Outer Waterproof Layer:

Staying dry and reducing the effects of wind chill are important, therefore your jacket and over-pants should be waterproof and windproof. The outer layer also helps to insulate by trapping warm air next to the body. If you don't have your own windproof and waterproof outer clothing you can hire them from most ski hire outlets.

It is important to wear a warm hat as significant body heat is lost from the head. Woollen or synthetic socks and gloves should also be worn.

Never wear jeans or cotton/vinyl gloves as these do not give proper protection against wind, rain or snow.

Care and Maintenance of Clothing

• Check your ski clothing for salt residues, grit or dirt before you put items away. If you leave the dirt on, you could reduce the effectiveness of the fabric technology. Don’t forget the gloves!
• Close main zips and pit zips but open pocket zips and release the tension in any elastic drawstrings.
• To clean garments, always follow the care instructions provided.
• Do not use fabric softeners on outerwear as this can affect the breathability of the fabric.
• To renew the efficacy of DWR (Durable Water Repellent) fabrics in outerwear, tumble-dry them at a medium heat for 30-40 minutes after washing. DWR fabrics are reactivated with heat.

10

Esquiar colinas medianas bajo control y ejecutar virajes/vueltas en buena forma.

Practice on the beginner slopes until you are ready to demonstrate your skills. Pathfinders need to demonstrate that they can comfortably ski an intermediate slope on a regular basis. It would be expected that the skills displayed would include starting turns in a wedge and ending the turn parallel, adequate stopping techniques and control over ski direction at all times.

It is anticipated that a Pathfinder would have over 20 hours of skiing experience to be at this level of skiing. At all times the Pathfinder should comply with the Alpine Responsibility Code.

11

Saber cómo montarse y bajarse de manera correcta de un teleférico, barras tipo T o barras tipo J y demostrar a través de la experiencia, sin poner en peligro a usted o a otras personas, su capacidad para montar en estos equipos.

Instructions to load on a chairlift 1. Pick a suitable mountain for your ski level, and a suitable lift on that mountain. Most lifts have signs indicating what levels (green/blue/black/red) of trails that lift services. 2. Put your skis on. Grab your poles, but don't put your hands into the straps. 3. Get in line for the lift; the higher up the mountain the lift goes, the faster the chair lift may move. 4. Glide your way to the lifting area and keep your poles close to you. 5. Stop on the marked line. 6. If you'll be sitting on the left, put both poles in your right hand, and look over your left shoulder. If you'll be sitting on the right, do the opposite. If you'll be sitting in the middle, do it either way. 7. Bend your knees slightly because the chair (lift) will hit them, but this is normal. 8. As the chair approaches, you may want to reach for it with your free hand. 9. Sit down when the lift touches the backs of your knees. 10. Pull the metal bar down over you as a seat belt and you are on your way to the trail. 11. Sit back in your chair and do not rock the chair.

Instructions to unload off a chairlift 1. Watch the big towers for signs because they may give you information when you are close to the top. 2. Lift the metal bar off of you when the unloading area sign on the towers says to. 3. Double check to make sure you have all your belongings and nothing is caught on the chair. 4. Make sure your scarf is not loose. 5. Slide forward in the chair and point the tips of your skis upward. 6. When you reach the unload area and your skis are touching the ground completely , lean forward slightly over your skis and stand up once you have balance on both skis, the lift will give you a little push. 7. Glide your way off the unloading area quickly. Do not attempt to stop with a snowplough in the unload area - your skis will cross the person's next to you and you will probably both fall. Ski away from the other people, then stop if you want to. 8. Choose the right trail because sometimes there are many to choose from, with different skill levels (colours).

Remember to lift up your skis when getting on and off a chairlift. Your skis can catch in the snow and easily pull you off the chair. Be sure to take your ski poles off your wrists but make sure you keep a good hold on them so you don't drop one on a person below the lift. When getting off, always look before you go down the little hill. A less experienced boarder or skier could have fallen and you do not want to run into them.

After skiing the mountain, give a report on it and fulfill a major requirement for the Mountains Honor.

References

The South Pacific Division has a variation of this honor with useful resources and some alternative requirements: https://honours.adventistconnect.org/skiing-downhill-1 This resource is the source of the equipment discriptions and care information and the skier responsibility code presented here.