I learned to ski at a ski resort in Norway, where the mountains were more like steep slopes, and the longest runs were half a mile, narrow strips cut through the birches. Make short turns and slalom ski racing was the order of the day. Arriving in the European Alps, I was surprised to find huge open slopes rolling down the mountains for miles. Here we spend time doing a lot of racing giant slalom skiing and long sweeping turns.

Speed, however, is potentially dangerous on a track like a loaded gun in the hands of a period of five years of age, unless we know how to use it. How many times have you been running? How often do you meet someone else? How many times have you seen people totally out of control Careering head for the mountains?

How fast do you think of skiing at the time except when entering the abdomen in the bottom of the blue trail? 10, 20, 30 mph? You will probably not go much over 30 mph, but have you thought how well it would be after hitting a tree, even at this speed? Even at 30 mph you have to look out for people, rocks, and snow machines, etc., but how will anticipate these problems at 50, 60 or even 70 mph? The fat lady with lilac shell suit may be two hundred yards ahead, pattern, but how to avoid it at 60 mph? It may be funny in the bar afterwards, recalling how he went straight to the front of your skis in the air for the love of God, shouting "Banzai".

An alternative, which happens, is that both end in a wooden box.

Now is a common practice in some ski resorts in the country to ski Breathalyser who dangerously so this suggests a direct comparison with driving a car: Be aware of speed – Keep your distance – Beware others – Know to their response time – Know your stopping distance – Slow down in heavy traffic. As head of the skiers to be presenting these comparisons of distance to become instinctive and do not need to think again. Then we can apply ourselves to the technique safely.

Before attempting to ski fast to be asking yourself this: "Am I competent enough to make fast laps controlled without endangering myself and any another person in the vicinity? ". If you have not already read the article that talks about their level of capability (" the five ages of Skiing '), do so after reading this. If you feel you qualify under the category of "proficient" conscious, then a walk!

For all the fast turns to choose a good range blue run empty in a weekend house on Monday, when they are gone. Make sure you can see all the clues that will practice before stopping. It does not take more than 25 degrees, for starters. No lost weekend hidden behind hills or snow-blowing machines up round the blind corners? Good. Unless you put something hot in glasses. There is nothing worse than being blinded by tears at speed.

And, finally, remember the most important rule. Never off-piste skiing fast in a crowded or where there is a possibility of colliding with someone.

Simon Dewhurst has taught downhill skiing in North America, Scandinavia and the European Alps for 35 years. He currently runs a ski chalet agency in the French Alps. His book “Secrets of Better Skiing” can be found at http://www.ski-jungle.com. If you have any comments about the above article, he will be happy to answer them.

Snowfix #27 – Skiing & snowboarding