How to ski the powder progression

[@MB-zd2el]

I was an instructor for many years and I have to say she is a FANTASTIC ski instructor. Her energy, ability to explain skills, technical ability etc.. Very well done

[@henrygerwien186]

...energy: I think, Bruce Willis, Hulk and George Foreman in union would have big problems in fighting her!

[@rezlivley]

I live in Colorado (Powder Counitry) and this lesson helped me so much. I am relatively new to skiing About 7 years now, having grown up in Alabama for most of my life. Nice for an x instructor to see such benefit in this posting. I will go tomorrow for 15 plus inches is forecast in the next few days starting early AM at Monarch Mountain where I ski.

[@osulxa]

I’ve watched countless videos on this topic and this instructor is the only one who gets it right. Deb does an amazing job of describing the correct technical aspect and proper Sensation of skiing soft or deep snow. This video changed my entire form and ultimately, made me a more confident and capable skier.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Love it. Awesome!!

[@janel7284]

BRAVO, Deb! I've watched countless ski vids and she is crystal clear and succinct with instructions. she's not spewing everything she knows, only the most important points for optimal technical performance in every scenario she's highlighting. LOVE DEB!!

[@hellocrappy]

I'm jealous of those kids... learning to ski powder at 8 years old! She is an awesome instructor, too.

[@sammora470]

Bro it doesnt matter how old you are anyone can ski powder, any age any ability, the most important thing when skiing ANYTHING is confidence.

[@muralikrishnanms1992]

And moguls

[@BrokeAgain]

they have the money and time :)

[@michaelgay7649]

She is a champion:))

[@devinmadren1819]

No kidding. I moved to Colorado when I was 21. Didn't pick up skiing till ten years later. No lessons just KZbin videos lol. This lady has taught me a lot.

[@normferguson2769]

As an ex-ski patrol I tried to explain the bounce to a friend who was mid-level. He didn’t get it. This video showed me a better way to explain it. Thanks Deb.

[@douglast3410]

pretty amazing that a gold medalist can not only be a complete student of the sport but also a wonderful teacher. this video is a gift.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Ah. Sweet. Pass the video along😄

[@bryanhuang8846]

Thanks! Clear and straightforward instructions!!

[@dresdenjblue]

This is fantastic. Maybe the best ski instruction video I've ever seen. Thank you!

[@wishbone569]

I agree with that comment

[@adv_jaco7883]

I am a total beginner skier, and your videos Deb are just AMAZING. I love the way you approach teaching and coaching. Only a few can be great at what they do AND also teach it and pass it to others. Congrats!

[@erikooi4651]

Just seeing this video for the first time. By far one of the best ski instruction videos I've seen. Great technical explanation and dumbed down so I can understand it while also seeing the visual demos. Thanks so much, Bravo!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Fantastic! Glad you like. Pass it along😊😊. I look forward to hearing your comments on the other videos. Take care.

[@stevensongstad2147]

Deb: Very good instructional video. I suspect the two Beauregard kids have sprouted some more and are even more accomplished skiers. I read a lot of the other comments here and I realize most if not all are not aware that you are Winter Olympian Debbie Armstrong Gold Medalist from the 1984 Sarajevo Olympic Games. The games in which Deb won Gold, Christin Cooper won silver and Phil and Steve Mahre took Gold and Silver in the slalom. Count your blessings that Deb has committed her professional life to this incredible sport.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Very nice. Thank you

[@stevensongstad2147]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong . I have taught in Sun Valley for many years. I have skied Cristin"s silver many times and ride Armstrong express at Alpental when ever I visit the mainland or pass through Seattle on the way to Sun Valley. Rock on!

[@Den221255]

Wow, one day I would love to meet you. I didn’t know of you so in searching the web I discovered just what makes you tick. You are one of those rare people who God has given an incredible gift too that you use absolutely selflessly for others!! I loved it when I saw you were not just against drugs but also alcohol, perhaps the worst drug of all As a past Head of Physical Education and avid skier for years, like others I quickly came realise just how proficient you were at teaching those young kids in powder. In all my years, I truly have not seen a better educator who then I read gave free ski lessons in the morning. If you are ever in New Zealand, SUMMER OR WINTER please feel free to contact my wife Sue and I and we would love to host you for free and perhaps pay back some of the enormous amount of time you have so freely given in your life to others!!!!! Regards Dennis and Sue Anderson Email [e-mail]. ( we no longer operate as such as we are now truly retired but that was our email address that we have just kept)

[@CakewalkHootenanny]

This lady is a terrific teacher. I wish she was my instructor

[@teresabuck3305]

CakewalkHootenanny great teacher

[@rodneybadger5292]

I agree with previous comment. I’ve skied for 50 years, professionally and as a Master Racer and long time Ski Patrol. Great video. You have a unique ability to teach in a very understandable fashion. I’m a new subscriber. Keep it up

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

Absolutely great powder lesson. I have been retired and skiing Alta, UT for the last six seasons. I am fortunate to ski with a group of local powder hounds so I know good technician skiing when I watched this video. Before I retired I was Teacher and tennis professional so I recognized great teaching by Deb Armstrong. I love her methods and positive reinforcement of her students. If you want to improve your powder skills just follow her instructions and do the drills and practice the progressions. Top notch world class coaching.

[@stevedoe1630]

thomas medeiros If I come out to Little Cottonwood Canyon, can I join you and the hounds? ⛷

[@nikonfme]

I've been skiing for many, many years and watching Debra's videos have added some drills for me to focus on. Back to basics, right? Its sometime the little things that you forget that set you back. Great job!

[@grantbarnard2086]

Yeah, Deb! Love it. One thing to add...some folks actually teach leaning back to get tips up in the powder, but as you point out, not so cuz you lose your centering and athletic stance over the boots (can't jump). If you really want tips up, flex the ankles in the boot, keeping your weight over those boots.

[@nycskiped]

I can't even begin to tell you the so many reasons why I enjoy these clips so much but I want you to know that I do. Thanks for the time and care in making and posting them.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thank you

[@paulme8681]

Awesome camera work. Notice everyone's hands, quiet, and in front of their chest, reaching down the hill, keeping their weight foward. A pleasure to watch.

[@3108b]

Great video. These kids are amazing. Deb Armstrong taught us at the ski clinic but we couldn’t execute her instructions like these kids. ⛷

[@Mrgohomer]

Yes, an excellent 101 introduction to powder with bumps. As a coach and instructor in Canada, we all know having 2 students like this sure makes for a lot of fun along with the new snow and terrain. This coach sure has the knowledge, and I would say it's Deb Armstrong from the U.S. Ski Team!

[@neilmeiskey5482]

HI Deb, I am 69 years old and don't get to ski a lot but love it. This video is amazing, I have only been lucky enough (or unlucky enough, lol) to ski powder three times in my life. In about 8 inches over a groomed surface: it was heavenly.......the other times hell for me because I had no clue what I was doing (40 inches over an ungroomed surface at VAil). Your description and teaching to those youngsters gives me hope that if I get caught in it again I can use your advice to at least survive. I suppose a lesson with you would be miraculous! I am basically in the east coast, but maybe someday?, lol Thank you!!!!!

[@mrsmartypants_1]

Damn fine instruction Deb. Damn fine. As a midwestern slalom skier who skied the ice and moguls from age 8 to 15 (1960’s-1970’s) I dreamed of skiing bottomless pow every night before going to bed staring into my iconic Vail and Aspen posters tacked on the walls around my bed. It seemed like an impossible unattainable fairyland. Then it happened. Two friends and I somehow convinced our parents to let us skip school and go on a 7-day Steamboat trip. No adults. Steamboat was just starting to promote itself outside of CO as an ultimate ski destination and had put together full package deals promoted far and wide by northern state travel agencies. There of course was no internet back then. The deal included airfare to Denver. A light plane shuttle to the local Steamboat airport a couple miles out of town. A shuttle bus to the brand new 3-story condo complex 100 yards from their new gondola where we stayed. 6 days of lift tickets. And return trip back home. Total package price: $229.00 lol. No food included. At that time there were less than 20 commercial buildings/establishments that made up Steamboat Village. Here’s what we didn’t know as there was no internet. 2 nights before our flight to Denver it had snowed 4 ft in Steamboat. The local airport had been closed 2 days due to deep drifting snow. Our shuttle was the first plane given the go ahead to land in Steamboat. We experienced zero delay. Pure luck. No one mentioned any of this to us. Coming in for a landing around noon I said, “Wow there sure is a lot of snow here!” Naively thinking this is how it always is. Just like the posters. 2 more shuttle planes landed after us that day. Total skiers who landed - maybe 20. It then started snowing again. Massively. The airport re-closed for 3 more days. All mountain passes were closed for days into/out of Steamboat. We skied 8 ft of bottomless pow for 6 days with zero lift lines. NO ONE could get into Steamboat who wasn’t already there. We were on our very stiff full cambered 68mm slalom skis. The first day was a struggle of pure joy. By the second day we were already skiing better than 98% of the locals. All but the real powder hounds who really did sport snorkels. So it wasn’t a myth! (We were VERY GOOD midwestern slalom skiers whose team won the state title 4 years in a row). I’m now an old man but that experience remains one of the top 3 stunning experiences of my life.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Love the story

[@stoldrag85]

Fantastic story. Tkanks for sharing

[@istrala]

What a great story! Lucky, indeed.

[@sophiesheu]

I don't like going fast and I struggled on powder because I can't make turns very well, as I do on the groomed runs, to slow down. This video taught me the technique to control speed on powder. What an eye-opener.

[@weirdbeard1980]

I really dig Debs teaching style here. She is such a good coach, I really like her progressions.

[@jlarin2]

Good instruction and nice good kids that are motivated. If you don't know how to ski traced snow and powder this lesson is gold. good job miss.

[@stevedoe1630]

11:10 “...needing a snorkel.” Then that smile is priceless. They were so young to be so serious; nice to see a little bliss.

[@norbertmichalak7960]

Absolutely amazing teacher for the powder snow.⛷👌😘👍

[@alfieboy4022]

Another thing I’d add that isn’t covered is to keep your skis pretty close. Aggressive skiers used to skiing faster typically have a more wide open stance and this can be a problem in deep powder because the density of the snow varies wildly (so one ski can slow down faster than the other causing you to do the splits or fall). Also, on fatter skis (102 and up) with good rocker you still want to bounce somewhat so that you don’t actually have to go super fast to make tighter turns. In very steep terrain (>45 degrees) you can use a bounce after moving a bit to help you do a jump turn in deep snow (rather than trying to jump from a static position which is very hard with a lot of snow over your skis). On steep terrain, pushing down against the powder gives you a nice stable platform to control your speed. With some practice, it feels very comfortable to ski some really steep stuff.

[@SkiScott]

By far the best powder lesson I’ve seen...you got it exactly right!! Nice job Deb!! 😁

[@shengwang1674]

I was encouraged this sport two years ago by this lady. She must be the best instructor I have seen here. Passionate and skills make me indulging it. But I know long way to go.

[@guyvaes9503]

Fantastic ! Finally somebody who talks my language. I am a 52 j old guy from Belgium and learned more from this video than all the training's a had in the past ;-) Maybe because a feel 10 while a'm skiing ? Please sent me more tutorial !

[@pandaonfire6468]

Agree with all the positive comments below, been skiing for something like 35 yrs, and I feel this video has given the best advice I’ve ever had for powder skiing

[@brettneuberger6466]

Great little skiers! Love how she explains the dynamics of ski to these kids when explaining the technique to really give a good visual.

[@carolcaterino4704]

One of the best ski instructors I have seen .well done guys 👍❤️🥰🇨🇦

[@kfitzp88]

Hey deb! You’re an amazing instructor! Thank you for sharing your lessons! This particular video is doing me wonders

[@timothydooley1550]

The way you're able to break it down is amazing! Every instructor/coach can definitely learn from you!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks!!

[@fernandog.aguirre2791]

Great job Deb!!!! Not all ski instructors have the ability to explain and motivate skier ! Great job!

[@parkercushingable]

I'm a lifelong skier, my wife and stepson are learning (with a lot of enthusiasm)I've been watching training videos to try to improve my family coaching. This is fantastic! I can run these drills for our next West coast pow day!

[@henrygerwien186]

Deb, that's it! Short & concise explaining. Not necessary to follow complicated show-lessons. Do these things and ride powder. Thanx for showing us, k.r. Henry

[@jayr7836]

Deb is my girl easily the best instruction I have found on youtube lol shes the best and I really appreciate you

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks Jay!!!!

[@michaeloneill5824]

This woman is the BEST instructor I've ever watched, or listened to.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks!!!

[@ottofrost404]

I learnt the bouncy technique skiing with UCPA in Val d'Isere. It helps to center balance and control speed. Works with long turns too. Brilliant video.

[@etanklean7256]

Great ski lesson Deb! Appreciate you hosting these videos.

[@marcobertolini6796]

Wow! For me it's a dream to ski in such a beautiful place and have a ski instructor like you! 😍 Congratulations on how you teach young ski promises. 🙌🏻

[@fergusobrien7963]

Seasoned skier here: So great to see an instructor of this quality...and so good with kids, who lets face it, are the future of the sport...

[@TonyEarlsTrinityLawns]

Thank you DEB for a great video! I feel I really learnt something from it, and if I ever see another powder day in my life, I'm going to put your exercises to the test and perhaps I can break through that powder barrier that makes me shun the deep and get back on the piste. I've heard so much advice about skiing powder over the years but it just didn't seem joined up. Thanks!

[@stoldrag85]

Just found all these great Deb Armstrong videos. Binge watching. Hope to set up lesson with Deb this season. Off to search her out.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

I am here. Glad you found the Channel.

[@vinnnywong52]

Ms Armstrong, you are AWESOME. Going to Val Thorens in few weeks time. Cannot wait.

[@daviddunnigan8202]

Dating myself here, but we used to heli with CMH on narrow waisted powder skis in the 60’s mm width. Tips and tails flexed into a u shape they were so soft. We actually sunk much deeper into the snow than today’s wide all mountain skis. The bounce was absolutely necessary along with hard press on the shins especially on steeper terrain. Weighting had to be very subtle.

[@Arias1101]

Very nice and clear, I've been skiing for like 20 years one weak a year and always been afraid by powder because I had the wrong ideas of how to ski it and because it was always unpleasant to do so. I'll try to get more interested in powder and freeride in the near future.

[@bivudhungana8764]

Super video! I applauded for $2.00 👏

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Glad you like it. Thank you very much for supporting the channel!! Where do you ski?😊👍

[@ianmacleod2081]

Fantastic progression for teaching powder. I'm definitely going to use this!

[@divineashler]

Deb, this is a fantastic video and advice. I am looking forward trying out your tips on fresh snow.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Love it. I saw the bread comment. Thanks for the comments and interest. where do you ski?

[@divineashler]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong Hi Deb. I am in Alberta. Where do you live and ski?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

@@divineashler Steamboat Colorado. Hope you have a wonder winter

[@divineashler]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong To bad it is so far from here. I would love to spend some time skiing with you! I am checking out your older videos, hoping to learn more from you. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with others. Have a wonderful season.

[@blakeanderberg3862]

Super instructor. I taught for 3 years and I would love to have some tips from Deb.

[@TonyEarlsTrinityLawns]

Thanks again Deb, I just tripped over this video again, I didn't realise tat I had already commented on it 4 years ago! Caymen & Adrian are probably all grown up now ... well at least 12 or 13. I'm sure they are snow athletes now. this is a good video Deb, I'm just cant wait to find some powder to put these drills into practice. I normally ski in Tignes and Val Thoren, but its quite rare to get a powder day even up there. I'm hoping to get a trip into the Canadian Rockies this January perhaps we may get lucky and get it there. As you said .. "No friends on a Powda Day"

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Love this. Yes, they are now 14. They are twins. I hope yiu find that powder!!!!

[@jasonong3839]

Fantastic video! Making all points for skiing powder so accurate!

[@tajenli]

Thank you so much! I am really struggling in deep powder snow. This tutorial helps me a lot.

[@Refosco-DOC]

Came across this 5 year old video, looking for tipps for teaching my girlfriend. Great active teaching. Very inspiring Deb! Greetings from Italy

[@n0m1c]

It's so cool to watch you do your thing and teach the next generation. Super helpful tips! I'll be at Alpental, uploading on your eponymous lift soon. Thanks for the inspiration! :)

[@Freedomnofree]

Excellent instruction. Covering mechanics and theory.

[@carlosvasconcellos3229]

AMAZING tutorial on how to handle powder.. Brazilian here, 10 years in a row having ski classes, never saw this! Congrats,

[@bcscottburger]

These kids are awesome! A skier from Alpental knows how to truly ski real powder. For sure!

[@patwilson3604]

Great video. It also shows the importance of being able to flex your boots properly

[@OhCrapItsJimmy]

Execution is one thing and teaching is another. I'm impressed - Deb does both very well. Wow.

[@KZ-yu4jz]

Cool video. Will try to implement those techniques with my kids. I would love to see those two kids shred it now 4 years later.

[@Adorenarinjanki]

When i was a kid i learned from watching more than listening to commands. Many people learn like this, especially with sports like skiing. I feel that less is more sometimes also. The instructor is amazing though and obviously very experienced.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks for the comment

[@damiengirod6005]

Deb, you are an amazing ski instructor...

[@smb10011001]

Thank you for sharing this bit of a lesson with an excellent instructor.

[@nthnprice]

I am about to hit the mountain with some friends who are back country boarders, thank you for the info! BTW you are a great teacher! You remind me of my old Ski instructor who is the reason why I love skiing which has become a huge part of my life.

[@cycleoflife7331]

Deb, I learned how to ski powder by using the “Graduated Depth Method(TM)”. Being a person from NJ, the word was, “you have to sit back”. Of course that was advice from people who didn’t ski powder- lol. So I moved to the San Juan Mountains. Weeks before the ski area opened, I had taken my Nordic Bonna track skis up a drainage along a logging road then decided to ski down the steeper clearcuts. As you know, It was pure heaven in the champagne powder. The snow was the most forgiving powder and Nordic skinny track skis with no sidecut perform like my alpine skis effortlessly. I always tell the younger ski instructors, if you can ski light density champagne power on Nordic skis, you can’t ski- LOL But with my alpine skis, after the ski area opened and just after it got one of those lows that snowed on the upper elevations for almost two weeks in December. Starting with packed snow on the first day, the storm started so that I could learn to ski it as it built up higher each day adapting to the depth while staying over both my skis as my platform weighing both skis evenly to 60/40 depending on the snow density. I call that the Graduated Deep Method(tm) modeled after the Graduated Length method of that era in the 70’s and early 80’s.

[@klausmey9976]

awesome video. the kids are amazing on their skis..... so natural.

[@jeffreyforeman5992]

Way to go Debra. I would have loved to have had such instruction as a kid.

[@steiny145]

Great video, never heard of the bouncy technique explained that way!! Thankyou.

[@Dr_Jay_SkiDog]

I absolutely love your videos and have shared this with many friends.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Great!!!!!

[@CrazyVisi0ns]

Damn, I'd pay premium to put my daughter in your classes for years. The passion is the hook!

[@edskroski1689]

Great lesson for instructors to practice and teach even on powder in the East at Sugarbush !

[@FishGalleon]

Thanks Deb. Love the mug!

[@Ali-7676]

What you called a "moderate pitch" sent shivers up my spine! Great video though.

[@haverhill9]

Great Great detailed instructions 👍 Kids are amazing!

[@juliodominguez4750]

I need this instructor!!!! Bravo!!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@PR-rh9qm]

This is at Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs. I stopped there one afternoon after a day at Mt. Werner to watch kids in training. Unbelievable what they can do. Lucky little guys to have Deb as an instructor.

[@franktsao9415]

I’m in asahidke now, as a beginner with skiing powder, this is really helpful!

[@Premierskis]

Nice progression. As a fellow ski instructor and trainer, I'm going to steal this one 😀!

[@TheSnifmister]

Great ski instructor wow thanks Deb

[@emilferent23]

Really nice lesson demo! Thanks for sharing!

[@Antifogasta]

This is a really nice helpful video. i've been ski touring in the alps many times and i really thought that it was very good. many thanks!

[@gimmeagig]

Those kids are amazing!

[@babysaver98]

Excellent! Instruction doesn't get any better!

[@michaelhulsinger7996]

I'm an east coaster who has lived by a small hill my entire life and have dreamed of skiing powder. A couple weeks ago went to Big Sky and had 4 powder days in a row and realized I had no idea what I was doing and came back very disappointed. I watched several videos so I can be ready next time, and this was the best! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this!

[@stevedoe1630]

Michael Hulsinger Appalachian skiers can become Rocky Mountain skiers a lot easier than the opposite. Don’t get too hard on yourself; you’ve got skills and I’m sure you understand quite a bit of this skiing stuff. Just need a little guidance. Get a lesson, if you can. Rent some semi-fats, if you can. We are all ignorant...just some are less ignorant than others. Have fun, become less ignorant, learn some new techniques, be excellent to each other, be excellent to yourself, and party on dude!

[@monired07]

Watched this video the night before a powder day and it was EXTREMELY helpful! Thank you Deb Armstrong! Bounce, Bounce, Bounce!

[@TLauriks]

great video! Best instructor i've ever seen!

[@zxys001]

She's a really good teacher!

[@Glowtrey]

I love that you showed them right away that that backseat position aint the way to go!

[@MadelnMachines]

I have a habit of doing over the front of my skis into a forward roll during powder because my skis sink. Either that or I end up way back seated when I panic because my skis won't turn like the normally do and end up making a big back seated long turn to stop. I started to get the feeling of the bouncing with the side to side motion when skiing in a field but any kind of pitch to the slope and I still don't feel I get speed control and then panic. If only I had some decent powder days on some easy gentle blues to practice on.

[@jrayk257]

I've always wanted some information on skiing powder. Never had a chance until now.

[@4dogsannacat]

Thanks Deb I integrate your progressions into my lessons, very helpful.

[@rafaburdzy449]

Great ski instructor.

[@christinaneko]

and she was a gold medalist Olympian. Her childhood local ski resort has a chair lift called Armstrong which was named after her. (Summit at Snoqualmie Alpental)

[@transilvaniak8485]

You do very good job Deb!

[@kennylev15]

This video changed my life.

[@jamesprimavesi2392]

I’ve always been told to sit back when skiing powder. Looking forward to trying out the trampoline technique instead..

[@alfieboy4022]

Definitely don’t sit back. It makes it really hard to turn because then the tails sink and can’t really rotate. If anything, speed and a neutral position plus a bounce will allow you to really make solid turns. You’ll be surprised how much speed powder shaves off too when you use a bit of a bounce.