today's loop was 5K

On the bus to Pineland, James and I discussed doing a step turn before starting the intervals - we both assumed the conditions would be similar to yesterday's and Saturday's, which were pretty good. Obviously the conditions were made much icier than we expected. The drop into the Pownal loop was impossible for most if not all of us to step turn it. Nevertheless, many of the turns were in good shape for step turning and you should continuous practice these. In slower downhill turns, you will want to skate-push with your outside ski to continue to get power while your inside ski steps. In faster downhill turns just execute rapid-fire short steps with both skis. Quick feet is a skill. Lead the turn with your outside hand. Practice, Practice, Practice. Here is an ok video a step turn lesson. If you want to see a turn that make even excellent skiers look like absolute newbies check out Bob Haydock's videos of the infamous hairpin turn in the Bogburn race. Note how many skiers have terrible form on this turn (stiff body, body bent at waist, hands all over the place, slide, slide, slide). I'd love to see a compilation of the guys who kill this turn.

The ice also put a premium on good weight transfer from ski to ski. Did you notice that when you skied with good form, with proper weight transfer, your ski didn't slide in the skate-push, but if you got sloppy and didn't fully transfer your weight onto the gliding ski that it woud slide during the skate push? So days like today are good for evaluating technique because of the markers for various form failures.