day, Februa SKI TIPS Soft snow helps novices FOR ANYONE who has skied the local mountains you know the changing weather conditions and vari- able freezing levels can pose a challenge to even the most seasoned skiers. By Allyson Bower Contriiting Writer Recent soft snow conditions have given novice skiers a real opportunity to experience edge grip and thus a solid turning feel- ing. In soft snow, as in all condi- tions, it is still always important to be well-balanced on your skis and to have good leg indepen- dence. Here is a great drill you can try at home to improve your balance and give you the feel of leg inde- pendence: Place a book on each arm of your favorite armchair. Step back one foot from the chair with your feet together and your bedy rigid. Addin) een) ALLYSON BOWER Attempt to pick up one book at a time, one with the left hand, and one with the right hand. ['m sure you will find it hard to maintain your balance to get the job done. NEWS photo SIX-YEAR-OLD Laura Parker goes through her forms d session at the Masters Invitational Saturday at Carson Over 90 locals get their kicks at meet THE NORTH Shore Taekwondo Centre recently hosted the 2nd Annual Canadian International Taekwondo Regional Champion- ships at the Capilano Sportsplex. Over 350 competitors from Western Canada and the United States competed in age divisions from five to 50, Ninety North Shore martial artists competed. A special attraction at this year’s tournament was a demon- stration by a 9th degree black belt, Grand Master H.V. Lee. The day- long competition featured three categorics: forms, one-step spar- ring, and contact sparring. North Shore Tackwondo Centre students who placed in the top three in the forms category includ- ed: First-place: Meyrick McNulty, Ashley Ardagh, Colin Kew, Tonia Tonnu. Conrad Nickels, Marina Vetrovee, Gerald yon. Joshua Adelberz. Caren Gehriger, Leah Sungail®, ob ert Killeen, Eric Wong. ¢han;. Olson and AadrewW Gichyel Second-place: Jesse Rees- Bemister, Mikhail Ar@. Bradley Lundahl, Nats! Richard Hastings, Rya? goi and Karen Watson, Nicolas * Kelly Moore. .fuided: Sparring top-threes ine, First-place: Chelsea PeleT aca. Grajezyk, Michael Rich? Jason Conrad — Nickels. Gasak, Marchand, Christin? sfoore, Marijoel Cramer. Kell¥ (on and Brian Cramer, Robert Of? Ouiin Kyle Black, Second-phacee radtey Livesey, Jordan Cowan. rr Lundaht, Paul You Fjoser, Caren Killeen @? Wong. SUITS UP TO 70% OFF We still have a good selection of Fall suits fram Cambridge, Desch, Durban and others now with further reductions. SPORT JACKETS - A large selection all now with further, reductions. DRESS SHIRTS | A special selection up to 60% off. + 390 West Hastings * Park Royal ¢ Richmond Centre We've got fresh stiaw, and tons of it, More than eighty centimetres of heavenly powder fell recency, and more is on the way, The base is naw more than 2-45em, and rising, With some of the season's best conditions, let the Village Gondola or Creekside’s Quicksilver Express take you up to skiing paradise. For the latest ski conditions call our Snowphone in Vancouver: 687-6761, or Whistler: 932-4191, powde The World Comes to Whistler. Get ready for the world’s best as they return to the Whistler Mountain Ski Classic. ‘The world’s top skiers will be fresh from uie Olympics and eager to prove themselves at the Warsteiner World Downhills and Super G. The women compete ar two y9n March 5&6 while the men take the stage ch !2a13 for a downhill and Super G. There'll lion from March 2nd right through co the downh! on Mar reat 4 be gr Lo: * ee ; ¢ dont miss one of skiing’s premiere events. 13th s Let's Ge Nese : por down the race course. Whistler's certified 1 Clinical, Whether it’s in the bumps, through the hes help you with great half-day clinics in each coaches : So vce USciplines, Designed for intermediate to * of the advane’ plenty o starting “ ed skiers, classes move quickly and allow for (individual attention, Clinics are offered daily 1 520. SKI CARD AND PASSHOLDERS DISCOUNTS With great savings specials for Ski Cani purchasers and Season Pass holders, Whistler ensures you can take tdvantage of all the white and still save some grven. ¢ Inckaditns 915% off ske rentals a Weistler Mountain Sports Shops (Feb, 13-19}. 3.75 for pizza and Mountain Coke at Pika’s Restaurant Geb, 13-19% 5 off Bianp, Powder and Race ski school 1/2 dy elin: Soff 1/2 diy Novice and Parallel Improvement classes Now try this: Spread your feet shoulder-width apart and flex _your ankles, Knees and back slightly. Keep your hands to the front and a little to the side. Now, try to pick up the book oa the right hand side smoothly by flexing your right ankle and knee slightly. Just do the same for the left- hand side. remembering to bring your body back to centre each ‘ime you go for the book on the aiher side. Repeat the exercise a couple of limes on each side. Remember how this feels and try to apply this fecling next time you are out skiing. Don't be sur- prised if you ski better than you've ever skied before. Allysen Bower is a Level 1 Ski Instructor at Cypress Bowl Ski School. (At the request of the West Vancouver Advisory Committec, Cypress Bow! has established a mountain shuttle — a regularly scheduled bus service between Park Royal South and Cypress Bow! ski areas. Call 926-5612 for more information. HISTLER’S GROWN BY MORE THAN TWO FEET. WwW. EVENTS * CAM-NET Masters Ski Series (Slalom) Fb 19-20 * Cancel Dave Murray Masters Ski Camp: Fa 23-25 * Moonlight Dine and Ski - Fb 26 * Whistler Mountain Ski Classic Warsteiner World Downhills and Super G March 2-13 Ore WHISTLER M O U WN