This is the first of five articles taking you back to where you started from. They involve the five basic skiing turns, namely the snowplough (also known as the stem or wedge), the stem turn, the stem christie and the christie (or parallel turn).

Whereever you happen to be in the turning heirachy, they are a very helpful way of learning what you are actually doing on the skis.

Do you remember what it was like the first time you put skis on? Can you remember the first few days of bruises, excitement, and the thrill of uncontrolled speed? I have tried to remember how our ski instructor got us going but without much luck. I remember his name, and how much he drank at lunchtime, and that he had a very red face in the afternoons, but not much else. If you started a long time ago you probably won