Mastering Ski Turns

What this episode covers

Here are details about how to turn when skiing, according to the sources: Basic Steps for Turning To initiate a turn, move your ankles to the side to roll onto the edge of your skis. To turn right, move your ankles to the right edge, and to turn left, move them to the left edge. Move both ankles toward the same side when turning. Snow Plough Turn Position your skis in a "V" shape, with the front tips closer together than the back, applying light pressure on the inside edges by pushing your heels slightly outward. This position is sometimes called the "Pizza Slice". Slide forward with your weight evenly distributed, knees slightly bent, feet centred, and shoulders slightly forward. To turn left, push with your right leg, distributing your weight onto the right ski, and vice versa to turn right. The ski with more weight on it will have more control. To initiate a new turn, shift your weight back onto both skis by pivoting your hips so they are straight. Adjust your weight distribution to change speed; taking weight off one ski will increase speed and the sharpness of the turn, while putting more weight on one side of your ski will slow you down. Look forward, not down at your skis, to help you turn easily and change directions. Parallel Turn Start with skis parallel and hip-width apart, leaning forward, distributing your weight across both skis, and bending your knees. Your skis should always face straight ahead. To turn, roll your knees and ankles in the direction you want to turn, moving both feet in the same direction while keeping your skis parallel. Adjust your weight to the side of your feet that corresponds with the direction you want to turn. Keep your shoulders slightly rotated toward the direction you want to turn, and stretch and soften your legs throughout the turn. Maintain a constant speed until you want to come out of your turn, and then distribute your weight toward the front centre of your skis to realign to the forward parallel skiing position. Avoid leaning back and stay forward on the balls of your feet. Carve Turn Start by sliding down the slope to gain momentum, keeping your feet hip-width apart, your hands on the poles, and leaning forward slightly. Practice on a flat slope to minimize speed if you are a beginner. Carving skis are thinner in the middle, which helps the ski shift from one side to the other. When you want to turn, roll onto the edge of the ski by moving your knees and ankles to the side. To turn right, move your ankles toward the right side, and to turn left, move your ankles to the left side. Move your knees and ankles from side to side to change direction, quickly rolling from one edge to the other. Keep your upper body stable and don’t force the turn. As you tilt your knees and ankles, it will naturally create a curve. Apply more pressure to the edges of your skis when coming to the end of your turn to help you slow down and ease out of the turn. Lean forward to redistribute your weight and increase your speed after you have completed the turn. Straighten your knees and ankles to finish your turn and decrease your speed. Additional Tips Consider taking a private lesson to learn the basics quickly. The main muscles used while skiing are the glutes, quads, and hamstrings. Be patient with yourself as you learn, as it takes time to master the basics. Do not try advanced turns until you have mastered the basics. Make sure you get equipment that meets your skill level to avoid injuries.

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