The amount we steer our skis on the edges and when we begin to grip through the turn/direction change, depend on the speed we are traveling at. The faster you travel the earlier the edges engage in the turn and cut through the snow at the top of turn. Conversely, the slower you ski, the later in the turn/change of direction the edges begin to cut in and start to engage and grip/steer in the snow.
When you start to turn into the fall line, you must be able to control the skis. This requires the skier to be well balanced against and on top of the outside ski from the top/start of the turn so you can maintain balance against the turning ski, ie the outside ski.
There are four phases of the turn and all are very important for you to be aware of.
- Start of turn/set up
The skis glide in the new direction, you start to edge the skis and build pressure against the outer ski (from the start to the middle of the turn is the most important part of the whole shape of the turn) - Middle of the turn
The highest pressure of the turn. The optimal alpine position/balance is very important here to maintain good body tension/posture. - End of turn
Here you start to release the pressure off your skis and move into the next turn. - Gliding phase
Here the turn is finished and you begin to prepare for the start of the next turn (the gliding phase blends into the start of the new turn).
Steering out of the fall line and feeling for when you want to release the skis is the most challenging part of the turn especially in challenging conditions and terrain.
You need to be well balance against and on top of the outside ski to control the pressure build up through the outside ski. This will aid the feeling of where and when you want to release the skis to change edges to start the new turn/change of direction.
When you tip your skis onto the edges during the turn/direction change, the pressure/tension increases. The turn shape, steepness, terrain (bumps), speed, snow types and type of skis (Race ski, all-terrain carver and freeride skis) all affect the steering pressure generated in the turn/change of direction; you feel this through your legs and whole body. This pressure builds and you can use this to your advantage or disadvantage. With practice you can develop awareness and feeling about where and when to release the pressure and then you can become a much more adaptable skier in all terrain on the whole mountain.
The support ski (outer ski) and the inner ski, both have steering and balancing qualities. The support foot/ski (outside ski) has better, more effective control, feel and balance throughout the turn/change of direction, while the inside foot/ski has stronger edge grip but less feel throughout the turn/change of direction and less feel for balance, which promotes edge catching during the turn/change of direction. Here, a very fine sense of steering with the inside foot/ski in the right place, at the right time, and to the right degree in the turn/direction change is required for effective steering through the turn/direction change.
You can either drift your skis or carve/steer your skis on their edges. Carving, which involves steering the skis through the turn/change of direction at higher speeds, makes us more stable in the turn/change of direction. The factors that will affect and influence us and whether we are carving/steering or drift all depends on your ability, confidence and some of the factors below.
Terrain
Snow types
Gradient
Speed
Weather
The skier must constantly respond to the changing factors to effectively steer the skis and maintain control while using the pressure in the turn/change of direction to their advantage. It’s important to be centred over our feet/skis to get the most out of today’s skis.
Being centred over the feet/skis requires flexion of all ski joints (ankles, knees and hips).
With our hips over our feet, hands in front of our body, and our body moving forward with our feet while in motion, we can balance, change direction, control our feet/skis and most important take advantage of the build-up of pressure and control pressure to our advantage on the whole mountain.
Known – Unknown
Easy – Harder
Flat – Steeper
Slow – Faster
By making things harder and moving out of our comfort zone, we can become more aware and raise our awareness and becoming more aware of the 3 factors balance, turn and steering at your own level, you can begin to become a more effective, all-around controlled skier.
