Turning while skiing is essential. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself flying off the mountain instead of down it. There are various ways to turn when skiing. Some are easier than others, so let’s have a look at them.
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Turning On The Slopes
This is the simplest and most common way to turn while skiing. Simply put your ski poles in the air and turn toward them while keeping your skis parallel to the ground. Ensure that your body is bent at least 75% of the time while turning – this will ensure that you keep control of the skis while staying upright. You can start off with your front ski pole in front of you and then gradually bring your rear pole up. As you turn, the snow will come off the apex of the turn and create a smooth transition from front to back, giving you a softer landing.
Paddling To The Turn
Another way to turn on the slopes is with the use of your legs. Instead of raising your poles and using them to turn, you can plant one foot in front of you and the other behind you. This will lift you off the ground and into a higher position, allowing you to turn faster and farther. Ensure that your body is bent at least 75% of the time while turning – this will help keep you stable and in control of the skiing action.
Diving
Being a good diver ensures that you can turn on the slopes with style. Instead of lifting your feet to perform the frog kick that some people use to rotate their torso and turn, you can rely on your arms and the power of your legs. To turn, dive forward through the snow and, as you go, spread your arms and legs wide. This will give you a firm base and enable you to rotate quickly and deeply. At the end of the rotation, bring your head up and take a look around you – you’ll see that you’ve created an instant full stop in the snow. Practice this technique near the summit of a mountain and you’ll feel the rush of air as you enter the turning point, far away from the chattering skiers below you.
Walking
Yes, you can actually walk down the mountain while turning. It’s not a graceful way to ski, but it is possible. Instead of floating along on the surface and carving turns, you can put your full body weight into it. This is called walking and it’s an excellent way to keep your balance while turning and avoid falling. It’s also a great way to check the condition of the slope ahead of you. Sometimes it’s safer to walk than it is to ski, especially if the snow is fresh and untracked. You can also use this technique near the top of an expert run to enjoy a smoother ride to the bottom.
Rocking
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can use your arms and hands for more control. Instead of simply rotating toward the sky, you can raise your hands above your head while slowly turning. This will rock the handlebars and send you spinning on an adventurous trajectory. You can also use your body weight to increase your speed or use your hands to maintain your balance while you turn. This is called body rocking and it’s a great way to go down the mountain with style and excitement.
Braking
If you’re approaching a turn slowly, you can use your brakes to stop yourself before you start turning. Simply lean forward until your front skis are no longer slipping and then gently press the accelerator to bring your speed down. If you’re going very fast, you’ll need to lift your feet off the accelerator to engage the brakes – doing this while turning will prove difficult and might lead to an accident. Letting off the brakes gradually will help bring you back to a controlled speed before you start turning again.
Looking Where You’re Going
To ensure that you stay in control of your skiing action, it’s essential that you look where you’re going. This means that you need to constantly return your gaze in the direction you’re turning and look at the location where you want to end up. Sometimes it’s easier to imagine where you’re going than to remember where you were going – keeping your eyes open will prevent you from running into obstacles or people while turned. It’s also very helpful to scan the area around you as you go to ensure that you don’t miss anything that could be dangerous. In expert hands, all of these techniques combined allow for smooth and stylish turns that keep you ahead of the skiing rush.