You’ve been dreaming of this day for as long as you can remember. The chance to hit the slopes with your ski gear, ski boots, and ski passes all in one. Only one problem: You’re not exactly sure how to edge your skis properly. If you’re looking for the simplest and quickest way to learn, check out this video from our friends at GoPro.
In the video, a group of skiiers are seen taking the plunge on a chairlift. As the lift reaches the top, the skiers jump off and begin their descent. Before you know it, they’re turning, gliding, and carving their way towards the bottom. It’s all done with such perfection that it’s easy to understand why this is known as the best way to learn how to edge (or fly) a ski.
While this approach may seem ideal, there is more than one way to edge a ski. In fact, there are several techniques that experts deem to be the best way to go. Because there is more than one way to do things, it follows that there is more than one best way to edge a ski.
When you’re new to the sport or simply want to learn more about it, it’s best to start with the basics. This means getting familiar with the proper way to load your skis and ski equipment. Once you’ve got that down, work your way up to carving the perfect turn. From there, it’s only a matter of time before you’re cruising down the mountain.
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How To Edge A Ski Properly (The Basics)
Before you attempt to edge a ski, it is important to set some groundwork. This means getting your skis and equipment in order and making sure that you have everything you need. There are several approaches that experts deem to be the best way to edge a ski, and the following will discuss three of the most straightforward methods.
The first step is to properly load your skis. Take the time to study how your ski resort’s snowboarders and skiers accomplish this. Simply walk up to one of the experts and ask them how they do it. They will be more than happy to help you out.
Just like with a bike, the weight of your body (minus the head) affects the pitch of your ski. So, bear in mind that when you’re loading your skis, your weight should be distributed evenly between them. You don’t want to be tipping one ski and the whole weight of the ski rests on your lap. This can cause you serious injury. Make sure to put your gloves on before you start handling your ski equipment. This will prevent any accidents due to careless handling.
Also, make sure that your skis are adjusted properly. This entails checking the tension of the snowboard binding straps. The reason for this is that the closer the straps are to being completely loose, the easier it will be for you to perform. Simply pull back on the straps until you feel the binding click against the boot.”
The French Method (The Alpins Method)
One way of edging a ski is the French method. It’s named after its creator, Georges (or Jean-Claude) Alpins. In the 1950s, Alpins was a ski instructor at the Pierre Bergere ski school in Chamonix, France. During this time, he noticed that some of the students were having trouble with their turns and were stressing out. It was then that he came up with the idea of using a ski pole to assist their turns. After testing the technique on the slope, Alpins decided that his students would benefit from this new way of skiing.
In the French method, the idea is to use your ski poles to push off from when you’re standing still. To pull off the maneuver, simply stand in front of a ski lift with your arms raised above your head. When the chairlift reaches the top, let go of the handle with one hand while holding onto your ski poles with the other. As you pull the ski poles toward you, you will feel the tension and the resistance as the poles try to keep their position. Once you’ve got the hang of it, use your poles to push off from any surface, including snow, ice, or concrete.
Alpins believed that this technique would make anyone feel more at ease while skiing. According to Pierre Bergere, who was present at the time of Alpins’ death in 2011, “He was a remarkable man, a genius who created a method to ski that made everyone feel more comfortable on the slopes. Unfortunately, in later years, his health declined and he had to quit teaching. But he continued to ski and enjoyed being with his friends on the mountain.”
The Pumped Method
The pumped method is a two-step process that allows for more precise control. The first step is to pump your ski poles once you’ve got the feeling that they’re ready to snap.
To do this, coil your arms at your side and pull back on your straps with your hands. Now, while keeping your arms raised, begin “pumping” or slightly whipping your arms in an alternating pattern. As you continue pumping, you will notice that your turns become straighter and more precise. When pumping, make sure to pull back on the straps hard enough so that you feel the tension and resistance against your wrist but not so much that you risk damage to your wrist (and maybe even your arm) from overuse. Also, make sure to pump in a sitting or standing position, not while lying on your back.
The second step is precisely the opposite of the first. On the lift, the idea is to let go of the handle with one hand while pulling on your ski poles with the other. This will allow for greater control over your speed and direction. This is especially beneficial if you’re skiing on a steep slope or standing on a chairlift. Keep your hands raised above your head as you do this, as it helps prevent injuries to your wrist (and maybe even your arm) because you have full control over when to use your arms and when not to. Another plus of this technique is that you can use it to stop suddenly if needed.
This technique may be difficult to master. That’s why experts suggest trying it out on a slope that’s easier to navigate or on a smaller mountain. Once you’ve got it down, you won’t have any trouble executing it on the big stage.
How To Edge The Perfect Carve
After you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to move on to the next step: Carving the perfect turn. Learning how to edge a ski is all about learning how to make that perfect turn. As you may imagine, this is a fairly complex maneuver, and it takes a lot of practice to get right. But once you’ve got it down, it’s second nature and you’ll be gliding down the mountain like an expert.
To start, stand in front of a ski lift with your skis in a V position. With one ski in front of you and the other behind you, lean forward until your belly is touching the ski in front of you. Now, push your hips back and stick your arms out in front of you. Next, jump with your feet shoulder-width apart and point your toes slightly outwards. This will help you control your speed and direction. When you land, roll your hips forward and bend your knees slightly to absorb the impact of landing. Finally, pull your skis in behind you until they’re parallel to the ground. Doing this will ensure that you maintain balance while gliding down the mountain. If you keep your balance while gliding, you’ll be able to maintain control over your speed and direction even when carving turns. So, what’s the point of all of this? Simply put, it’s all about confidence and having fun while enjoying the sport. Once you get the basics down, it’s just a matter of time before you’re executing amazing turns on the slopes.