The most efficient skiers know when to exert control, and when to let the forces of gravity carry them down the hill. Less-skilled skiers either exert too much or not enough control. Lack of control causes accidents and prevents you from enjoying advanced terrain. Technique, equipment and personal balance skills all play a key role in smooth, controlled skiing. Technical skills include strategy, turn shape, stance, posture and edge control. Round turns, which turn your skis up the hill, offer maximum control, advises Lito Tejada-Flores, author of "Breakthrough on Skis."
Stance & Alignment
Step 1
Stand with your knees flexed and your feet parallel and separated at shoulder-width apart.
Step 2
Point both skis down the hill. Look down at your knees and make sure they are in alignment with your feet.
Step 3
Press your shins against your ski boot tongues.
Step 4
Relax your shoulders by drawing them away from your ears. Bend your elbows, keeping them near your waist. Create a 90-degree angle with your forearms, and point your ski tips downward into the snow.
Strategy
Step 1
Stand at the top of the hill and look down the slope.
Step 2
Note potential obstacles such as trees, crowds of other skiers, ice, accidents or moguls.
Step 3
Pick a line that best suits your skill level.
Turn Shape
Step 1
Stand at the top of the hill, and establish your speed by letting them slide directly into the fall line.
Step 2
Flick your wrist and tap your ski pole into the snow. Tap your right pole if you plan to turn right, and tap your left pole if you plan to turn left. Your pole tap forces you to shift your weight forward, which provides greater ski tip control.
Step 3
Edge your skis so that you balance on the little toe of one foot and the big toe of the other. The little toe edge corresponds to the direction in which you plan to turn, as indicated by your pole tap. The big toe edge helps in steering the skis.
Step 4
Rotate your feet to steer your skis up the hill. Keep your upper body facing down the hill.
Step 5
Flatten your skis to complete the turn, and continue the process in the opposite direction.
Tips and Warnings
- Everyone has a good turn side and a bad turn side, which may correspond to balance issues or muscle weakness on one side of the body. Off-slope balance training exercises improve on-slope control. Ski lessons are the best way to learn control.
- Improper boot fit, stiffness and ski length impede control. Only ski on slopes that are appropriate for your level of proficiency. Incomplete turns eliminate the deceleration or slowing down phase of the turn, causing your skis to race downhill at uncontrollable speeds.
Things You'll Need
- Skis
- Boots
- Poles
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