Downhill skiing is an exciting and thrilling sport. Top-level skiers engage in ski racing on slalom and downhill courses, while newer skiers traverse less challenging runs. All skiers use the same methods to get down the course. There are four basic ways for your skis to move to get from the top of the run to the bottom of the hill.
Sliding
Move in the direction that your skis are pointed. This is often the first movement when a skier begins his run down a hill. When you slide, you are picking up speed as your momentum continues. As you continue to gain speed, you have to change the positions of your skis to have control of your run as you go down the hill.
Slipping
As the skier goes downhill and picks up speed by sliding, the skier changes the position of his skis so they are moving at a sideways angle down the hill. The skier loses speed with this maneuver but he regains control over his run down the mountain. As the skis are pointed sideways, the skier continues to go downhill. The direction of travel is perpendicular to the angle of the skis.
Skidding
The skidding technique is used by a skier as she goes through various curves on the ski run. The skidding technique occurs when the skier alternately uses sliding and slipping to get through the curve. The tails of the skis are much wider than the tips during this maneuver. The skier will often use the skidding technique as she skis on a slalom course.
Carving
This technique is used by the downhill skier on an advanced course and is used by high-level ski racers. The tips and the tails of the skis follow the same path when carving. The edges of the skis dig into the snow as the skier uses a narrow or neutral stance to attack the mountain and get down the course as quickly as possible.
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