Stem Christi Turns: Skiing Tips

Video Transcript

Hi! This is Dave Smith with Hillcrest Ski and Sports in Gresham, Oregon on behalf of Expert Village. In this tutorial we will cover beginning skiing. In this clip we'll cover the Stem Christi turn which is a more advanced turn. The Stem Christi turn is a very important stepping stone to parallel turns which is an intermediate to advanced skiing technique. Because of that, this should be the last technique that you work on in this beginning skiing lesson. The Stem Christi turn starts out the same way as the wedge turn. Extend your legs. Transfer your weight, the majority of your weight onto the ski that will become your downhill ski. But, instead of staying in the wedge position, allow your uphill ski to slide into the French Fry position so that it's parallel to your downhill ski in the middle of your turn. Come across the slope. And as you enter your next turn in the wedge position, again allow that uphill ski to drop in parallel to your downhill ski. Continue doing this until you get comfortable with it. Make sure that before you start working on the Stem Christi turn you're very comfortable linking turns in the wedge position. Also make sure you're still doing the basics keeping your weight on the balls of your feet, keeping your feet shoulder width apart and keeping your hands in front of you where you can see them.