Fast Carving Turns

Learn to Ski Fast

• Skiing fast carved turns is a skill that can be learned and will both improve your skiing and prepare you for racing. Be sure to review the module on Ski Technique to learn how elite skiers and racers carve turns. Here’s the link: Ski Technique

• The following video offers a superb demonstration of how to ski fast by performing dynamic carved turns.

• The video focuses on the importance of skiing clean carved turns, staying within a predetermined corridor, moving the body forward and inside of the turn (inclination), and shortening the inside leg.

Video Produced by Joshua Duncan-Smith

Coach’s Tip

The second drill demonstrated by this video is challenging. To execute it effectively, avoid resting your body on the snow. Instead, apply full pressure against the outside ski to carve your turn across the hill. Shorten the inside leg by lifting the inside heel, and come to a stop. Always ensure to look up the hill before you begin to check for oncoming skiers.

Do not ‘Drop Your Hip’!

• Avoid separating at the waist and dropping your hip toward the snow. This action breaks the stacking of the core and outside leg, shifts pressure onto the inside ski, and reduces pressure on the outside ski, limiting its ability to carve, bend and accelerate.

• Dropping the hip also increases the risk of injury—racers who use this technique are often injured, sometimes seriously, when skiing on racecourses with steep, icy, or rough conditions.

The illusion of Dropping the Hip

• While it may seem that Mikaela Shiffrin is separating at the waist to ‘drop her inside hip to the snow’ in the image below, this is merely an illusion.

• In reality, she is moving forward and inside the turn, stacking her core and outside leg, and shortening her inside leg to create a higher edge angle and increased pressure on the outside ski.

• As a natural consequence of these movements, her hip moves lower to the snow rather than as a deliberate action.

Screenshot from Video by Ski Inspector — Speed Ski Ride Vmax/ Graphics by ARM

Safety and Control

• Safety is paramount. Be conscious of your surroundings, focusing on other skiers, snow conditions, visibility, and the ‘Safety Rules of the Hill’.

• Always ski in control. Once you have achieved your desired speed, maintain that speed as you descend.

• You should be able to change direction or stop at any time.

Key Takeaways

1. Learning how to ski fast turns on steeper terrain, involves skiing dynamic carved turns, moving the body towards the inside of the turn (inclination), and shortening the inside leg.

2. Safety, control, and the ability to maintain or adjust speed at any time are crucial.

Suggested Learning Modules

Return to Learn Like Elites or Speed or Ski Steep Terrain

Important Message: Skiing and ski racing involve inherent risks. It’s essential to ski responsibly and stay within your skill level and personal comfort limits.