How to Carve While Skiing

Are you tired of slipping and sliding all over the mountain like a baby giraffe on ice skates? Fear not, for I am here to teach you the art of carving while skiing. Not only will you look like a pro, but you'll also feel like one as you glide smoothly down the slopes.

What is Carving?

Carving is the act of making deep turns by shifting your weight from one ski to the other while the sharp edge of your skis cut (or carve) into the snow, rather than the ski skidding sideways, which you’ll commonly see from standard parallel turns. This results in the skier’s upper body facing down the mountain while their legs move from turn to turn underneath them, rather than facing sideways across the mountain with each turn.  It's a lot like dancing, but instead of a dance floor, you have a mountain covered in snow. And instead of a partner, you have two skis.

How Do You Carve?

Skiing Stance

1. Now, let's talk about technique. The first step is to get into a comfortable athletic stance with your knees bent and your weight centered over your skis. A good way to get into this position is to do a little jump on flat ground, when your knees bend as you land, stay in this position.

Lean Into the Turn

2. From there, you'll want to start with some easy turns on a gentle slope to get a feel for the movement. To initiate a turn, lean your upper body in the direction you want to go while still facing down the mountain, and start rolling your knees and ankles towards that direction. This will make your skis start to turn, and you'll want to follow through with your entire body. Keep your weight on the outside ski and allow the inside ski to follow along.

Try your best to keep your upper body upright while your legs do the work. Think of the movement almost like you’re ice-skating. In the same way that you push off with one leg and transfer your weight to the other while ice-skating, this is how you want to put all of your weight on the outside ski, and then transfer all of your weight to the other. The only difference is rather than your inside leg trailing behind when you’re ice-skating, you want to keep it close while skiing.

Increase Edge Angle

3. As you start to feel more comfortable, you can start to increase the pressure on the edges of your skis. Lean into the turn more, trying to get closer to the snow. This will increase the angle of the skis in the snow, allowing you to make sharper turns and carve more deeply into the piste. Just remember to keep your upper body facing downhill and your weight over your skis.

More Carving Tips

Let the Skis Do the Work

4. Now, let's talk about some advanced techniques. One of the most important things to remember when carving is to be patient. Don't rush your turns or try to force them. Instead, make sure to trust the skis as you lean into the mountain. It might feel like you’re about to fall, but stick with it and let the skis slingshot you from one turn to another.

Shift your Weight with a Pole Plant

5. Another tip is to focus on your pole plants. When you're skiing, use your poles to guide your turns and help maintain your rhythm. Think of them as your dance partner, keeping you in time with the music (or in this case, the snow). When you’re coming to the end of one then, you can plant the other pole ahead of you in the snow to shift your body weight to the other side and initiate the next turn.

Have Fun!

6. Finally, don't forget to have fun! Skiing is all about enjoying the mountain and the beauty of the outdoors. So take your time, embrace the challenge, and don't be afraid to laugh at yourself when you fall (because trust me, you will).

How Do I Know If I’m Carving?

If you have successfully managed to carve, then it will feel like you’re skiing on rails as you move from turn to turn at speed. You’ll be able to feel the skis doing the work, especially between turns where it feels like you’re being pulled from one edge to the other.

After skiing for a while, stop and look back at the tracks that you have left. If they are two, thin, parallel lines, then you have been carving. However, if they are a bit thicker, or not quite as smooth and consistent, then you’re probably not quite there yet.

What Skis do I Need to Carve?

To get started, make sure you have the right equipment. You'll need skis with a sidecut (the hourglass shape of the ski) and sharp edges. Carving skis are typically wider at the tip and tail, and the ski has a camber. When you carve, the ski bends into an arc as you push into the snow, which gives energy to propel you into the next turn. If you're renting skis, make sure to ask for a carving ski.

If you want to read more about the different types of skis, click here.

If you want a video to help you learn, we recommend this one:

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