Tips for the perfect carving turn
The most important basic requirement for great carving turns is the basic position of the skier. In order to be able to have maximum stability and freedom of movement for your legs in the turn, your basic position should be: legs are about shoulder or hip width apart, so in a relaxed/ comfortable position, which should not be too narrow nor too wide. The knee and hip joints should be slightly bent when carving.
2. Body position
In order to see the right upper body position when carving, you have to break down the turn into different parts. At the start of the turn, the upper body should be facing forward, whilst the body moves ever more to the middle of the turn. When doing a carving turn, you lean actively into the turn, so that there is enough weight on the ski and thereby it is possible for the skis to edge. When carving there is this typical hip bend, which is characteristic of the technique.
If the weight is transferred correctly, then the skis will edge. The most important thing for the carving technique is to have the skis on their edges for the whole turn. After the turning of the skis, the skis are then as quickly as possible back on their edges until the end of the turn. It is only possible to ski on your edges if the upper body is leaning into the slope, and thus represents a line with your feet, which then allows the optimum angle between the edge of the ski and the slope.
4. The correct weight distribution
In principle, the following applies: The outer ski is the boss! ;)
Having said that, the inner ski should also have enough weight applied to it. On the one hand, by doing this, it is easier to keep your balance and on the other hand, when the weight distribution is correct, then more pressure can be absorbed in the turn.
For the carving technique it is paramount, that the distance between the skis, stays nearly always the same in order to maintain maximum stability.
6. No up and down movement
It is just as important not to do the up and down movement, which was very common and popular before. However, the carving technique only needs a stabile central position on the skis and this allows you to ski down like you are on tracks.
With these simple tips and tricks, you will be able to carve down the slopes like clockwork, on your next holiday in Ski amadé. Have fun!! ;)
