We began the day by working on completing the turns by letting the downhill ski lift us up and over (from its inside edge) – out of the turns – instead of using the uphill ski and leg (outside edge) to push the body into the turn. This reduces the pivoting element used in the turns.
The main work today however was to introduce leg retraction and compression turns. Leg retraction is the fastest way to get the body across the skis in turn transitions. This timing is critical for control and agility in moguls and in deep snow fall line skiing. We even noted that it also made navigating ice much smoother and controlled.
Summary
To avoid confusion I’m calling any action to get out of a turn or traverse “turn completion”. The rest of body management continues as before.
- Turn completion from uphill ski and outside edge – extension of the uphill leg
- Feet close together – pulling the inside foot back pushing the outside foot forward – strong pivot from the uphill ski on turn entry (skis travelling a lot sideways)
- Feet wide apart less pivot but much stronger push from the flexed uphill leg
- Turn completion from the lifting up effect of the downhill ski (inside edge)
- Feet close together – stronger turn completion – minimal or no pivoting – (skis travelling forward)
- Feet wide apart – rapid, clean edge change (to new inside edge )
- Turn completion from leg retraction or compression (impact with a bump)
- Feet close together – two footed pivot
- Feet wide apart – more independent leg action (downhill only leg retracting or both legs). Most rapid way to get the centre of mass across the skis in carving and smoothest way on ice