 ALPINE SKI LESSONS: PARALLEL SKIING |
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Parallel skiing |
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| Managing to parallel ski is the goal of many a beginner skier, as they view parallel skiing as the technique that will not only help them greatly improve but most importantly help them achieve a more aesthetic skiing technique. |
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The basic parallel turn |
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| To initiate a basic parallel turn, start by traversing, your upper body facing the slope (in anticipation). Bend your knees, plant the pole and place your weight on the uphill ski to turn towards the fall line. The closer you get to the fall line, the fast you'll go. Don't panic, keep placing your weight on the uphill ski (which becomes the outside ski in the turn). Once you're past the fall line, you'll slow down and end up perpendicular to the slope. You can then prepare to traverse again. |
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Advice |
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It's very important, at least in the beginning, that you keep your skis spread a little apart. Keeping your skis close to each other affects your balance and, most importantly, your leg independence, if you don't fully know how to achieve it.
In most cases, beginner skiers plant their pole very late in the turn and don't use it for support. The pole should be planted as soon as the turn is initiated and should be leaned on for support. Leaning on the pole will help the weight shift from the downhill ski to the uphill ski (the outside ski in the turn) and initiates the turn.
At first, the turn will be more or less skidded. Try gradually increasing the outside ski's edging to carve the turn.
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What you should be feeling |
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 Your weight over the outside ski. |
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| Your tibiae lightly applying pressure on the boot's tongue, indicating that your knees are bent. |
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| Your pole giving you support. |
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