PARALLEL SKIDDING TO CARVING TURNS | Intermediate lesson w/ Tom Gellie | Ep.2 Technique Teardowns

If a world-class instructor watched you ski past, what's the one piece of advice they would give to help transform your skiing?
Wonder no longer! We've teamed up with Carv Ambassador and APSI Level 4 instructor Tom Gellie to bring you the second episode of our Technique Teardown series.

In today’s lesson Tom takes a look at some skiing footage submitted by Paula. Paula is looking to improve her technique before meeting her expert skiing friend this coming winter in the French Alps.

Tom identifies some valuable take home points which should send Paula off in the right direction for her next skiing day. The following points are covered in today’s episode:
- The importance of subtle foot pressure adjustments for better edge grip.
- Shin pressure, what is the right amount?
- The risks of leaning too far forward .

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What's a Technique Teardown?
Get advice direct from a pro, so you're ready for a breakthrough the next time you're out carving the groomers, or tackling the off-piste.
The best bit? The next video could be you.
Upload a video of you skiing for your chance to be featured in the next Technique Teardown.
Follow this link for all the details:

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For more how to ski content make sure to check out our other ski improvement videos:
- How to ski in tough terrain:
- How to ski with balance:
- How to ski with flow:
- Carving with early edge angles:
- 4 Advanced skiing mistakes and how to fix them:
- How to increase your edge angle:

Timecodes
0:00 - Introduction to technique teardown series
0:31 - Introduction to Paula
0:45 - Paula's skiing goals
1:01 - A lack of edge grip
2:45 - Shin pressure vs soul of foot pressure
4:50 - Side by side analysis
7:31 - At home exercise
9:40 - Take home tips
10:20 - Watch more content

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[AdamJPaul]

I have some more insight into the problem, since I ski tend to ski exactly like Paula on steeper runs, and am trying to work on it. Fear/confidence is probably a big factor here, and maybe Paula equates turning to braking, and going slower gives her the feeling of control (it does for me). That could be why turns are so rushed, because she's nervous to point the skis downhill and be patient with turns, because when you're patient, you tend to pick up speed. I had an instructor tell me "slow down to turn, don't turn to slow down" and that's helped me realize I need to be patient with turns, which plays into the body position you discuss.

[heinrichvermeulen]

I have never ever seen a video on technique this good. I love the way that you start with the problem of a 'normal' skier, show it practically and then clearly show how this needs to be corrected. Will definitely add you channel. Thanks Tom.

[jimbeam]

I think Paula and many intermediate skiers are (consciously or unconsciously) trying to keep their downhill speed at comfort levels. As you demonstrate, carving those turns requires patience, and that patience brings with it increased cross-slope and downhill speeds which can be unnerving to intermediate skiers who are not confident they can make the next turn away from the trees or stay in control as they speed downhill. Your vid and analysis are excellent!

[CSavall-fjpy]

Lots of good info here, Have to say though, the side-by-side at 5:50 shows two dramatically different levels of skiing, Paula = survival, you = dynamic skiing. The ability to achieve high edge angles required for carving, without a massive increase in physicality, combined with increased speed, will take Paula years to achieve. It's a physical impossibility to achieve the edge angle on the right at slow speeds without falling over. Forces of physics, and skeletal/joint limitations, require higher speeds to load up the skis and counterbalance your entire body tipping over. Look at Paula's entire body at 5:50, if she tipped her body over as far as yours, at the speed she's going, immediate fall. Becoming a better skier requires overcoming fear, Paula is skiing scared, you're not. "Breakthrough on Skis" - best book I've read on overcoming the fear that will set you free. Hence the old adage - just point 'em and go.

[momcat]

This is the video I’ve been searching for! I’ve been ‘skidding’ for years and no other video or instructor has explained the reason and the remedy for it as succinctly as you do. Thank you Tom and Paula!

[kevinmurphy]

This is just excellent instruction- virtually all intermediate skiers have the same issues - thanks a million Tom

[asdzt]

My style of skiing is a mirror copy of Paula's. With the addition of my shins hurting like hell after three days of skiing. Thank you very much for the analysis.

[Ecoroof]

So so many time you hear 'experts' say push your shin hard to the front of the boot. Everything you just said makes so much sense. Thank you

[coachsamlouie]

This is the best explanation bar none. I learned to skid ski as a teenager with friends and never improved over the years resigning myself to never getting better. This is dramatically helping.

[katietwardy]

We always hear that “you need to keep forward over the tips of the skis”. When I was learning I felt like it meant I had to try and press my shins forward and raise my heels. Thanks for clearing this up.

[vincentcoluccio]

Excellent demonstration. I’ve been skiing for 45 years and have never seen the technicals broken down this well . Thank you 👍

[andreichitu]

I litteraly just came back from a 4 day ski trip, I am a beginner and now i understand why I was skidding, I ski just like Paula right now, hope to improve in the future, thanks for the tips!

[komaromykornel]

This video just helped me the most and put me to the edge finally; all the years pushing to be better now has it's harvest, having the video as the final push. Thanks a lot! :)

[alibaba-rbpd]

I've watched a tons of videos by the years for how to improve skiing, but this one is amazing! Thank you!

[markstenner]

This is so helpful. Thanks for putting in the effort with the real “struggle” footage and the overlays of your skiing.

[michellewimer]

OMG!!! Thank you for your incredibly descriptive video, on skidding . I could never pinpoint or explain what I was trying to combat on the mountain side and seeing Paula and your videos absolutely opened my eyes to what is going on with my technique and how I can improve . I already feel so much more confident in knowing once I can balance between the ball of my foot and heel I will begin to notice more control in my turns in skiing downhill. WHEW!!!

[ultradeep]

Great breakdown. Personally, I think you've got to be comfortable with speed to carve well. People who skid are often a bit apprehensive, and are trying to keep the brakes on.

[georgecuster]

And don’t forget the most important thing is to smile while skiing . 😃

[CoachEd]

Great job. As a self taught skier, I think I’m advanced but really these videos make me realize I’m just an intermediate. Keep the awesome content coming!

[Peter-dogy]

This video along with your lesson on skiing through the soles of your feet to allow you to push forward during the first half of a turn and the subtle shifting back through the second half of a turn together will help anyone trying to improve their carved turns. Really good!