Retraction Extension Ski Turns - Low stance transitions

Watch my slow-motion demo of a retraction extension style turn. In this technique, I flex my legs at the end of the turn, keep them flexed, and then extend them laterally—without raising my center of gravity much. This type of transition isn’t the ultimate answer to all turns, but it’s extremely useful at higher speeds, on steeper slopes, or when you want a quicker transition between turns. It’s a great technique to practice, and I’m still working on it! Give it a go yourself this ski season ☃️

Skier: Tom Gellie, Director of Big Picture Skiing
Location: SilverStar Resort, Canada

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[simonp]

You ride like crazy… i watch alot of your vids they are great. All your drill make so much sense when you think about it. Im a advance rider that have master carving long time ago. Maybe you should insert in your carving concept fron shin pressure in your progression carving vids, to boost that grabbing / turning effect. You truly nail the way it should be teach… Dont stop your work.

[McQzv]

Beautiful turns Tom! Exactly the type of skiing I love — dynamic, agile, and exhausting 😅 . Appreciate this breakdown. Will check out the expanded video

[jerl.]

Great view of the technique. I have started doing this 2 years ago trying to reduce my old tendency to be up/down. I have found that the new skis when pressure correctly gives me the freedom to think and work on ankle flexion and roll. When you fund the sweet spot they are almost on auto pilot on well groomed trails.

[delllogitech]

Finally someone is talking about retraction! Super easy, super fun, super efficient way of transition. However you need some speed to have more centrifugal force.

[AthelstanEngland]

OK the shadow of the gopro invisible selfie stick really threw me!!! :) I was just about to order a third pole!

[Skedawg]

Fun to do but only a part of the tool bag. If done for a good while? Fatigue. Thanks Tom.

[kosteckikrystian]

Tom I do really appreciate all your content and tutorials, could you elaborate a little bit about equipment? I would love to learn and try a little of this in the new season. Having 74kg and 176cm, 43 years already, what skis would recommend to improve my carving skills, higher edge angles, smoth transmission 😊. I would love to have something (skis) on my boots that gives me confidence while are still quite flexible for different terrain type, because we hardly have here the perfect conditions. 😊 Thnk you in advance for all stuff you are doing and kindly appreciate any response from you.

[simhanssens]

Hey there Tom! I was analysing some of Ted Ligety's turns yesterday and now see the same phenomenon here on your skiing. Is there a reason that you both have diverging ski's when you're at your highest edge angle point?

I find it really fascinating we always train to not have this happen but then when looking at these top end carv turns it seems to happen naturally.
Is it because of the activation of the inner foot at this high level of skiing, is it just because of the biomechanichs of the human body while unweighting the outside ski in combination with inclination, angulation and the G forces of the turn or even something completely different?

What's your take on this?

[gmorissett]

Whenever I see an expert make some perfect round turns like this, I can’t help wondering what is the true weight distribution between the legs. This certainly looks almost 60-40 as every advices I get is to put as much weight as possible on the outside leg. Are there some variations possible depending on the snow conditions, speed etc ?

[richallsopp]

Do you have any feedback on why "it isn't the best technique"? Not saying that it is, just curious of the pros and cons

[deanl]

So I am confused....isn't this how you mostly transition between your turns Tom? To me, your transitions always look to be pretty compact?

[brentboden]

That’s what I was taught is Austrian style.