3 Levels of Parallel Skiing

Hi & Merry Christmas

This weeks video is the second video in the series: 3 LEVELS OF SKIING. This time we are looking at PARALLEL SKIING. The idea with these videos is to target a larger skilled group of people in the area of focus. WEDGING can be done by both beginners and advanced skiers and will be quite different. Same goes for PARALLEL SKIING.

BEGINNER LEVEL
You have mastered the WEDGE and you are confident you can move on to a bit more challenging terrain. Wedging can be both tiring and slow. Parallel skiing will definitely take you to the next level. Everything will be easier and you will conquer much steeper terrain and you will look much better out there in the winter wonder land. In the WEDGE (STEM) CHRISTIE you make the turn in a wedge but bring your skis PARALLEL at the end to go across the slope maintaining some speed. Because, as you turn your skis into the fall line you accelerate and that's when the wedge helps you keep your speed under control. Then as you come out of the turn and you start to slow down, bringing your skis parallel will keep you going nice and easy. As you become more confident you can start to match your skis earlier in the turn. The WEDGE (STEM) CHRISTIE can be done with or without a pole plant.
NOTE: as you open up the wedge at the start of the turn it is actually an UPHILL STEM you perform with your uphill ski. It's because your weight is on your downhill ski. This is BTW something many will object to but it's important to learn how to distribute weight and pressure between both skis.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Next thing to do would be to drop the wedge at the start of the turn and keep your skis PARALLEL at all times during your skiing. This kind of turn is called a PARALLEL CHRISTIE. Note, there is nothing wrong with resorting back to the WEDGE (STEM) CHRISTIE whenever needed. As I pointed out in many of my previous videos, for example the 3 LEVELS OF WEDGING, you only need to lean out over your outside ski to start a turn. In the PARALLEL CHRISTIE you need to establish a small skid/drift/brush before shifting weight out over your new outside ski. This you do by Up Un-Weighting. Extend your legs up for a the INERTIA effect to kick in and feel the de-crease of pressure underneath your skis. Use the up-ward momentum for slightly pivoting your skis into a skid and as you regain pressure it will be on your outside ski. Take special note of the segment from 2004 where I show the correct stance for PARALLEL SKIING.

ADVANCED LEVEL
When you want to go faster and step up your skiing try CARVING. CARVING means that you ride the side cut of your skis leaving only two sharp edge tracks in the snow behind. A CARVED turn is initiated by tipping your skis on edge. Noting else. No need for Up Un Weighing or turning your skis. Let the skis turn you. Simply tip the skis on edge by leaning out over your outside ski, tipping your skis on edge by tipping your feet, pointing your knees into the turn and ANGULATING at your hip. Remember to keep your shoulders level. Note that as you do this your speed will accelerate. Make sure that the slope is not too steep and that there are no people in the way. Check out my video 4 TIPS 4 SAFER CARVING. Link below.

That's all folks. Hopefully you will have fun skiing this winter and see you out on the slope.

Tom

[wasnatehere]

I actually can't believe how comprehensive this is. Thanks so much.

[DazDaz]

5:08 - this is superb. I've been failing to describe to my kids that a parallel turn is not that different to a wedge/snowplough but those few seconds just nailed it. Thank you!

[seanmchugh]

Your explanation, of the difference between turn types 2 and 3, is exactly what I have been looking for.
Thank you.

[lzgbonesy]

I went skiing today and something just clicked and I went from doing pizza to carving

[julienofitness]

It's quite fascinating how many specific words and descriptions can be used for something that comes so natural to certain people

[xevaxtavax]

Your channel is by far my favorite ski instruction series! Useful, on point, but still laid-back and enjoyable. Thanks! :)

[DebraWeite]

I'm a 47 yr old beginner! Great explanation! Greetings from Las Vegas!

[Hello_there_obi]

another great drill I have found is the double tap. You initiate the turn whilst in a small snowplough, then you lift the inside ski twice as if you were tapping your foot. This forces the skier to put all weight on the outside ski and it really helps them skid and complete the turn. It gives them a feeling of what to look for!

[yossarianreborn]

I'm at a solid 0.5 level. I try to maintain that level, as I feel it gives a confidence boost to everyone else on the mountain when they see me barely survive the kids park.

[АлексейБезбородов-лы]

Simply the best explanation of parallel skiing technique on YouTube. The algorithm suggested me this right after I'd accidentally had my first success in bringing skis parallel and now it's finally got clear in my head. So now I know how I'm going to practice it tomorrow. Keep it up, dude!
P.S. Love your country so much, you guys know a thing or two about how to live in harmony with the nature!

[fergaloceallaigh]

I like this guy. Clear, to the point.

[elmoreglidingclub]

Excellent! Just the information and insight I’ve been seeking. Much appreciated.

[lovemagicandroad]

Lapland in Finland! Very cool, never been there. I’m Swedish, but not even skied in Northern Sweden yet. Yet I’ve skied the Alps, Alta in Utah, NY state, Mountain high, Big Bear mountain, Lake Tahoe and Mammoth in California. Mammoth was really great! Going back there in March. Can’t wait to ski again. Hoping to ski Lapland some day, that looked totally great. Thank you Suomi. Great video. Sending you love from Sweden via California.

[nonyabizniss]

The explanation that broke it through to me, from a book, was

Come out of previous Turn, weight on down hill ski, both skiis always on the same edge,
As you cross shill shift weight to uphill ski
Lean straight down the fall line and roll your edges (and lift inner foot a little if you need to, just keep it parallel)
The uphill ski becomes the downhill ski as you move through the turn (THE SECRET OF SKIING)
Go to step 1 and repeat

You might think that you will fall on your face, but you already have 80% of your weight on the soon to be downhill ski, so it works out beautifully.

Its just a matter of shifting your weight to the uphill ski as you go across the hill.

That is my level 2.5.... I used to actually jump up and twist my skiis when I first self guessed how to parallel. Self taught

[sethrose]

I had my little epiphany on the snow couple weekends ago where I carved so nice I felt weightless. Since then I can’t stop watching videos and yours are great. I want to slow things down and understand how to continue that form.

[gonzalezgonzalez]

Never ever explained better….Thank you
Gracias 🙏

[seanmchugh]

Best ever. Wish I had such a lesson 20 years ago. Damn!!

[cspoon]

Started carving first day. For me, it’s all about just going for it. Don’t be afraid!

[sisyphus]

Wonderful way to “always” bring it back to the wedge! My experience has been to downplay the wedge and not give it any importance. Granted, a novice, intermediate, and advanced skier is still bound by the laws of physics. Regardless of the level of the skier, a balanced, athletic stance is a must. This video helps me incorporate the importance of the wedge. Now know why instructors practice wedge turns and progressions in the early pre-season. Keep up the great work!!!

[MrErling]

Yes. .this is what i like: SLALOM(parallell) I'm typical level 2
Not carving
Thank you Tim! Belive it's gonna be difficult to find ordinary. long slalom skies. Everything is short
carving skies