Intermediate Ski Lesson #4.1 - Turn Shape

Ski School Intermediate on the iTunes App Store:

Watch our other ski technique films, have a look at the Ski School Apps, and remember for your safety that they are a supplement, not a replacement to on-slope tuition with a qualified ski instructor.

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[janinedraschner]

“Control speed before turn” super useful advice—made a big difference for me and made skiing much more enjoyable! Thanks

[Fancal]

Last year, watching your videos and breakdown of techniques helped me achieve a breakthrough. Thanks!

[BGRommel]

I've taken up skiing this year (38 years too late!), and you're videos have been incredibly helpful. I watch one or two before I leave for the mountain every time and then try to practice the learning. Thanks for a great series.

[TheLynniebob]

I started sking at age 50, not an easy thing to do - but I've been watching (and re-watching) your videos since before I put on my first pair of skis. I always take a lesson, but your instructions are always in my head and my sking has improved so much! Just booked my first ski trip of the season and can't wait. Thank you so much 🏂

[stevewiggins]

Great instruction. I'm 64 and I watched your series with my Grandaughter, who is 10. We watch a video on each chairlift ride and are quickly starting to look like we know what we are doing. Thanks for the boost.

[kevinpro]

is the only channel that people comment nice on.

[skng]

Very happy to know that you find them useful, remember you can have them on an app so they are with you on your holiday.I teach in a place called Serre Chevalier in the southern French Alps, hope you have a great holiday.

[Tuwiuu]

Those 6k+ thumbs up man. Never seen a simple annotation asking for a thumbs up recieving such a response.
You earned it, this series is great - I'm mostly interested in snowboarding but I'm still watching this just cause it's so compelling and well made.

[massmouth]

Darren, these videos are fantastic and so helpful. You explain all the common mistakes and bad habits but how to work through them. Excellent stuff. Off to Les Arcs in a couple of weeks and budget tight so can't afford ski lessons but these videos will help me progress.

[andreketering]

going skiing this friday for the first time in almost 3 years (i am a southerner) these videos have helped me so much, thank you!

[skng]

It's all about rotating your feet quickly and then gradually edging to control speed, rotating your feet and not your upperbody this will allow you to turn and control your speed faster, we have filmed a clip for this I will post it as soon as I can. thanks Darren

[markpalmer]

Hi Great advice and thumb up all the way. I'm going To St Anton in a couple of weeks. I returned to skiing 2 years ago after a 11 year break. It took a couple of days to get back into it. My problem was a lack of confidence on skiing narrow runs usually back to the village. Controlling my speed was the problem, almost to the point I nearly go the lift back at the end of the day. PS when I went 2 years ago, it was the first time on carvers!! I class myself as an intermediate but feel like a complete beginner on the narrow slops. thanks Mark

[skng]

Finding a good instructor isn't always as easy as it should be. Pleased to hear the films helped you enjoy your skiing, and try not to be intimidated by people flying past you, thanks again Darren

[derekbland]

Back to skining next month and the month after after 5 year away. The videos help me remember all the things I have been taught in the past.

[skng]

@apple07ME It's very easy to make things sound more complicated than they have to be, very pleased you liked the films good luck with your skiing.

[PAman]

wow, this video answers my question of why I spent so much strength to brake for each turn to achieve my comfortable speed that my muscle was exhausted very quickly. Thank you!

[qwie]

I was a zig zagger and always felt out of control on blues or the steep part of greens. I can ski them without issues but it was always 'go -> slam on brakes with that twist/hop -> turn'. Seeing this made me smoothly ski down blues without any issues the very next day. Of course this was after a trip to the bunny hill to get rid of my bad habits.

[kathygawley]

It has taken me a time to get to where I look like I'm skiing in video 4.1.  Starting at age 50 has been a challenge, and I am enjoying the journey.  I want to get better, and not fear tougher terrain. 

[stannow]

Thanks for the lesson. The demonstration was excellent. I can only add that turn initiation begins with sliding the downhill ski forward while moving the hips downhill, and then bending the knees, which can be seen in the video.

So right ski forward to turn right and left ski forward to turn left, with hips downhill a bit and then bending the knees downhill going into the turn.

This puts the skis on edge to make the turn for us, if we can keep be smooth about it. It takes practice, even for the best of us.

[GeroLubovnik]

This is the best video you've done, Mr. Turner.  I'm surprised that others haven't mentioned turn shape. This is a CRITICAL element in skiing!!! In fact I think it is the most important thing when you ski.  A skier can have the "hottest" moves and a lousy turn shape and his skiing will be never be dynamic, whilst a skier with a great turn shape can be easily adjusted to be a very good skier with just a few mechanical corrections (as long as they haven't been taught to ski with the snowplow that they have to unlearn).