How to Turn Skiing: Wedge - Snowplow - Pizza

You’re just about ready to go once you have your stance and posture. Below is the basic wedge or as when I grew up we called it the snowplow and snowplow turns. You may have also heard it called the pizza or the wedge. We have divided the technique into three sections: a straight run, first turns, and linking your turns.

Before you begin, here are some tips.
• As the skis begin to drift into the fall line, steer both skis through the turn.
• Keep your upper body facing slightly down the hill at all times so when you turn you’re twisting your hips.
• Keep your shins in contact with the tongues of the boots.
• Once you begin your turns, stay committed so your movements flow without pausing or hesitation.

• Choose your terrain carefully. Look for a green circle trail without a crowd and make sure that the slope is gentle and not too long.

In the dynamic stance, begin gliding straight down the fall line , skis pointed straight ahead.

As you start your glide, begin directing your skis into a wedge by pointing your tips together and tails apart. Gradually increase the size of the wedge by lowering your body and turning your toes further inward and the tails further apart.

• Practice going from having your skis straight and pushing to a wedge; adjusting the wedge from narrow to wide and back again. Notice the wider your wedge or snowplow, the slower you go.

Tips:
• If the hill seems too steep, try starting with your skis pointed slightly across the hill and glide across like that.
• Focus on keeping a balanced position with your hands in front of your body.

• Choose your terrain carefully. Pick a quiet area and make sure that the slope is very short, very gentle and has a natural run out at the end.

• Before you go, look for oncoming skiers.

From the dynamic stance, point your wedge diagonally across the hill.

Gently turn your upper body (including your hips) to face somewhat down the hill--along the fall line.

You have one ski that is on the downhill side and one that is on the uphill side.

As you ski across the hill, lift the toes of the downhill foot, keep the ski on the snow. See the blue arrow in the diagram. Hold them up until the ski tips start to point down the hill.

As soon as the wedge points almost straight down the hill, put pressure on the inside edge of the other ski. This will help to redirect the wedge back across the hill completing your first turn.

Try this exercise with both wide and narrow wedges.

Tips
    • Always keep your shins lightly in contact with the tongue of the boots!
    • Be sure to keep your shoulders and navel directed slightly down the hill
    • While in the wedge position lifting the toes makes one ski lighter and naturally initiates turning toward the fall line, automatically moving you into the turn. This allows the other ski to power its way through the turn.

Linking wedge turns is simply making one wedge turn after another across the slope and down the hill.

Before you begin decide which direction you want go which will determine which direction you will begin your turns.

Start in the dynamic stance with the wedge on a gentle slope. Ski in a wedge and start your turn by lifting the toes of the downhill foot. As the skis begin to drift into the fall line add the power by pressing on the inside edge or steering the other ski. Keep your shins in contact with the front of the boot and keep the action going until the skis have turned and are pointed in the other direction.

When you’re ready to make your next turn repeat the process. Lift the downhill ski's toes and once you’re pointing downhill put pressure on the inside edge of the other ski.

As you practice, try making the wedge a little smaller. Then play around with different wedge shapes and speeds.

For smooth turns, focus on:
    • RELAX, have confidence.
    • Look where you’re going and plan your turns
    • Keep all joints flexed comfortably in the dynamic position
    • Keep your weight forward with your shins in contact with the tongues of the boots.
    • Sing a rhythmic song. You may see other more experienced skiers wearing headphones listening to the favorite music, that helps them with their timing.
    • Making the movements flow from one action to the other without pausing or hesitation.
    • Turn both feet at the same time: Think of riding a bicycle with clipped in pedals: one foot is pulling up a pedal while the other is going down.