Skiing Short Radius Turns

The shape of a ski is like an hourglass, wide at the top and bottom, and narrow in the center. With the right technique, the hourglass shape will assist in giving you more control. Your skis will slip less as you turn. Short radius turns are about as wide as one groomer's pass, so you'll make a lot more turns as you ski down the hill compared to the same amount of distance down the hill as larger turns. Short radius turns are physically demanding. The more turns you make the harder your muscles will work. Once you master short radius turns you'll be prepared for the necessary quick turns in the moguls.

In short radius turns your upper body is always looking downhill because shorter turns require quicker edge changes and more angulation on your lower legs. This is accomplished be keeping the top half of your body; your head, shoulders, arms and chest facing downhill. The bottom half, hips and legs will turn to the left and right. To do this you'll have to act as if your legs are separated from the upper body at the waist.

The illustration on the right shows pole touches and when to shift your weight up and down. First, initiate the turn with your pole touch. Secondly, bend your knees and ankles so your weight shifts down with your weight focused on the inside edge of the down hill ski. This is only for a brief moment. As you exit the turn, flex your knees, straightening out your legs, and shifting you weight back up. Repeat the process: down, up; down, up; down, up.

Technique tips for short radius turns:

• Maintain a dynamic stance with your weight forward, feet slightly apart.
• Your upper body should stay stable and face downhill, while your lower half shifts direction.
• Keep both skis together in the same direction.
• To achieve a carved turn, avoid skidding by keeping you weight on the downhill ski and keeping your skis parallel when complete your turns as you cross the fall line.