Activate the entry

 Goal: Dynamic long radius turns
Level: Expert
Suggested terrain: Groomed (nearly flat) beginner terrain
Author: Suzy Chase-Motzkin
Summary: Learn a more active entry into the turn. This exercise uses a trick to get you to cross over your skis in order to get inside the turn earlier.

Photos and Videos coming soon!

IMPORTANT! Understanding our approach and philosophy is important if you'd like to successfully use the drills in Ski Smarts
 ... read more.

With skis pointed across the hill about hip width apart, direct your upper body to face down the hill.

Lift and step the downhill/inside ski toward the flow line--followed by the uphill/outside ski.

Within about three steps, the skis should be pointed down the flow line. From there, steer and shape the turn.

As the skis cross the flow line, immediately step the downhill ski down the flow line.

Step-match, step-match, step-match, steer and shape the turn.

Practice and get comfortable with this movement pattern, then concentrate on stepping cleanly onto the edges of your skis.

  • You should be stepping off the big toe side (inside edge) of the uphill ski and the little toe (outside edge) of the downhill ski.

Tips:

  • Make only tiny steps.
  • Pick a point to focus on and keep your upper body and hands facing towards the bottom of hill.
  • Keep your shoulders level with the hill (don't "tip".)
  • Point the tips of the skis.
  • Face slightly downhill and maintain light contact between your shins and the tongues of your boots--stay in the Sweet spot.
  • Focus on redirecting the legs as you step into the turn.

Print this out for future reference and remember to have fun!