Ice skill building: Skiing ice gracefully

Goal
: Conquering ice
Level: Expert
Suggested terra
in: Groomed expert terrain.
Author: Suzy Chase-Motzkin
Summ
ary:
Ski ice either slower by energetically jamming from edge set, to edge set, or as explained here, gracefully and fast with progressive edging.

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.


This is the fast way to ski ice. Turns are longer and you'll need to be perfectly balanced (in the Sweet spot) to get it right.

The objective here is to stay in a carve as long as possible, using delicate edging and pressure techniques.

Edge way early in the turn as you extend off the outside ski--let the outside ski's knee chase after the inside leg to increase the edge angle. Apply pressure progressively to avoid breaking the ski away from you.

Tips:

  • Avoid overextending the outside leg to where it becomes static--a sure way to induce chatter where the ski breaks away and grips in rapid succession.
  • Push the outside ski forward just a tiny bit as it crosses the flow line--adding pressure to the tail.
  • Avoid going into a traverse--keep those turns coming.
  • Make nicely shaped turns--no rapid pivoting.

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