First get a feel for "edging:" Face across
the hill in a traverse position, arms comfortably in front and knees slightly
bent. Roll your knees slightly into the hill--putting your skies "on
edge." Make sure your upper body (from the hips up) face slightly down the
hill.
- Check up the hill for skiers, then start in a
traverse.
While traversing, slowly rise at the knees and
gradually roll your knees down the hill.
- As you roll the knees downhill, you'll start
slipping sideways down the flow line.
Slip for a while then roll your knees back into
the hill to come to a stop.
Do this several times until you've master this
carving exercises.
Now let's apply this skill to
"automatic" turns
- Be sure to keep light contact between your shins
and the front of the boots and keep the upper body facing slightly down the flow
line--stay in the Sweet spot.
On easy terrain, with few people around, make
"Automatic turns" as described in the previous exercise.
As your skis cross the flow line and point across
the hill, roll your knees into the hill. This puts your skis further on edge.
To start a "Carved automatic turn,"
combine the weight shift already practiced, with the simultaneous downhill roll
of the knees.
So: As you cross the flow line, your knees lean
into the hill. You then start the new turn by gradually shifting weight to the
uphill ski and rolling your knees downhill.
The turn--a loong one--will automatically happen
and as you start facing down the flow line, roll your knees towards the inside
of the turn. This will shorten the turn somewhat because of the carve you've
added.
Keep practicing these long, drawn out turns and
learn to feel a carved turn--all the while staying in the "sweet
spot."
Play around with more and less edging.
Groomed, easy intermediate slope