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Breaking down the turn

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Turn shape
All turns have a shape (C, S, J, Z)

Different movements will create different shapes.
  • If you shove the skis sideways to slow down, you create a Z turn
  • If you continue turning your skis up the hill until you stop, you create a J turn
  • If you actively steer the skis through the turn and cross the fall line, you create a C or S shaped turn
The Fall Line
Imagine the path a big red ball would take falling down the slope
The path of least resistance, the place where the skis are pointed downhill
This can be scary but is a great place to teach speed control through shaping


Turn size
Turns come in short, medium and long size. There is also the popular shmedium (no idea how to spell it) that falls in between short and medium. Turns are described by radius size. The radius is the distance between the center of the turn with any point on its edge.

Phases of the turn
1. Initiation Phase
• The mass of the body moves over the skis and to the inside of the new turn
• This involves changing the edge and shifting weight from one ski to the other

2. Shaping Phase
• Skier guides the skis through the apex of the run and accelerates as the skis point downhill
• Many skiers rush through this phase

3. Finishing Phase
• Skier completes the turn while simultaneously preparing for the next turn.
• The edging of the skis and inclination of the body lessen as the skier allows the center of mass to come over the tops of the skis
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