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Effective and ineffective edging

Effective edging
Focus on moving forward, in the direction of the new turn and through the boot cuffs to create
• Round turn shape
• Long leg/short leg w/ edge engagement
• Consistent stance width
• Parallel shins and boots, maintaining forward and lateral contact
• Tension of the inside leg helps maintain alignment. Flexion of the inside ankle directs movement forward and laterally for edge-angle adjustments.

Both skis should move to the new edges simultaneously versus sequentially, while striving to maintain ski/snow contact (with both skis).
• Angulation occurs early in the turn
• Smooth transitions
• Snow sprays to the side of the hill
• Both skis tip the same amount early in the turn with the strongest angles developing in or near the fall line.

Edge release and re-engagement should happen in one fluid movement.
• The tracks will show this
• Skier doesn’t hold on to the turn to long
• Tails do not displace

The positive engagement of the skis’ tips should draw you into the turn versus displacing the tails to start the turn.

We create the image of arcing into the apex versus just arcing away from it.
• The strongest angles are created in the fall line

Strive to use the skis’ design as effectively as possible.

Ineffective edging
Without appropriate edging skills, the skier is unable to control the radius, shape or speed of the turn.
• The skis tip onto an edge late in the turn (in or after the fall line) creating a fast and heavy edge set at the end of the turn.
• The skier stands straight up before moving into the turn or moves up and back instead of in a diagonal direction toward the turn.
• The skier uses extra movements, such as lifting the inside ski or stemming to change edges.
• The skier may over-flex the hips or knees to tip the skis onto an edge.
• The skier’s movement into the turn is inaccurate, causing loss of alignment and balance.

Note: Look for reasons why the skier may be forced into a sequential edge release pattern. It could be because the center of mass has not moved forward enough. Is there excessive lead change to initiate edge release?

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