Ski
How to turn on skis Tips and techniques for successful turns
Turns are at the heart of skiing: they guarantee safety, control and pleasure on the slopes. From the very first descents to the most advanced levels, knowing how to turn enables you to manage your speed, adapt your trajectory and take full advantage of every terrain. Depending on the slope, snow and conditions, technique evolves. This step-by-step guide will help you master turns, gain fluidity and ski with confidence, whatever the slope.
Learn to ski
Much more than a simple technical gesture, turns are an essential skill for successful skiing. They are at the heart of safety, pleasure and progress for amateurs. They enable you to control your speed, maintain your trajectory, and make the most of your downhill runs, whatever the terrain.
Whether you're a beginner or an expert, the Méribel ski pass is your passport to exploring the slopes. From your very first descents, the turn is the first step towards autonomy. For more experienced skiers, it becomes a real mastery tool: managing your speed, optimizing your trajectory and taking full advantage of the different slopes. The key, however, lies in adapting the way you turn to suit the terrain, the type of snow and your equipment.
Conditions vary enormously from soft green to icy black, from powder to spring snow. Each situation requires adjustments to facilitate control.
This guide introduces you to the various techniques, from the most basic to the most advanced, for learning to turn on skis. You'll discover tips for negotiating technical passages, as well as examples of situations that will enable you to :
secure your descent by controlling your speed and trajectory;
adapt your practice to the slope, the snow and your level;
enjoy skiing more with fluidity and confidence.
Discover all the techniques for turning skis, from the most basic to the most advanced, with tips for negotiating technical passages and concrete examples that will help you :
- secure your descent by controlling your speed and trajectory;
- adapt your practice to the slope, the snow and your level;
- take more pleasure in skiing with fluidity and confidence.
Controlling your speed
Speed is the very basis of ski control. It is the most important element to master before any other manoeuvre. Improperly managed, it makes turns difficult and puts you and others at risk. To progress, it can be useful to train regularly or to take a course with an instructorméribel ski school. Mastering speed then becomes the first step towards safer, more enjoyable riding, where every obstacle or change in terrain can be anticipated with confidence.
On well-liked trails, such as the blue Lac de la Chambre in the Col de la Chambre sector, good speed management helps avoid collisions. You'll find it easier to adapt to the crowds. This precaution also makes it possible to negotiate steep sections without stress on more technical trails such as the red Julie in the Mont de la Challe sector.
To manage your speed, several basic techniques are very effective:
The Snowplow: Perfect for beginners, it allows you to slow down and turn easily. You need to spread your heels apart and bring your ski tips together to increase the friction of the skis on the snow and naturally reduce speed.
The Wide Turn: Suitable for intermediate skiers. This involves extending the curve of the turn to gradually reduce speed. This technique provides great stability and more control.
The Skid: This technique allows for quick braking. It consists of sliding the skis sideways to slow down. The skis should be perpendicular to the slope to slide across and dissipate energy.
Speed management does not depend solely on technique: it varies according to the slope, the type of snow, and the traffic on the piste. On hard or icy snow, be especially cautious, whereas soft snow naturally slows you down. Develop essential reflexes: anticipate obstacles, read the terrain, and keep an eye on skiers below you to descend with confidence and safety.
Controlling your stance
Body position is the basis of all skiing. It directly influences the success of turns. In fact, a well-positioned skier will be more balanced, more responsive and better prepared to absorb changes in terrain. Conversely, a poorly adjusted posture makes turns imprecise and increases the risk of falling.
To gain stability and more easily anticipate your turns, adopt the basic stance: weight slightly forward, shins pressing against the tongue of your boots, knees bent to absorb movements, hips centered, and shoulders aligned with the slope.
Watch out for common mistakes! One of the most frequent among beginners is skiing backward out of fear. This position limits mobility, reduces the skis’ contact with the snow, and increases the risk of falling. Stay active, centered, and slightly forward-leaning to make full use of your skis and maximize control.
A good stance is not just for maintaining balance: it also improves fluidity and responsiveness. The more dynamic your position, the more natural your turn transitions become, and the better you develop precise control over your skis.
Controlling your direction: taking a turn and changing your footing
Beyond speed and stance, a successful turn relies on edging and weight placement. Initiating the turn begins with transferring your weight onto the outside ski: this movement directs your trajectory and helps maintain your balance
The eyes play an equally crucial role. They should anticipate the direction even before the skis move. By focusing your gaze toward the turn, your body naturally prepares to follow the curve: your shoulders and hips align correctly, making coordination between the upper and lower body easier.
This coordination directly affects the fluidity of your movements. The upper body follows along while the lower body executes. Your legs adapt to the slope, and your torso stays stable, facing downhill, for smooth transitions.
Planting your poles just before the turn can enhance this coordination. It helps you initiate the movement with rhythm, add momentum, and link turns more easily. The result is a smoother, more controlled, and less tiring turn. With regular practice, this motion becomes natural and quickly accelerates your progress.
Negotiating a technical passage
Visit difficult passages require technical and mental adaptation. Negotiating them requires anticipation, mastery and adaptability, all of which you'll need to develop during your training physical preparation for skiing. Whether it’s a steep slope, a bumpy section, or changing snow conditions, the goal remains the same: stay balanced and dynamic. Black runs like Bartavelle or Ibex at Méribel-Mottaret are perfect for putting these techniques into practice.
To stay in control, keep your knees well bent: they absorb shocks and allow you to react quickly. Your weight should be evenly distributed or slightly forward to avoid tipping backward. On bumps, pivot your skis at the top and absorb the descent with your legs, so you can master the terrain instead of being carried by it.
Snow conditions also require adjustments:
On hard-packed or icy snow, engage your edges more to secure your turns.
On soft or heavy snow, favor short, dynamic turns, and widen them to better distribute your weight.
Finally, always look ahead and read the terrain. Anticipating the slope allows you to choose the ideal turn radius and avoid mistakes that can lead to a fall. Keep a consistent flow of turns to control your speed and maintain mastery, even on the most challenging sections.
Mastering edge grip
Edges correspond to metal edges located under your skis. Their use enables skiers to control their trajectory, regulate their speed and gain in precision. It consists of pressing the inner edge of the ski to grip the snow, allowing you to steer your skis and control your speed with greater ease.
A light grip slows down smoothly and provides control. Ideal for beginners or skiers on moderate slopes. Conversely, a strong grip allows you to make sharp turns, maintain speed when carving or change direction quickly without losing momentum. Poor grip management can lead to :
loss of balance;
involuntary accelerations;
preventable falls.
To progress, it is advisable to work on the edge grip on soft paths you'll feel the reaction of the skis by deliberately accentuating the support. Focus on bending your knees, transferring your weight to the outside ski and looking in the right direction. This mastery is acquired progressively by working on wide, groomed tracks.
However, there are some common mistakes to be avoided: too abrupt an incline or an unbalanced upper body can quickly lead to loss of control. Regular training is essential to learn how to feel the grip and measure effort precisely.
Getting up after a fall
Falls are part of learning to ski. Know get up correctly is essential to avoid unnecessary fatigue and regain your confidence. It may seem complicated, especially on a slope, but there's a simple, effective method for doing it safely.
The first step is to position your skis perpendicular to the slope. This prevents them from slipping again and makes it easier for you to remain stable. Then turn slightly sideways, facing the slope, rather than lying on your back, to maintain better control.
Use the sticks for support, always starting on the uphill side. They provide afulcrumto push off and regain your balance. Then stand up, gradually bringing your weight back onto your skis, with knees slightly bent and supports centered.
Once up, check your equipment: bindings, boots and poles. Make sure everything is in order before setting off. A good survey also helps to avoid repeated falls. Don't rush: take a moment to breathe and find your bearings.
Getting up calmly allows you to regain your confidence. You accept the mistake, analyze what caused it and leave with an improved technique. With practice, this gesture becomes natural, allowing you to enjoy your work to the full downhill.
FAQ
Progression in the way you turn is achieved through regularity. Rather than going straight for the steep slopes, practice more on the short descents, working on the fluidity of the turns.
You also need to work on the support transfer stick planting and edge grip. If you find it difficult to progress on your own, ask for lessons with an instructor to improve your technique quickly and safely.
Above all, you need skis adapted to your level. Short, flexible models are ideal for beginners. They turn more easily. For more experienced skiers, opt for parabolic skis with an adapted radius to facilitate carving. Boots need to be well fitted to ensure good energy transfer and a good grip better reactivity on bends.
The most common mistake is to stay too far back, which locks the skis and reduces control. Another is not looking in the direction of the turn, or forgetting to turn weight transfer. Finally, you maximize the risk of falling and slow your progress when you try to go too fast without mastering the basics.
Yes, every terrain requires adaptation. On the hard snow on soft snow, you need to engage the edges more, while on hard snow, you need to opt for short turns. On steep slopes, you need to rely on bending the legs and planting the pole. Advanced skiers need to adapt their technique to the different snow conditions ground conditions.
