Mastering Short Radius Turns

Being a versatile skier means being able to ski a variety of turn sizes from great big carving turns to tight little short radius turns. Being able to ski short radius turns in particular is very useful when skiing steeps, moguls, or glades. For those learning how to ski short radius turns, or who just want to improve their short radius skiing, I have developed a short radius progression guaranteed to making you better at skiing short radius turns. Spend at least an entire Ontario-length run performing each one of the following steps before progressing to the next.

1) Side slipping. Slide sideways down the hill increasing edge angle by rolling your ankles and knees up the hill until you come to a stop. Then release your edges by flattening your ski to resume sliding. Repeat over and over again facing one direction until you are halfway down the slope. Then do it facing the opposite direction. Remember to keep your upper body facing down the hill as your legs are across the hill. This will help you develop muscle memory of being counter-rotated. The act of applying edge angle and just importantly, being able to release it, will help you finish your turns strongly and start the next turn in a balanced position.

2) Braquage. Start by side slipping in one direction with your legs (ankles/knees/hips) bent. Turn your legs as you extend (straighten) them as much as possible as you enter the fall line and then bend them as much as possible to bring your skis back across the fall line. Repeat down the hill. The result should be something that looks like sloppy, slidey short radius turns. Tip: the more you bend and extend your legs the easier it will be to turn them. Again, remember to keep your upper body facing down the hill. The object of this step is to improve your pivoting (ability to turn the ski with your foot) and to reinforce counter-rotation.

3) Hockey stops. Point your skis down the hill and then bring them out of the fall line coming to a full stop in one direction. Once you have stopped, plant your pole strongly down the hill. Repeat down the hill alternating directions coming to a full stop with a strong pole plant with each turn. This step will work on your steering as you must bring your skis completely across the hill to stop. Having a strong pole plant down the hill will set you up for your next turn and yes, reinforce counter-rotation.

4) Link it all together. Start your run doing the hockey stop drill above, then a few turns in, stop coming to a complete stop between each turn. You are skiing short radius! You have learned how to apply edge angle and release it in step 1, pivot your skis by unbending and bending your legs in step 2, and steer your skis in step 3. Throughout you have kept your body facing down the hill and using a strong pole plant at the end of your turn, stabilized your upper body so all the skiing happens from the legs, not the upper body.

Now get out there and have fun ripping it up with your small tight turns!