To ski effectively on all-mountain skis, focus on leveraging their inherent versatility by adapting your technique, turn shapes, and speed to suit the conditions.
Mastering all-mountain skis involves utilizing their ability to perform well across various snow types and terrain. Unlike specialized skis (like race skis or powder skis), all-mountain skis are designed as a compromise, excelling when the skier adapts their approach.
Embrace Versatility in Your Skiing
The key to enjoying all-mountain skis is recognizing that they allow you to ski the entire mountain, not just specific sections. This means being comfortable transitioning between different techniques and conditions.
Practice Varying Your Turns
All-mountain skis handle a range of turn radii, making it beneficial to practice different turn shapes and sizes.
- Make different size turn shapes. Experiment with carving wide arcs on groomed runs and making tighter, quicker turns in bumps or trees.
- Start with shorter turns, then longer. Begin your run or session with short, controlled turns to get a feel for the skis, gradually transitioning to longer, faster turns as the terrain and conditions allow and you build confidence.
- Focus on rounder turns, then finish them off. Initiating turns with a rounded shape helps control speed. As you become more comfortable, practice completing your turns fully, engaging the edges for a cleaner, carved finish when appropriate.
Control Your Speed
All-mountain skis are built to be stable at various speeds, but understanding how to manage your speed is crucial for different conditions.
- Practice skiing slower and faster. Skiing slower allows you to navigate variable terrain, tight spots, or icy patches with more control. Experimenting with higher speeds on open, groomed runs helps you feel the ski's stability and edge hold when carving.
Adapt Your Technique: Slide vs. Steer/Carve
Depending on the snow conditions, you'll use different techniques to control your skis. All-mountain skis are forgiving enough to allow for both sliding and carving.
- Focus on sliding more then steering/carving the turns, especially in variable or soft snow. Sliding (or skidding) your turns helps manage speed and navigate through powder, crud, or bumps where a clean carve isn't possible or desirable.
- On groomed terrain, you can transition to steering or carving, actively engaging the ski's edge throughout the turn for a smoother, more powerful ride. All-mountain skis have enough sidecut and edge hold to allow for enjoyable carving.
Practical Tips for Skiing All-Mountain Skis
- Maintain a balanced stance: Stay centered over your skis to easily adapt to changing conditions.
- Look ahead: Scan the terrain to anticipate changes and choose the best line.
- Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different turn types, speeds, and techniques on various parts of the mountain. This is where all-mountain skis shine.
By practicing these variations in turn shape, speed, and technique, you'll unlock the full potential of your all-mountain skis and become a more adaptable skier ready for anything the mountain throws your way.
