Connecting turns in skiing involves a smooth transition from the end of one turn to the beginning of the next, allowing you to maintain flow and control down the slope. This transition typically involves shifting your weight, adjusting your edge angle, and managing your speed.
The Transition Phase
Linking turns isn't just finishing one turn and starting another; it's a dynamic movement between them. As you complete one turn, you prepare for the next by:
- Gradually releasing the pressure on the downhill ski's edge.
- Allowing your skis to move across the fall line (the steepest part of the slope).
- Shifting your weight towards the direction of the new turn.
This phase is often referred to as the "transition" or "release."
Technique for Linking Turns
A key aspect of connecting turns, particularly in parallel skiing, is managing the edge pressure and allowing the ski to become more flat on the snow briefly during the transition. According to the provided video snippet, one technique to achieve this flatter ski position is by:
- Lifting the big toe: The reference states, "...And with this big toe I'm just going to try and lift it off of the snow. And what that does that allows my skin to roll more flat. And Sam allows me to slide down the hill...."
Lifting the big toe can help you subtly reduce pressure on the inside edge of your foot (and thus the inside edge of the ski), promoting a flatter ski or even encouraging the ski to roll slightly onto its outside edge, facilitating the transition and allowing the ski to slide more easily down the hill as you prepare to engage the edges for the new turn.
Steps for a Smooth Transition
While lifting the big toe is a specific tactile cue, the overall process involves:
- Finishing the current turn: Control your speed and direction by pressuring the edges.
- Releasing edge pressure: As you come across the fall line, ease off the edge pressure on your skis. This is where techniques like subtly lifting the big toe can help flatten the ski.
- Skis become flatter/slide: With reduced edge angle, the skis will briefly flatten or even slide slightly sideways down the hill.
- Initiating the new turn: Begin to roll your knees and ankles in the new turn direction, applying pressure to the new downhill ski's edge to carve or steer the ski into the arc.
Practice and Flow
Developing smooth linked turns requires practice. Focus on the feeling of releasing and re-engaging your edges. The transition should feel fluid, not jerky. The goal is to move continuously from the end of one arc into the beginning of the next, maintaining balance and momentum.
