Turning and stopping in skiing involves several techniques, ranging from beginner-friendly methods to more advanced maneuvers. Here's a breakdown:
Turning:
- Wedge Turn (Beginner):
- Form a "wedge" or "pizza slice" shape with your skis, tips close together and tails farther apart.
- To turn, apply more pressure to the ski on the opposite side of the direction you want to go. For example, to turn left, apply more pressure to your right ski.
- The steeper the wedge angle, the slower you will go, and the sharper the turn will be.
- Parallel Turn (Intermediate/Advanced):
- Keep your skis parallel to each other.
- Initiate the turn by leaning into the hill and applying pressure to the edges of your skis.
- Use your body weight and subtle movements to control the turn.
- Carving (Advanced):
- Engage the edges of your skis at a high angle.
- The ski naturally follows the curve of its sidecut, creating a smooth, arcing turn.
- Requires good technique and balance.
Stopping:
- Wedge Stop (Beginner):
- Similar to the wedge turn, create a wedge shape with your skis.
- Increase the angle of the wedge until you slow down and stop.
- This method provides more control for speed.
- Hockey Stop (Intermediate/Advanced):
- Quickly rotate your skis perpendicular to the direction of travel.
- Apply pressure to the edges of your skis to create friction and slow down.
- Requires good balance and coordination.
- Uphill Turn Stop:
- Turn your skis uphill until you naturally come to a stop. The excerpt references "uphill leg" and bringing it into a parallel position.
Summary of Stopping Techniques
| Technique | Description | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|
| Wedge Stop | Creating a wedge shape with skis to slow down and stop. | Beginner |
| Hockey Stop | Quickly rotating skis perpendicular to the direction of travel to stop abruptly. | Intermediate/Advanced |
| Uphill Turn Stop | Turning skis uphill to slow to a complete stop, adjusting the angle until stopped. | Beginner/Intermediate |
