How to Turn When Skiing

Turning while skiing is fundamentally about using the edges of your skis to guide your path down the slope and change direction. It's not like steering a bicycle; instead, you tilt your skis onto their sides to engage the edges in the snow.

## Mastering Edging Through Ankle Control

A primary method for initiating turns and controlling which edges are engaged is through targeted ankle movement, as described in basic skiing instruction. By manipulating your ankles, you can subtly tilt your skis to the desired edge angle.

According to fundamental skiing techniques, **when you want to turn, move your ankles to the side to roll onto the edge of your skis.** This action applies pressure to the chosen edge, allowing the ski to grip the snow and arc into a turn.

## Directional Turning with Ankles

The specific direction you move your ankles dictates the direction of your turn:

*   **For a Right Turn:** **If you want to turn toward the right, move your ankles toward the right side.** This rolls you onto the right edges of both skis, initiating a turn to the right.
*   **For a Left Turn:** **To move toward the left, position your ankles onto the left edge.** This rolls you onto the left edges of both skis, initiating a turn to the left.

**Key Principle:** It's important to remember to **move both ankles toward the same side in either case.** Synchronizing your ankle movement ensures both skis edge together smoothly, providing balance and control throughout the turn.

This ankle-driven edging is a foundational technique for skiers learning to control their direction on the mountain.