Edge From Your Feet Up

When it comes to tipping your skis up on edge, there are a few ways to do it. You can tip your whole body laterally inside the turn, you can tip your feet and legs separate from you upper body, or you can do it the correct way and combine both.

Derek demonstrates proper technique

Derek demonstrates improper technique

When done separately, you limit your ability to control edge angle, manipulate turn shape, and often times get stuck riding the ski’s sidecut. Combining lateral movement and upper/lower body separation, you can control when and how much edge angle is produced much more efficiently, especially when you start tipping your skis from the feet up. Doing this puts you in a great place to make quick changes. So you can choose when your skis slide, slip, skid, and carve, and that’s maximizing ski performance!

Now that you’ve read this, get on to the important things in your day, like going out on snow to TIP & RIP!

Read the rest of the series:
Week 1 – Come prepared
Week 2 – Tune ups
Week 3 –  Early season conditions
Week 4 –  Skills not hills
Week 5 – Use the whole ski
Week 6 – Always be moving
Week 7 – Find your rhythm
Week 8 – Trust your outside ski
Week 9 – Like riding a bike
Week 10 – Carving and Steeps

Derek Althof has 16 years experience in the ski industry and is Deer Valley’s ski school training manager and an alpine examiner and clinic leader for the Professional Ski Instructors of America’s Central and Intermountain Divisions. Derek learned to ski at age 4 and has had a passion for good skiing ever since.

We hope you enjoy our weekly skiing tips. Please remember that they can help but will not eliminate risks, as skiing is a dynamic sport. These tips are meant to help you build skills  for a more enjoyable skiing experience.