Find Your Rhythm – Pole Touch

It’s not uncommon for people to struggle with linking turns smoothly and efficiently, especially when things get steep or conditions become challenging. Usually this results in an interruption of movement and traversing between turns, making it even harder to begin that next turn. To avoid this you have to find your rhythm. Focus on a pole touch that is directed down the center of the corridor you plan to ski.

To practice this, get out on our beautiful groomers first thing in the morning when lines in the snow are still well defined. Find a consistent pitch on a run you are comfortable with and take note of the overlap line left by our grooming equipment, it is usually nice and straight. Use this line to highlight the center of your corridor and try to touch your pole on that line each time you change from one turn to the next. This will help you Always Be Moving, which makes committing to each new turn easier. Now that you’ve got it, you’re ready to crush those steeper and more challenging conditions!

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

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.