Carving and Steeps When it comes to ski performance outcomes for carving or skiing steeps, there are a lot of similarities, especially in regards to the changes in leg length covered in my last two posts. To accomplish both, you need to get to the outside ski in each turn early and us it as the

It’s Like Riding a Bike As discussed in my last post, good skiing requires you to trust your outside ski. Throughout each turn, as the inside leg shortens, the ski attached to it should feel lighter on the snow. At the same time, the outside leg that remains long and strong will feel heavier on

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

Always Be Moving Ever feel like your skis are trying to run away on you? That’s because they are… Every time you point your skis downhill, they’re going to accelerate – so you either move with them or you get left behind. To combat this you have to always be moving. Try extending the leg that will

Use the Whole Ski Whether you rent or own the skis you’re on, you’ve paid good money for them. So use the whole thing! A common mistake we see skiers make is skiing in the “back seat.” By “back seat” we mean when a skier’s body mass is behind their feet while in motion. This can cause

  Skills not hills, take it slow Whether it’s your first time on skis or you’re an experienced skier, don’t rush into exceeding your skill level. There is a huge difference between “surviving” a run and “skiing” it. Don’t push yourself, or let yourself be pushed by peers, to attempt to ski something you’re not ready

  Early Season Conditions, Ski Aware Early season is typically when a resort’s snow pack is the shallowest. Conditions may differ a lot from your last day of skiing the previous season. Transitions from steep to flat and flat to steep may be more apparent than you remember on both groomed and ungroomed trails. Be

  Tune ups – not just for cars Getting in shape for ski season doesn’t end with you. Properly maintained equipment is essential for a great experience out on the slopes. It’s never too soon to make sure your gear is tuned and in safe working condition. Check your boots for excessive heel and toe

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 four and has had a passion for good skiing ever since.