Once the basics of skiing have been mastered, skiers will want to progress to get the most out of their sessions, going faster, more accurately and making sharper turns. Carving is easy once you know how and are well practised; take a read of this short guide to ski carving and you will be slaloming down the slopes in no time.
Starting
To begin with you will want to ensure you are not going to do any serious damage. Starting right will put you, and your skis, on the right track to begin to carve.
Carving is where the skis cut into the snow as you turn so that they do not travel sideways. This can be achieved through a number of techniques that, once you practice, should be easily accomplished.
The ski is slimmer in the middle, with the front and back of each individual ski getting wider towards the top and the edges curving in and out as they go along the ski. This is in order for the ski to bend; it is this bend that enables the skier to carve, as carving uses this curving path.
Position
To begin carving, start by positioning your skis straight down the slope and rolling your knees over so that the edges begin to dig into the snow. The knees need to be rolled over enough, otherwise the edges won't stick into the snow. Once the skis' edges are dug into the snow, lean into the curve and follow through with the bend. As the skis dig into the snow, and the skis begin to travel along their length, the skis will begin to turn you. This is when you will be able to push further and lean into the turn. The faster you travel at this point, the more you should be able to lean and push harder on the skis.
Conditions
The main thing to remember is that you will not always be able to carve perfectly, as the conditions have to be right. While, to an extent, some form of carving will usually be possible, it is generally down to the conditions and equipment for how well you will be able to perform. The snow needs to be soft enough and not too compact, so that the skis' edges can be dug in easily, but it also has to be hard enough to hold the turn. Icy conditions also make the act of carving difficult, as the edges won't easily cut in.
Follow these guidelines and you are sure to be carving down the slopes during your next family ski holiday.
