Dynamic Short Turns

What

Dynamic short turns utilise ski design and are performed in a corridor between three to four metres (one to two groomer widths).

Why

Performance skiing is the highest level of skiing. Developing dynamic short turns will challenge the skier’s ability to create performance in a narrow corridor, giving them the most exhilarating and satisfying feeling.

How

Increase the rate of all movements while increasing the amount of edge performance achieved in the middle of the turn.

Skills

Situational Understanding

• Increase the speed of travel, allowing performance skiing to take place
• Use steep blue, red or easy black groomed trails
• If using a wider ski, edging will become harder, resulting in inefficient movements to edge the ski
• Introduce more vertical distance down the hill between control phases, allowing time for more ski performance to take place

Active Stance & Balance

• Move the COG forward and in, on a diagonal path to stay centred while moving through the create phase
• Use a well-timed pole plant during the release phase to help stabilise the upper body through transition

Outside Ski Balance

• The rate at which the skier will need to weight shift from foot to foot will increase to maintain a narrower corridor
• Pressure will need to build on the outside ski at a faster rate to match the smaller size of the turn

Edging

• Increase the intensity of lateral movements of the legs throughout the top half of the turn
• Develop inclination of the legs through the control phase of the turn to utilise ski design

Steering

• Match the intensity of leg steering to that of edging during the top half of the turn
• Use leg steering during the create phase of the turn to set up a steering angle for the dynamic short turn

Ski Snow Interaction

• A steering angle will be established and maintained during the top half of the turn
• Increase edge angle throughout the turn, utilising ski design
• The platform angle will reach 90 degrees in the second half of the control phase, establishing grip and a groove for the ski to travel forward in

Terrain

Steeper blue/red groomed terrain or easy black groomed terrain.

Class Handling

Find terrain that students are comfortable on and build them into the more dynamic short turn. Develop good movement patterns and then increase the tempo. It will always be a bit of a balance between maintaining a narrower corridor and gaining more ski performance. As the students develop, allowing them to try and ski in a wider corridor can help training and development. Also encourage students to allow the skis to go further down the hill, a bigger vertical distance between control phases. Be aware of your students’ fitness levels, dynamic short turns can take a lot of energy and you might not want to do them all day!