Wedge-to-parallel and advancing parallel turns covers the elements of the pathway that develop intermediate skiers on their journey to parallel and beyond. Learn the what, why and how to teach this crucial step in a skier’s progression. Dive deep into the technical know-how and discover teaching tactics for wedge-to-parallel, advancing wedge-to-parallel, parallel skiing, varying parallel turns, and advancing parallel.
Basic Wedge-To-Parallel
What, Why, How
What
A basic wedge-to-parallel turn has elements of both wedge and parallel turns. The turn is started in a wedge and towards the end of the turn the skis become parallel.
Why
The basic wedge-to-parallel turn is the first step between wedge turns and parallel turns. Skiers have the opportunity to ski slightly faster and gain more control on steeper slopes due to the parallel relationship of the skis in the bottom half of the turn.
How
Increase speed, this can be achieved by decreasing the size of the wedge. Then the skier must establish grip and balance on the outside ski and steer the inside ski to parallel.
VIDEO: Wedge Parallel with Campbell Mason
Technical Know-how
What’s New
Skis are becoming parallel at the end of the turn.
Performance Tips
Skis: Focus on increasing pressure and grip on the outside ski through the create phase of the turn, then steer the inside ski at a faster rate than the outside ski to create a parallel relationship by the end of the turn.
Body: Focus on feeling balance on the outside ski at the beginning of the turn, then using faster rotation of the inside leg to create the parallel relationship.
Turn phases: In a basic wedge to parallel turn, working on earlier outside ski balance than in a wedge turn, achieving balance just above the fall line, then steering the inside ski during the bottom half of the turn.
Body: Focus on feeling balance on the outside ski at the beginning of the turn, then using faster rotation of the inside leg to create the parallel relationship.
Turn phases: In a basic wedge to parallel turn, working on earlier outside ski balance than in a wedge turn, achieving balance just above the fall line, then steering the inside ski during the bottom half of the turn.
Skills
Situational Understanding
- Increase the speed of travel allowing for outside ski balance to be achieved before the fall line
- Use green terrain, and progress onto blue terrain as the skill level of the skier increases
- Develop awareness of why it is more comfortable to ski in parallel
- Introduce a smaller wedge size to help increase speed
Active Stance & Balance
- Move the centre of gravity (COG) inside the turn while maintaining a strong centred stance
- Time extension with the creation of the wedge
- Time flexion as a parallel with the skis is formed
Outside Ski Balance
- Higher speeds and greater edge angle will create more force acting on the skier, allowing the skier to balance on the outside ski earlier in the turn
- Feel for the arch of the outside foot once the wedge is created
- Maintain angulation as the legs incline inside the turn, this helps the inside leg steer to parallel
Edging
- The edge angle of the inside ski will decrease as the COG moves inside the turn. Then, as the inside ski steers to parallel, it must also match edge angle with the outside ski
- Ski design will be aiding the skier to follow a smooth round turn shape
- Establish good grip on the outside ski before moving to parallel
Steering
- Steer the outside ski at a faster rate through the beginning of the turn to create a wedge at the start of the turn
- Steer the inside ski at a faster rate during the control phase of the turn to match the skis to parallel
Ski Snow Interaction
- Opposing steering angles are created when the wedge is evident; as parallel is created the steering angles match and increase to help influence the size of the turn
- Opposing edge angles are created when the wedge is evident, as parallel is created the edge angles match and increase to influence the shape of the turn
- The platform angle will reach closer to 90 degrees at the very end of the control phase in a wedge to parallel turn. This creates more grip and a slight groove for the ski to travel along and helps the skier release the outside ski
Teaching Tactics
Terrain
Ideally will be introduced on green terrain but will progress onto blue terrain as the skill level of the skier increases.
Class Handling
When you are using a skiing approach, it is good to keep your students moving. Students can only experience the forces of skiing when moving. Ski with a speed, or flow, that will allow success.
Example Activities
- Show students a wedge-to-parallel. Try it!
- Ski with a smaller wedge - it will help to go parallel
- Ski with a little more speed - it will help to go parallel
- Feel outside ski is heavier earlier in the turn
- If outside ski is heavier, inside ski is lighter and easier to steer to parallel
- Highlight outside ski balance
- Tap outside leg
- Outside pole drag
- Highlight that the inside ski will flatten on the snow
- Highlight rotation
- Show students a faster rate of rotation of inside ski
- Place inside ski on pole handle to feel rotation of inside leg
Corrective Teaching
Student struggles to become parallel
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Make sure your students are confident on the terrain
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Encourage students to ski with rhythm and flow
Student struggles to maintain outside ski balance
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Keep developing lateral movements and angulation
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Stronger outside ski balance will allow student to become parallel
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Ensure students are able to get some grip on outside ski
Student’s inside ski in not releasing or flattening to be steered to parallel
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Check wedge ski isn't too big
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Check steering is originating from the legs
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Upper body rotation can cause the inside ski to catch in the snow and remain on the inside edge
Self Reflection
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“Did I set a speed that allowed for success?”
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“Did I keep my students moving?”
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“Did the students become parallel without too much technical chat?”