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Last Updated25 April 2024
Turn descriptions, intentions and phases covers ways that a turn can be described and thought about in order to be more accurate when describing and identifying where and when something happens. Learn the different ways that you can describe turns, from a simple “beginning-middle-end”, to more detailed ways to describe the ideal ski and body performances, in relation to the skier’s goals in each phase of the turn.

Create, Control, Release

Understanding the ideal ski and body performances in each phase of the turn will allow instructors to perform, teach and analyse each phase of the turn accurately. Certain actions need to be performed for a skier to successfully achieve the goals of each phase of the turn in an efficient and effective way.
Create Phase
Ideal ski performance:

  • Begin to build edge angle with both skis creating grip with the snow. (In a wedge and wedge to parallel turn, the skis will have opposing edge angles while in a wedge position.)
  • Adjust the steering angle to turn the skis, creating a direction change. (In a wedge and wedge to parallel turn, the skis will have opposing steering angles while in a wedge position.)
  • Manage the change of pressure from the old outside ski to the centre of the outside ski. (In a wedge turn pressure will build on the outside ski during the second half of the turn. In a wedge to parallel, pressure will build on the outside ski once the wedge has been formed.)

Ideal body performance:

  • Overall – control and direct the path of the COG to move with the skis through the create phase.
  • Active stance and balance – re-centre the COG above the BOS to maintain a centred stance.
  • Outside ski balance – create balance through the centre of the outside ski. (In a wedge turn outside ski balance will be created during the second half of the turn. In a wedge to parallel outside ski balance will be created once the wedge has been formed.)
  • Steering – control rotation of the legs into the turn. This will help realign the legs to the body, releasing separation from the previous turn. (In a wedge turn both legs will need to be rotated internally to create the wedge. In a wedge to parallel the new outside leg is rotated at a faster rate during the top half of the turn, and the inside leg is rotated at a faster rate during the second half of the turn.)
  • Edging – control inclination of the legs inside the turn helps create grip with the snow.
Control Phase
Ideal ski performance:

  • Continue to increase edge angle utilising ski design and creating positive direction change. (In a wedge turn the outside ski will increase edge angle while the inside ski will decrease edge angle or flatten.)
  • Manage the steering angle to maintain a consistent sized turn. (In a wedge turn a consistent wedge size will need to be maintained, in a wedge to parallel turn the steering angles will change to facilitate the creation of a wedge and of parallel.)
  • Direct pressure through the centre of the outside ski.

Ideal body performance:

  • Overall – control and direct the path of the COG inside the path of the skier’s BOS.
  • Outside Ski Balance – manage the flexion and extension of the inside and outside legs to maintain balance through the outside ski, while building a natural amount of angulation.
  • Active stance and balance – continue to move forward with the skis down the fall line to maintain a centred stance.
  • Steering – maintain a stable upper body as the legs incline/and or rotate, creating rotational separation in order to manage the forces acting on the skier.
  • Edging – control the inclination of the legs and body inside the turn to increase edge angle. (In a wedge turn the outside leg will be inclined towards the inside of the turn and the inside leg will be inclined to the outside of the turn to maintain the wedge shape. In a wedge to parallel turn, edging will change drastically to suit the wedge or parallel phases of the turn.)
Release Phase
Ideal ski performance:

  • Release edge angle to flatten the skis.
  • Manage the steering angle to maintain the ski’s direction across the hill. (In a wedge turn opposing steering angles will need to be maintained.)
  • Begin to direct pressure towards the new outside ski. (In a wedge turn pressure is directed towards the outside ski during the second half of the turn.)
  • Manage the release of pressure to maintain ski/snow contact.

Ideal body performance:

  • Overall – control and direct the path and height of the COG across the BOS towards the new turn.
  • Active stance and balance – control muscular engagement to maintain a centred stance.
  • Outside ski balance – manage flexion of the outside leg and extension of the inside leg to initiate a weight shift towards the new outside ski (In a wedge turn outside ski balance will be created during the second half of the turn.)
  • Steering – maintain discipline in the upper body as the legs release laterally and rotationally helping to maintain separation. (In a wedge turn when releasing the legs laterally and rotationally the legs will still need to be internally rotated in order to maintain a wedge.)
  • Edging – control lateral movements of the legs and body to flatten the skis. (In a wedge turn the skis will not completely flatten.)