Parallel Release; Steering Focus

What

The skis should maintain a parallel relationship throughout the whole turn, releasing both skis and then turning both skis simultaneously, while rolling the ankles and knees down the hill.

Why

Skiing parallel is more biomechanically natural and comfortable than skiing in a wedge. Parallel skiing is the goal of many skiers. Once mastered, parallel turns open up an increased variety of turn sizes and terrain for skiers.

How

Active movement of the legs to roll down the hill into the new turn will create a controlled simultaneous release of both skis. This can be followed by controlled steering of both skis at the same time through a round and progressive turn shape.

Skills

Situational Understanding

• Increase the speed of travel, allowing the skis to remain parallel from the very beginning of the turn
• Use blue terrain
• If using wider skis, understand edging will become harder, and steering will become easier

Active Stance & Balance

• Continue to move with the skis along the direction of travel to stay centred as the legs steer inside the turn through the create phase

Outside Ski Balance

• Establish a positive weight shift to the new outside ski before steering and rolling the skis into the new turn

Edging

• Develop lateral movements of the legs down the hill simultaneously
• Exaggerate a roll of the inside knee to start the inclination of the legs inside the new turn

Steering

• Continue to steer both skis through the beginning of the turn
• Match the rotation of the body and the skis until the fall line, then the skis should begin to turn at a faster rate than the body

Ski Snow Interaction

• Both skis will create matching steering angles from the beginning of the turn. These angles will increase until the middle of the control phase where they will be maintained until the end of the turn
• The edge angle of both skis will increase throughout the turn and release simultaneously
• The platform angle will reach 90 degrees at the end of the control phase in a parallel turn. This creates more grip and a slight groove for the ski to travel along as they release and helps the skier continue to maintain a parallel relationship with the skis as they start the turn

Terrain

Ideally will be introduced on comfortable blue terrain.

Class Handling

If you set your students up for success with good terrain and with them skiing at a suitable pace, you will find that they will quickly start to make parallel turns.