Wedge turns cover the elements of the pathway that develop turning from the first time. Learn the what, why and how of teaching and strengthening turning. Dive deep into the technical know-how and discover teaching tactics for shallow wedge turns and rounded wedge turns.
Rounded Wedge Turns
What, Why, How
What
A larger, faster and rounder wedge turn is used to control speed on a beginner run. The skier will also begin to feel balance on the outside ski for the first time.
Why
Turn shape will slowly increase until the skier is able to turn to a stop. This provides confidence to ski faster and/or move to steeper terrain.
How
Encourage the student to increase the duration of leg steering, this will develop the rounded turn shape.
VIDEO: Wedge Turns Steering with Josh Duncan-Smith
Technical Know-how
What’s New
The skier will make larger and rounder wedge turns, controlling their speed through turn shape. The skier will also start to feel some forces and balance on the outside ski.
Performance Tips
Skis: Focus on allowing the skis to travel down the fall line for longer. This will increase speed and make it easier to steer the skis for longer across the hill creating a rounder turn
Body: Focus on steering the legs for longer across the hill to create a rounder turn
Turn phases: A round turn shape will be created, more evidence of the phases of the turn will begin to appear
Body: Focus on steering the legs for longer across the hill to create a rounder turn
Turn phases: A round turn shape will be created, more evidence of the phases of the turn will begin to appear
Skills
Situational Understanding
- The skis will maintain a consistent wedge shape throughout the turn
- Speed is controlled by guiding the skis through a steered round turn
Active Stance & Balance
- Slight flexion of the legs is used to help the skier maintain balance through the centre of the skis during the bottom half of the turn
- Slight extension of the legs is used to help the skier maintain balance through the centre of the skis during the top half of the turn
Outside Ski Balance
- Pressure will increase on the outside ski after the fall line in the bottom half of the turn
Edging
- Edging is present due to the shape of the wedge
- The outside ski will increase edge during the second half of the turn
- The inside ski will decrease edge during the second half of the turn
Steering
- The duration of the turning force applied to the skis is increased to turn the skis further across the hill
- Steering the legs for longer will guide the ski through a larger and rounder turn shape
Ski Snow Interaction
- When performing basic round wedge turns the edge angle of the outside ski will increase during the bottom half of the turn, while the edge angle of the inside ski will decrease during the bottom half of the turn. This is then reversed during the top half of the turn
- The steering angle of the skis will increase during basic round wedge turns; however, they will need to remain as opposing angles to maintain the wedge shape
- The platform angle will need to be greater than 90 degrees to allow the skis to slide smoothly on the snow
Teaching Tactics
Terrain
Ideally taught on easy green terrain.
Class Handling
Students are starting to move and conveyor lifts are a great option. Lots of practice time is good. As your students are starting to turn across the hill more, make sure to make them aware of any safety concerns, e.g. other snow users.
Example Activities
- “Follow me!” - set a turn shape that becomes rounder
- Draw on the snow the rounder turn shape and try it
- Turn legs for longer by adding in counting to emphasise longer turning of legs
- Build up the duration of turning over multiple runs
- Emphasise that rounder turns will slow students down
- Show that turning can bring students to a stop
Corrective Teaching
Students struggle to keep turning
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Make sure leg rotation is working well and is understood
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Build up duration or turning gradually, give plenty of practice
Students feels pull to the outside ski
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Students feels the forces making their outside ski have more pressure as the skis turn across the hill and react by trying to make skis even pressure
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Tell student that feeling outside ski pressure is good and to go with it, while still emphasising strong steering
Students’ wedge increasing in size and coming to a stop as turning
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Students are rushing to steer too quickly and as a result they are steering with body and outside leg
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Encourage steering from both legs and more gradually (turn the steering wheel ”legs” slower)
Self Reflection
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“Did I make the turns too round too quickly?”
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“Were the students able to follow in my tracks as I adjusted the turns?”
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“Have all students got the ability to turn their legs?”
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“Was the terrain suitable to allow success?”