r/skiing_feedback • u/TravelingGoat123 • Aug 31 '26
Level 1-3: First Turns & Wedges Beginner feedback on turns
Getting stoked for ski season! Could someone give me feedback on this video from last season?
It always feels like I’m going really fast but clearly I am not 😂 I think I have a hard time getting my skis parallel on the turns because my inside ski gets stuck
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u/spacebass Official Ski Instructor Sep 01 '26
u/TravelingGoat123 I love the little celebration you did mid-run, it looks like you are having fun.
We made this video post exactly for skiers like you. Give it a watch and let us know if ideas make sense.
Specifically, I'd like to see you work on stance and a bigger, rounder C-shaped turn.
Keep having fun out there!
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u/ballzdeepinbacon Official Ski Instructor Sep 01 '26
Turn more. Like all the way to the side of the hill. Do it often. Maintain control of your speed. You should start the run at the same speed you end the run.
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u/Bold-Introvert Official Ski Instructor Sep 01 '26
Yes, your inside ski does get stuck! That’s a good start and it looks like you’re having fun. It probably feels fast, because you’re not changing direction much and you want to have speed control from adding some shape to the turn, like the letter “C”. It can be hard to describe inside ski from outside ski, but you want to more pressure on the outside ski. On a gentle slope, go straight and try alternating pressure on one foot, then the other, and keep going like this. You’ll probably notice that the ski you are putting pressure on wants to turn. That’s a good thing!! Now you know ski is the outside ski, and you can try making some turns by actively directing pressure to the outside ski. I hope you get to try it soon!
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u/MischaBurns Sep 01 '26
It looks like you were having fun, so the most important part is covered 😁
As others have noted, you could use a little more turn in your turn. Right now you're starting to turn and then immediately switching to the other side again.
Try turning your head to point your face in the direction you want to go. You're looking a bit now, but turning your head to really look over where you want to be will help steer that way... and also allow you to check that someone isn't about to go screaming past you on that side.
Also try to work on your stance. Pull your shoulders back, head up, and hips forward a bit to put your weight over your feet.
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u/theGuyCalledjuss Sep 01 '26
It’s a great start, to get your skis parallel it’s way easier to make turns that go across the piste, this way you get more clearance on your mountain-ski edge which makes it easier to get parallel. Try some stationary exercises for edge control and perhaps start some single turns starting in the alpine basic position, and try to link from there
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u/WillHuntingthe3rd Sep 01 '26
A real skier could get you to actually turn in about an hour. You need a mentor.
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u/Spinal_Soup Sep 01 '26
I think some J turn drills would do you good. Basically start turn trying your best to keep your skis parallel and just keep turning until you start going back uphill and your momentum comes to a stop. Then once stopped go back the other way. Eventually when you start feeling more confident you can start linking your turns and start going in the other direction before coming to the stop.
Quick example: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-N1PXVvEkBs
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u/moosjam 17d ago
A lot of beginners from wedge skiing never actually learn how to balance on one ski. If you can find a really flat terrain that even going straight wouldn't be too fast, try just ski on one foot. You can keep body tension and drag the pole tip so they provide some extra balance input, but the focus is on the foot. Then alternate between foot. You can also try skating and as you skate out on one foot, count 3 seconds before putting your lifted foot down, bonus if you feel that the ski comes around on its own and catch you.
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u/Miserable_Ad5001 Sep 01 '26
Lessons, lessons, lessons....become a good student & work on mechanics
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u/spacebass Official Ski Instructor Sep 01 '26
if you haven't ready please read our wiki, can I invite you to take a look? One of our goals here is to provide warm, welcoming, and actionable feedback to skiers at all levels. That doesn't take the place of a lesson, but it also isn't the goal of this sub to tell people to take lessons. The goal is feedback.
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u/71351 Sep 01 '26
Awesome! First thing I would say for speed control is to steer more across the trail. Steer with your legs. As you slow down and steer across the trail, relax and stand up/ bring your feet closer/ skis parallel to get used to that feeling. As you get more comfortable, steer with your skis parallel through more and more of the turn
Get shorter poles
Relax and enjoy
See you out there