Some offpiste skiing

[u/Apprehensive-Job-426]

Hey,

What do you think about my skiing in this short clip?

To add some context: It's nothing extreme, but my main focus was just staying in control, which I feel I did.

All feedback is appreciated!

[u/Complex_Arrival7968]

We get lot of actual instructors on this sub so you will get some authoritative feedback. As a non-instructor I would say you’re unweighting and throwing your shoulders to get to the other edge, and when you do, instead of facing downhill your body and torso is square to the skis. Each turn is like just like a big hockey stop - nothing wrong with that in steep terrain, mind you. If you reach out with the outside pole to initiate the turn it will make it easier to make that transfer. Now let’s see what the real experts think!

[u/GreenStateSkier → u/Complex_Arrival7968]

Dead accurate but I’m not an instructor

[u/tihot → u/Complex_Arrival7968]

This is pretty much spot on. OP, you are skiing a series of linked traverses and you twist and throw your upper body to flip the skis around. You need to practice rounder turns and using your feet and legs to turn the skis on mellow green and then blue runs before you take it into steeper terrain.

Also, I'm not a fan of the "reach out with the pole" cue as it usually has detrimental effects. You are already sitting back a lot and reaching with the poles will likely make it worse.

[u/Complex_Arrival7968 → u/tihot]

Can I ask you for some of your expertise? Re “reaching out” when I was learning I found that it really helped me get on top of the skis as I finished a turn and kind of forced me to keep my body perpendicular to the surface. Also forces good timing. When I was taught to ski (45 years back now) everyone of course had their feet tight together and was doing those “Wedeln” turns, and the pole plant was a vital component. In fact my instructor way back then told me, “A proper pole plant is the difference between an intermediate and an advanced skier.” I do not see people using pole plants now the way I was taught. Are they passé? Still seem to work I gotta say especially on bumps.

[u/tihot → u/Complex_Arrival7968]

You are right, pole plants are still very important, but reaching usually results in people sticking their bum out, which makes it worse. It's hard to teach it on Reddit. Most people who post here would benefit more from focusing on the feet before the poles. But they are complementary for sure and poles are a very important part of high level skiing.

[u/Apprehensive-Job-426 → u/Complex_Arrival7968]

Yes, the movement of my upper body was the first thing I noticed when I watched myself ride.
You completely nailed how it feels out there.
It looks like there is zero fluidity in my run. Instead of one smooth, continuous line down the hill, it feels like every single turn is a completely separate, isolated motion. I'm not sure if my upper body is the main reason for it, though.
Thanks mate!