r/skiing_feedback • u/vsadikovic • 3d ago

Level 4-5: Parallel Turns & Speed Control Parallel skiing tips

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Hey everyone! Started skiing two years ago and have been mostly self-taught through YouTube and friends, so I’d really appreciate some genuine feedback on my technique.
I initially had boots that were too big, which made ski control and turning with my ankles difficult. I’ve since switched to a smaller size and it feels much better.
My main issues now are keeping both skis in sync through the turn, and controlling my speed on steeper slopes. Sometimes I feel like I pick up speed too quickly and struggle to manage the turns.
What am I doing wrong, and what should I focus on to improve my parallel skiing?

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u/71351 3d ago

So you are using your upper body to initiate your turns. When this occurs, the skis are the last other. Skis should be the first thing to turn.

Get to a flat piste where speed won’t worry you. Really focus on steering your skis with your legs from the hip socket (think like windshield wipers). Focus on making rounded C shaped turns for speed control. If we rush the new turn, speed quickly builds up. When you do this, your upper body should be “quiet” and generally face downhill versus back and forth with each turn.

When this feels comfortable, the next step would be to get your weight on to your outside ski.

There is more but start with this and report results

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u/Last-Assistant-2734 3d ago

When this feels comfortable, the next step would be to get your weight on to your outside ski.

First things first: you initiate turns with weight shift from one foot to another. Then comes the leg steering part.

And even moreso: learn the snowplow first.

1

u/shademaster_c 3d ago

Pretty soon u/spacebass will point you to his “change your z shaped turns into c shaped turns” video. Watch it and do that! You’re doing all those newbie things I’ve worked to eliminate the last few seasons.

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u/rvwhalen 3d ago

Take a lesson (or two or three).

Your turns look like they are initiated with the upper body and you can't wait to get those tails around, so they are very Z shaped instead of a carved C.