How to Carve in Powder With Skis

Carving in powder requires a different technique than other snow surfaces. Regardless of how well you might ski on groomed snow or ice, skiing powder will likely feel unfamiliar. Beginners and advanced skiers alike can have difficulty skiing powder for the first time. However, once you understand some basic principles, skiing in powder requires less effort than any other surface. Master the carve, and skiing in powder is virtually effortless. Like other soft surface extreme sports: kayaking and surfing for example, carving in powder is a matter of balance.

Things You'll Need

  • Ski equipment
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Instructions

    • 1

      Point your skis straight down hill. Gain enough speed so that your skis hydroplane on the powder. If you attempt to carve before you gain enough speed, you will simply stop. However, carve too sharply after you gain speed, and you wipe out. Look for that happy medium.

    • 2

      Keep your shoulders, hips and eyes pointed down hill. Position your legs a boot width apart. Bend your knees to about 20 degrees to keep the proper balance during a turn. Always keep your hips, shoulders and eyes facing downhill, regardless of what your lower legs and feet are doing.

    • 3

      Gather enough speed that making a turn will not stop you dead in your tracks. It may take three or four seconds to gather enough speed, depending on the slope of the hill. Initiate a turn by dropping your center of gravity -- bending your knees to 30 or 45 degrees -- and slightly rolling your knees toward the sides of your skis.

    • 4

      Straighten your legs for a split second after your skis dip into the first carve. Drop your center of gravity, rolling your knees to the downhill edge of your skis to force your skis to carve in the other direction.

    • 5

      For the next turn, straighten your legs pause, drop your center and roll your knees to the downhill edge of your skis. Repeat to initiate every turn.