Skiing a red run on a 19m turn radius ski, lettuce know how I can improve, cheers

I've gone and paid entirely too much (400$) for a ski movement screening 'exam' near the end of winter 2027. This screening is something I need to pass to further my goal of becoming a ski guide here in Canada. I'd rather not fail and have wasted my money.

I plan to take a lesson at some point this winter to prepare and get personalized feedback for my weak spots, but would be super grateful for advice from this sub. What needs work the most? Where are my bad habits and weaknesses? What should I be working on over the season, and what should I ask an instructor to focus on?

Sorry if the clips aren't the best for seeing technique, unfortunately I only have footage of myself skiing in the backcountry so I don't have footage on groomed terrain.

The standard they expect is described as such:

Free Run: (ungroomed black terrain) -fun dynamic skiing -smooth and in balance while skiing fast -turn shape/size appropriate for terrain -stance adapts to terrain -stable upper body with arm discipline -shoulders should stay level

Short turns: (groomed blue/black) -minimal upper body rotation -stable upper body and arm discipline -consistent timing -fall line skiing -consistent turns shape and size

GS turns: (groomed blue/black) -good carving with ski -initates turns prior to entering fall line -fun, dynamic, fast skiing

Am I close to this standard? And where do I need to focus my learning to meet it?

Hi everyone,

First of all, thx for taking the time to share some advices, I really appreciate this, unfortunately I don’t have any close friends with a good technique who can help me and paying for classes is a bit expensive for me…BUT I’m really considering this if I don’t see improvements this season.

I’m 33 years old and this is my “third” season, first season was 3-5 days, second 5-7 days and third was around 15 days if I remember correct.

No lessons. Lots of videos and some advices from buddies with pretty much the same level.

I felt pretty much confident in last days and I really enjoyed it, I went down 3-4 times in total this year, I like to stop if I don’t feel in control and go easy.
My quads are burning like crazy at the end of the day. I like to say I have a bit of physical condition, I do a bit of everything, hiking, cycling, running.

Things I want to improve:

- posture, I’m waaaay in the back seat
- smoother turns, I’m skidding a lot
- turning in narrow parts of slopes. I went to Cervinia this year and I had a hard time on steep and narrow parts of the slopes, I could not turn my 170cm skis Salomon SMax 10 rentals.
-have fun without burning my quads like crazy after a day on the slopes.

I used to ski all blues and red so no probl there I would say, I can stop in the middle of the slope to help people who fell down and grab poles/ski, (nice feeling btw )

When I stand up and lean in the front I find it hard to turn and it’s not natural, since the back seat, also it makes me automatically pick up speed and I have to turn so of course I jump in the back seat.

I know that the leg facing the downhill should suport all the weight and the inside leg should do pretty much …nothing? I’m trying to apply this and so far it’s working I would say, atleast that’s how I felt. I saw lots of exercises with one leg but I’m a bit worried to do that, I already have a small injury on one of the knees ( not from skiing)

Not sure what else I can add, I have fun but I want to improve, carving is a sweet dream and I’ll probably achieve that only if I’m investing in a lot of lessons and in my physical state.

I have my own equipment now
Atomic Hawks boots, not sure about flex, I can’t see this on them.
HEAD VX 170cm 15radius ( recommend by seller as a good ski for beginners )
If it’s something I missed to add, let me know and I’ll quickly edit, I did went through the wiki page.
Thank you very much!

Hopefully we can meet all on the mountain and have fun without problems.

LE : Here is another video from another angle https://youtube.com/shorts/Vkz-HdeEylk?is=csLjwZwgxoPgF3KV

Hey could I please get some thoughts on my skiing. Currently have volkl mantra m7 184cm 96mm. Was thinking of getting a narrower ski, perhaps a Masters GS. Would it make sense?

I want to become more fluid and smooth on moguls, like professional mogul skiers. Every time I watch them effortlessly ski down a mogul field, I wonder what makes them so good and what I’m missing in my own technique.
I’d really appreciate any feedback, tips, or advice on how I can improve. Thanks in advance!

Hopefully there’s a Freeride coach out there for me. I have trouble landing cliffs above 15ft but I’d like to be able to consistently land 35ft+ cliffs in competitions and flip/spin 25ft+.

I added a ton of videos because I’m looking for micro technique tips. I have 10y race background and I can do tricks but I really struggle with drops.

I taught myself how to ski back in the day, so I naturally tend to ski with a rather upright upper body. I also think there isn’t really one “correct” way to ski – everyone should find a style that feels good and, most importantly, is fun.

That being said, for my next ski trip I’d like to work on getting my upper body lower into the turns and developing a style that feels more dynamic and sporty, while still having a bit of a freestyle vibe to it.

Do you guys have any tips or exercises that could help me work on that?

Thanks!

Hello all! Found this video of me from early last season and would love to hear feedback on technique and suggestions/drills!

My goals for my skiing are to be aesthetic, have good flow/rhythm and to build high edge angle (similar to the likes of Ted Ligety and Tom Gellie - sometimes to the detriment of what ski instructor orgs like CSIA see as 'proper' or 'good' skiing haha)

Started off with some short to medium turns and into shorter turns after passing the camera.

Things I notice:
- For/aft balance seem to be inconsistent for me, an area I need to work on is maintaining consistent pressure in the tongue of the boot (notable in my toilet seat position when passing the camera).
- My upper body, specifically my hands are a little bit more active then I would like, maintaining that triangle and wrist flicks without dropping my hand back at all.
- Notably on my more medium radius turns I feel and look less dynamic (more park and carve) how can I become more dynamic during these turns?
- Some A-framing, especially present when entering back into transition - possible too much pressure on inside foot?
- One observation that may or not be apparent in the video is related to dropping my hip which in turn closes my hip off resulting in a locked position. Is this present? If so, recommendations/drills for addressing this?

Thanks for your help and analysis!

Mostly curious to see if anyone has comments on anything here

Used to teach skiing over 10 years ago now, but get out less than I’d like these days. Park n’ ride? A framing? Give it to me straight…

EDIT: thanks for all of the fun discussion, everyone! I’m looking forward to spending more time on snow this season and dialing in some fundamentals mentioned and hopefully unlock some higher performance.

Thank you for your feedback and suggestions!

Hello friends!

I’ve been away over the past couple of weeks but no skiing sadly - until tonight! There are three clips in this video that I’ve stitched together.

I’m confident with my stork turns now. The previous feedback was not to be so static through the turn and to retract / extend. The first clip shows my attempt at this.

Now, because I’ve been so focused on stork turns, skiing with two legs felt foreign - so I started to ski “normally” again today whilst focusing on everything I’ve learnt practicing my stork turns.

Again, I’m quite happy with a lack of skidding (which was my original issue) and turn shape. However, I would LOVE your feedback as ever.

A kind person suggested I focus on dragging my outside pole next rather than always the inside.

Tonight I also started to traverse and do garland drills to practice using my edges. This is what I really want to focus on next - ideally being able to do railway tracks.

Please can I have your advice on where to start with using my edges? I would be eternally grateful for your advice / any videos you recommend I watch.

My roadmap moving forward:

- start to use edges in these parallel turns (railway tracks)
- complete an introduction to moguls session
- complete an introduction to free ride session

Peace and love, friends.

I am currently a level 1 CSIA instructor, hoping to work towards my level 2 this winter and I have the ambition to get my level 3 the winter after (I am aware I’m very far off achieving this goal, which is why I am now spending more time thinking and preparing while I can’t do any skiing)
I probably need to start working on all my turns but I am will need the most improvement in my short turns and bumps, I don’t have any short turn videos unfortunately

The video above is taken while on a one week trip last season, so I am not at the level I’d like to be skiing at, but I don’t have many videos.
From my own perspective in this clip, I lack a certain flow/have a few moments of staggering while looking for a line. I also tend to initiate my turns by throwing my hips instead of working up and letting the edge build from my ankles, and wanting to complete my turn too fast(this gets worse when a camera is pointed at me).

I’m not sure if I put this in the correct level, since it is technically bumps/ off piste but I wouldn’t call myself advanced

I will continue this below with 3 more videos of other types of turns, I’m not sure if that’s appreciated in this subreddit but I’d rather do that then make 4 seperate posts

Hello everyone.

I'am skiing since 1990 with a break from 2000s to 2025, when this videos were shot.
When watching this video i was truly shocked. I actually look like a bag of potatoes.

Whatever. This post should not focus on my potential future as french fries but instead specifically on my leg/shoe connection - as far as this is even possible.

First of all: I'am wearing Nordic rental shoes with a flex of 85 or 90. Its a indoor hall, "red" slope but pretty short. hard to get on speed. Temperature is approx. -1 degree celsius. So Flex wise the softest possible condition. But not only here, also in other situations at -10c on 85 flex i have the same problem.

My problem: I have a hard time bringing my shin to the front of the shoe. Not because of fear but more because i loose control. Me feet does not feel very safe in the shoe. It feels like the fit of the shoe is too loose but the length is fine (really) the heel however moves which i think is the reason why can can't bring the shin it to the front on the slope.

In the mountains on blue and red slopes i often ski around 50km/h max speed and it feels like carving but honestly, it also felt like carving when my wife made that video.

So now to the Video. In my eyes i lean back way too much which fits to my feeling.
My first wish is: Please tell me your thoughts and second:

What do you think do i need first. Better form or better fit?

Thanks a lot for your help

https://youtube.com/shorts/9H0ieUuJgHc
https://youtube.com/shorts/fxyxeKR-lI4
https://youtube.com/shorts/dcEZKx8a0O0

ps: someone told me i should ask for u/spacebass

Please advise...

Here is vid of me summer 2024, I’ll come back later with 2026 season videos although I don’t think much has changed then.

I mostly struggle off piste with steeper pitches (30+) and can’t pick up rhythm reliably above 35. (Survival is always possible)

Note on the skis, I’m using my slalom racing skis, which have a metal core and are quite heavy and obviously don’t have any flotation. I struggle with non reinforced skis (basically all of my power/backcountry) because they transmit a lot of vibration which upsets my form and balance. So practically for anything other than deep power I use those.

As I landed I didn’t feel anything off but my left ski just came right off, do I need higher dins?

Preparing for my level 3 exam , working on my dynamic short turns, struggling a little with out side ski balance and grip when finishing my turn. Noticing a small A frame during transition because of the outside ski getting away from me.

Not long until my exam so won’t be able to make any major changes but wanting some extra sets of eyes to see if there’s anything I’m missing.

Hi everyone,
Quick intro: I'm 45, six lessons in, and skiing has become an amazing new hobby for me. Posting this video for feedback — please don't hold back. I'd rather hear what I'm doing wrong now than build bad habits I'll have to unlearn later.
Anything that stands out? Stance, weight transfer, edging, pole use — all critique welcome.
Thanks for taking the time.

Looking for any areas where I can improve!

I’m (29F, 165cm) in my third season skiing after a 10+ year break in my teens, and averaging around 5 days a season. I skied with my family as a child and took regular lessons, averaged 8-10 days a season until I was 15 or so.

I ski in New Zealand, this year has been challenging conditions at Whakapapa (rocks, ice and slush). Primarily on ungroomed trails/off-piste.

I’ve had new boots fitted this year and have been focusing on trying to maintain an athletic forward stance. I’m renting skis at the moment and prefer something between 158 and 160cm after being repeatedly placed in 148cm skis..

I do have some mobility constraints, primarily long femurs with poor ankle dorsiflexion, and externally rotated hips (more so on my right).

I notice on turns to my left, my ski seems to kick out and I lose that nice parallel stance.

Good morning friends!

This is my third update. Your feedback has been invaluable and I cannot thank you enough.

Following my last video, the feedback was to mostly get my hips forward on the skis, lift my inside ski sooner, and look ahead.

Well, I attempted to implement this today and here is a video.

What do you think?

I felt controlled and that I was completing the full turn on my outside ski. Last week I was really struggling with my right turns - today they felt great!

Please let me know your thoughts - I’ll keep practicing these, but what should I practice next? I feel as though I have forgotten to ski “normally” because I have been focusing on these drills. I’ve seen javelin drills etc.

I can’t stress how helpful you have all been. Thank you.

P.S. yes I purchased some baggy pants 🤣 I know they probably aren’t helpful to judge form but I wanted to wear them!

I’m the guy in the purple jacket.This is the only clip of me carving I have from last season. What should I improve?

Hi everyone,

Im a new skier - im an 54 years old woman and I started skiing 2-3 years ago in Norway. I now ski green and blue runs (not the steep ones ;-)).

Ive been skiing probably 14 days all in all.

Im quit anxious and I dont like steep hills as I feel like I get too much speed and then I feel like I cant' controle it. Im so afraid to fall and break my bones and need surgery (say catastrophic thoughts omg ;-))- and Im afraid iIwill to run down kids or others.

But I really want to learn and improve!!

My dream is to do red runs with my kids, but I am afraid I will never get there, as I get quit scared when its gets steep and fast. And I plan to go to Livigno this spring - I so want to be able to ski there.

Will I benefit from buying my own beginners/intermediate skis and then have the same pair of skis to get to know instead of renting different skis all the time? Ive looked at Head Absolute Joy and Head Pure Joy. Im 173 cm high.

And how would you range my skiing? Am I VERY bad? And what would you recommend me to work on? Im gratefull for any advice on how to improve.

Many thanks!

The anxious but willing to learn skier