Whether Hansi Hinterseer or Candide Thovex, gliding elegantly down the slopes in deep powder snow is always highly regarded. Cutting a good figure on skis is not rocket science. But all beginnings are difficult, and no master has ever managed without head-first snowpack tests. So that you know what to do on your powder slats, this article provides some technical skiing tips on the subject of freeride technique.
Different snow conditions and types of terrain require a differentiated and flexible skiing technique. While you ski on a hard, flat slope with a strong edge and high load pressure, in deep snow you need to glide smoothly and turn your skis. We assume the ultimate (but all too rarely achieved) powder conditions: one meter of fresh new snow, bright sunshine, cool temperatures and a completely untouched deep snow slope in front of you - and freeride skis under your feet.
The deep snow technique
Unfortunately, there is no magic formula that will guarantee you a fall-free and visually appealing turn down the mountain. However, it is important that you maintain your own skiing style in order to create your own individual skiing style in untouched snow. Here are some helpful tips on how to avoid contact with the snowpack.
In order to achieve optimum lift in deep snow and to prevent your skis from continuously pulling you deeper under the snowpack like an anchor, a central position above the binding makes sense. "Central position" means not too far back, but also not too far forward, but try to position your body's center of gravity roughly above the binding. You will automatically assume this position if you try to put weight on the entire sole of your foot during the turn.
However, it is still true that we tend to ski more forward in steep terrain in order to control the speed and, above all, to be able to control the skis better! Ski and speed control work best with a dosed load on the blades in the turn initiation phase. A narrower ski tip and a slightly more upright position in the upper body are also advantageous in deep snow and unstable terrain to make it easier to turn the skis and displace the snow masses. You should also make sure that both skis (i.e. inner and outer skis) are loaded more or less equally. Nevertheless, it is important to put a little more pressure on the outer ski: about 60% pressure on the outer ski, 40% on the inner ski. This will give you good guidance from the outer ski and stability during the turn and prevent the outer ski from shearing off in a turn.
As we don't feel the immediate snow resistance like on a hard, flat slope, deep snow requires a lot of fingertip or, better still, "toe tip feeling": try to avoid abrupt changes in weight, for example! This can cause unrest in your skiing style, increase the risk of falling and put unnecessary strain on the snow surface. Instead, try to ski smoothly and fluently and take advantage of the rebound effect. The rebound effect manifests itself in a continuous soft and minimal vertical movement (up/down movement) in the knee and ankle joint as well as the constant shifting of the load from front to back, from the ball of the toe to the heel, so to speak. By playing with the position on the ski and the load pressure, we keep pumping the ski out of the snow to the surface and the tip floats up. The ski is easier to turn on than in the snow!
Swing progression
Let's go through the movement again systematically in a swing progression: Start in the fall line to achieve a solid starting speed and the necessary lift on the skis. To initiate the new turn, slowly straighten your knees and shift your weight forwards towards the shovel and onto the balls of your toes to take the weight off your skis. This allows the skis to be turned in the new direction of the turn. In the course of the turn, the body's center of gravity finally moves lower by slightly bending the knees (low movement) and the weight is shifted towards the heel so that the shovels float up. The knees are generally brought forward less, i.e. the lower legs press more against the ski boot shaft than against the ski boot tongue to prevent the ski from digging in. However, you must not make the mistake of sitting too far back, otherwise you will lose control of the ski. An important tip at this point is therefore: pull your toes in during the turn! As a result, the load pressure remains at the back, but you are still bent at the ankle and also have tension in your legs. This way, you won't run the risk of sitting backwards.
When skiing in deep snow, it is important that the entire movement only takes place in the legs (in the ankle, knee and hip joints). If possible, the upper body remains compact at all times and does not twist against the direction of travel. The upper body always points towards the valley and does not rotate with or against the new direction of the turn. The arms are also loosely at the sides in front. This position conveys stability, avoids counterproductive turning movements and also looks good!
The pole insert is a wonderful rhythm, support and balance aid and can initiate the individual turns. With a subtle downward bend of the elbow and wrist, the tip of the pole is placed in the snow at the level of the ski tips. It is important here that no impulse comes from the shoulder joint. This would twist the upper body and result in an unstable skiing position. Especially in really deep snow, which has the technical term "Waist"- or "Nipeldeep", it is necessary to return the poles to the starting position by turning them outwards and upwards above the snow cover. This should also involve as little movement as possible in the shoulder joint.
Excursus: Rockers and fun shapes
The development of ski shapes has been rapid in recent years. Previously largely ignored by ski instructor associations, the new types of skis make it possible to ski very different skiing techniques. The name "Funshapes" has established itself in the scene for good reason. Depending on the ski model and the skier's previous experience, a completely new skiing experience is possible.
Skis with at least partial negative camber are already widespread. These models have the obvious advantage that the ski tips do not want to dig into the shallows of the soft, natural snow as much as before. Instead, they seem to glide along the surface of the snow without any action on the part of the skier. And as we have already learned: Skis turn up much more easily than they do in the snow. The task of "keeping the ski tips up" is therefore transferred from the skier to the ski. One advantage for the skier is that he can distribute his mental and physical resources to other tasks such as terrain, snow conditions and other environmental impressions.
The execution of a turn changes mainly in the reduced vertical movement and the position of the body's center of gravity. The improved starting position means that the ski tips no longer have to be actively pulled up out of the snow, allowing the body's center of gravity to remain further forward. The low and unnatural position of sitting backwards no longer needs to be adopted. The muscles no longer have to tighten the ski tips or hold the upper body forward in the low position.
In other words, freeriding in soft snow is easier and less strenuous thanks to the rocker shapes.
Summary
The key to freeriding and deep snow skiing is to develop a feel and sensitivity for the snow. So try it out! Try skiing with different ski positions (narrow/wide, step-in/parallel, on one/two skis, high/low, etc.), with an extreme forward or backward position, fully twisted in the upper body, etc. Play with your position and the load! Be aware of what happens! Which movements and positions feel good? What doesn't work at all? Develop a large repertoire of movements and become flexible on your skis. This will give you confidence and, above all, ease. Your powder turns will be pure enjoyment if you know what to do and how to react depending on the situation.
And as always: practice makes perfect!
Outlook
In the next article, we'll explain various common mistakes in deep snow, so stay tuned?
A big thank you to www.wesearchpowder.com for the great photos on this topic!