ANATOMY OF A TURN
Hover over each phase dot to explore what's happening
Fischer Ranger 96 · 180cm · building on the longer ski
Terrain
Goal
Smooth corduroy, focus on clean carving
1
2
3
4
5
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7
8
RIGHT TURN
LEFT TURN
Turn Initiation
Entering the Fall Line
Turn Apex
Exiting the Fall Line
Turn Completion & Transition
Weight Transfer (Next Turn)
Fore-Aft Balance Check
Next Turn Apex
Tailored for Joe — Transitioning from Mindbender 99ti (172cm). Building carving confidence on a longer, more stable platform.
GLOSSARY
◢
Angulation
The angle created between your upper and lower body. Hips move inside the turn while shoulders stay more upright over the outside ski. Creates strong edge angles while maintaining balance.
◉
Apex
The tightest point of the turn where edge angle and pressure are at their maximum. The 'heart of the turn' where the ski is bent into its smallest radius.
⤺
Backseat
When your weight is too far back on the ski (toward the tails). Results in loss of control, skidding, and inability to initiate clean turns. The opposite of being forward and balanced.
⌇
Carving
When the ski's edge cuts a clean arc through the snow without skidding. The ski follows its sidecut radius, leaving two pencil-thin tracks. You should hear a hiss, not a scrape.
⊙
COM (Center of Mass)
Your body's balance point, roughly at hip level. In skiing, your COM must move from inside one turn to inside the next during the crossover for balanced, dynamic turns.
⇄
Crossover
The transition phase where your body crosses over from being inside one turn to being inside the next turn. The moment your weight shifts from one set of edges to the other.
∠
Edge Angle
The angle of the ski's edge relative to the snow. More edge angle = tighter turn radius and more grip. Created by tipping knees and ankles into the turn.
↯
Edge Engagement
The moment when the ski's edge begins to grip and bite into the snow, transitioning from flat to carving. Early engagement is key for speed and efficiency.
↑
Extension
Lengthening your legs and body to maintain contact with the snow or to rise up. In bumps, you extend into the trough. In transitions, you extend to prepare for the next turn.
↓
Fall Line
The path a ball would roll if you dropped it down the slope — the most direct line downhill. Skiers cross through the fall line in each turn.
⟲
Femoral Rotation
Rotation of the thigh bone (femur) in the hip socket to steer the ski. Allows the legs to pivot independently from the upper body. Critical for separation in bumps and steeps.
⎸
Inside Ski
The ski on the inside of the turn (uphill ski during the turn). Carries less weight than the outside ski. Advanced skiers can lift it during clean carves.
⎹
Outside Ski
The ski on the outside of the turn (downhill ski during the turn). Bears most of the weight and pressure. The primary steering and carving tool in each turn.
⚐
Pole Plant
A light touch of the pole to the snow that helps time the turn and trigger the transition. Should be subtle and rhythmic, not a heavy stab.
⤒
Retraction
Pulling your feet and legs up underneath you to absorb terrain (especially in bumps) or to lighten the skis. The opposite of extension.
⊥
Separation
The independence between your upper body (which stays quiet and faces downhill) and your lower body (which turns the skis). Critical for moguls and steeps.
⌢
Shovel
The curved front part of the ski (also called the tip). Pressuring the shovel initiates and drives the turn. Longer skis have more shovel surface area.
⌓
Sidecut
The curved shape of the ski when viewed from above. The deeper the sidecut (more hourglassed), the tighter the natural turn radius when the ski is on edge.
≋
Skidding
When the ski slides sideways across the snow rather than carving. Produces a scraping sound and wide, smeared tracks. Used for speed control but less efficient than carving.
⌟
Tail
The back end of the ski. If you're too far back, you'll feel the tails chattering or washing out. Weight should be centered or slightly forward, not on the tails.
▲
Tip
See Shovel. Can also refer to a piece of advice or coaching cue.
⌄
Trough
In mogul skiing, the valley between bumps where you extend your legs to maintain contact. The opposite of the crest (top) of the bump.
↟
Unweighting
Momentarily reducing pressure on the skis to make them easier to redirect or pivot. Often happens at the top of bumps or during transitions by flexing or retracting legs.