Common Technical Mistakes
Jack Evans - Ski Club Head Coach
Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned skier, we all have areas to improve on the slopes. In this month’s masterclass, we're focusing on some of the most common skiing mistakes and how to fix them. Addressing these habits can improve your form, boost your speed, and increase efficiency—all while helping to prevent injury.
Leaning Too Far Back
The Mistake: Many skiers tend to sit too far back on their skis, which limits control and makes it harder to turn.
The Fix: Focus on keeping your hips aligned over your feet with a slight forward lean with a focus on feeling shin pressure with the front of the boot. Visualize your knees moving over your toes to help stay balanced and in control.
Over-Rotating Your Upper Body
The Mistake: Using your shoulders to turn instead of your legs can make movement feel awkward and adds strain to your joints.
The Fix: Keep your shoulders facing down the slope and think of your lower body as the main driver for turning, while your upper body remains stable with level shoulders.
Poor Pole Planting Technique
The Mistake: Incorrect timing of the pole plant can disrupt rhythm and make it harder to navigate steep slopes.
The Fix: Plant your poles just before starting each turn for better timing. Practice syncing your pole plants with each turn to smooth out your skiing.
Choosing the Wrong Slope at the Wrong Time
The Mistake: Tackling challenging slopes later in the day, when they’re likely to be bumpy and choppy, can make skiing much harder.
The Fix: Tackle tougher slopes in the morning after a couple of warm up runs while they’re still freshly groomed, and save gentler slopes for the afternoon as conditions become rougher.
Looking Down Instead of Ahead
The Mistake: Focusing on your skis or the snow just ahead throws off your balance and reaction time.
The Fix: Keep your eyes directed a few meters down the slope. Think two turns ahead! This will improve balance and help you adjust quickly to changing terrain.
