Why Johnny Can't Carve: Basic Troubleshooting for Skiers

Many skiers believe that carving skills are the Holy Grail of modern skiing. While this is only partially true, carving is one of the most important ski techniques. It's interesting to note that some novice skiers immediately adapt to carving, while others seem to have a good deal of difficulty. This can be due to a number of factors.

Roadblocks to Carving

Some carving problems are equipment related, while others have to do with muscular imbalances or poor on-slope alignment. Here are some examples.

1. Boot Fit:  Boot fit and alignment are two of the first things you should look at if you have trouble carving your turns. While a beginner's ski boot might be comfortable and flexible, it might not be supportive enough to support the ankles during the carving movement. In contrast, an overly stiff boot can also cause problems if the skier does not have sufficient foot and ankle strength to flex the boot.
2. Skier Stance: Faulty alignment is carving's mortal enemy. If your weight is either too far back or too far forward, you will find it quite difficult to perform carving movements.
3. Lack of Proprioception: Proprioception is defined as the body's awareness of its position in space. Since carving movements initiate in the feet and ankles, proprioception in these areas is paramount to carving success. When you sprain your ankle, if you do not perform post-injury balance exercises, there's a good chance that your foot and ankle proprioception is impaired. In other words, it might be difficult to feel what is actually happening in the lower leg, especially when you are wearing heavy ski boots. Fortunately, these carving drills can improve proprioception and ankle strength. In addition to enhancing your carving skills, they may eventually help you prevent ankle sprains.

Of course, when you look at all of these factors, there's an obvious chicken or egg question. For example, poorly fitting boots can throw off skier stance and alignment, which can in turn impair proprioception. If you are serious about learning to ski, you might want to engage the services of a certified ski instructor and a boot fitter in order to get to the root of the problem. But for now, let's work on some drills.

Off-Slope Carving Drills

For maximum enhancement of proprioception, it's best to perform dryland carving drills in bare feet. Begin by assuming a skier's stance, with your feet separated at about pelvic width apart. Your knees should be flexed, your core muscles should be engaged and your upper body should be upright. Lift your right big toe, and then notice what your feet want to do. 
They want to shift your weight, so that you now have your weight on the right little toe and the left big toe. Let it happen.

Now, simply return your big toe to the floor, and allow your feet to flatten. Then, do the same thing, lifting your left big toe. Establish a fluid rhythm.

Taking it To the Slopes

Begin with your body facing the fall line. Keeping your knees bent, lift your right little toe, and perform the same movement you practiced on dryland. However, this time, you will also open your hip so that your knee can point to the right. Notice how that will turn your skis up the hill. This is a good thing, because it helps you control your speed.

As you flatten your big toe, the ski will flatten. Allow this to happen. Then, lift your left big toe and perform the same sequence.