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What is carving on skis, and how do you carve?

You have heard a lot about carving but do not yet know what it really is: check out our advice.

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This winter, you are going on a skiing holiday and you want to improve your piste skiing technique. You have heard a lot about carving but do not yet know what it really is. We explain the carving technique, how to position yourself to "carve" well and how to choose the right terrain to start carving. You are about to add a whole new dimension to your skiing!

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What is carving on and how do you carve?

1 What is carving?
2 What gear do you need for carving?
3 How to position yourself to carve on skis?
4 How do you choose the right terrain to start carving?

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What is carving?

To carve in English means to sculpt. Carving is an Anglicism that refers to a skiing technique. This technique consists in anchoring the edges of your skis in the snow, by applying strong pressure on the downhill ski, i.e. the lower one or the outer ski, if we consider that the ski that is more towards the piste is the inner ski. Carving is a turning technique that involves "cutting" through the snow using the edges. Once you've mastered the technique, carving can feel like you are skiing on rails! You will discover an exceptional gliding sensation.

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What gear do you need for carving?

Carving is only possible with the right kind of skis. This skiing technique dates from the arrival of parabolic skis on the pistes! Since they make skiing easier for many beginners, parabolic skis are usually the ones you will find in stores and available for hire. It's very easy to recognise them: they are thinner in the middle of the ski (called "the waist"), where you are going to position your ski boot. The front and rear are wider, and the ski has a camber. This is important because, when weight is applied to the camber of the ski, you give it the energy needed to make it turn, but I've strayed a little into the next chapter.
When it comes to older skis, on the other hand, they are straight and flat and therefore not at all suitable for this technique, unless you enjoy a face plant in the snow!

For this discipline, remember to wax and sharpen your skis.

Ski boots

Choose ski boots with a high flex.

Find out more
Ski poles

Choose ski poles with small, lightweight baskets.

Find out more
A ski helmet

Your safety is paramount. It is important to protect your head when skiing.

Find out more

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How to position yourself to carve on skis?

In order to learn how to carve, you will need to rethink your skiing style. If you are used to skidding in order to turn, you will need some practise.
The general idea is that by applying the correct pressure to your skis at the right time, you will turn naturally.

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Start with your skis flat on the snow

So, when you are skiing, a turn always starts and ends with the skis flat, and your bodyweight distributed evenly on the skis. They slide naturally. The same applies when you are doing skid turns.

Shift your weight to the downhill foot

The outer ski, or downhill foot, is the one on which you will rest your bodyweight to turn. The weight, which is then applied to that ski, returns the energy that allows you to make a turn. The weight is taken off the inside, or uphill, ski so it can lift up slightly. The knee of this leg flexes naturally during the motion.

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The upper body position doesn't change and remains upright

The upper body acts as a pendulum, to maintain balance, but it is the legs that do the work. It gives direction to the rest of the body, so it must remain upright with the shoulders facing down the piste (the pros like to show off by putting their shoulder in the snow, but let's be honest, we're not there yet!)

What about the poles, what are they used for?

This level does not involve planting the poles, which are mainly used for balance.

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With this turn, you've just completed your first attempt at carving!

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Do you have some extra money for skiing? take one or two private lessons!

Although the theory is important, practice is better, and quite honestly, a ski instructor will always be able to give you some invaluable advice. But, naturally, a private lesson is expensive! That said, if you want to learn carving, the support of a professional will help you build the right habits and improve quickly. Think of it as an investment in something that you enjoy.

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How do you choose the right terrain to start carving?

To be able to carve (or sculpt the piste if you prefer) you must have a little speed but not too much or there is a risk that you will accelerate too fast, so keep your speed in check by skidding.
Ideally take a slope that isn't too steep or a piste on which you feel very comfortable. The quality of the snow is also an important factor, and carving should preferably be done on hard, freshly groomed snow (so avoid powder or soft spring snow). And of course, although this may seem obvious, you won't be able to carve on moguls!Rather, the ideal piste for carving will be an easy red or blue piste. But above all, take it easy, take the time to feel the snow under your skis and complete the piste once or twice before attempting to carve. And if you ever find that you are going at a speed that is too fast for you, stop with a skid turn. Finish the descent with your usual skiing technique and look for a more suitable slope that isn't as steep.

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You now know what carving is and how to start carving on the slopes. There are many video tutorials available online, so be sure to watch a few of them before you get started. Once you are on the piste, take the time to breathe and enjoy yourself. After all, you are here to have fun!

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Camille

Skiing enthusiast

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