Often, still, many beginners are taught the wedge (or snow plow) technique to turn during ski instruction. While this is perhaps beneficial to an extremely fearful, brand-new skier, it’s a lesson that does more harm than good and will inhibit you from learning to ski well, faster…
Turning on skis correctly is just like walking, something we all do without thinking. When we walk and turn left, we lead with our left foot and our feet stay parallel to one another. This keeps us balanced and in control and our gate/posture correctly aligned. The wedge artificially forces a skier to pigeon toe his or her feet, forces one’s hips behind their feet, and causes the right leg to lead when turning left. Try leading a left turn with your right foot next time you’re out for a walk – it’s unnatural. So….don’t do it when you ski…
What to do? Learn the Stepping drill. This will have you turning with confidence in no time. Click Beginner Ski Instruction to explore this technique.