10 Ski Drills to Improve Edge Control and Carving

If you're a skiing enthusiast who loves the thrill of carving through snow, you've likely wondered how to refine your edge control and achieve buttery-smooth turns. Whether you're a seasoned skier or just starting, improving your technique will deepen your enjoyment and confidence on the slopes. In this guide, we’ll explore 10 transformative ski drills designed to take your skills to the next level. These drills focus on mastering pressure control, edge angles, and dynamic movement - all while infusing fun into your practice.

Why Edge Control and Carving Matter

Edge control and carving lie at the very heart of skiing. Effective edge control allows you to manage how your skis interact with the snow, whether you're cruising down groomed trails or tackling moguls. Carving, meanwhile, enhances speed and flow, helping you make precise turns with an exhilarating sense of control. The drills detailed below are crafted to help you experiment with pressure, balance, and ski movement, providing both technical improvement and playful exploration.

1. The Basic Slope Spin: Building Steer Awareness

The basic slope spin is a foundational drill that teaches you how to manipulate ski rotation using pressure and edges. By shifting your weight between the nose and tail of your skis, you can create controlled spins.

How to Practice:
- Start by side-slipping down a gentle slope.
- Shift your weight forward to make the nose grip the snow, then shift backward to engage the tails.
- Alternate between these movements to steer and rotate your skis.
Pro Tip: Keep your skis close together - this ensures better balance and more effective control over the spin.

2. Slope Spin Play: Beyond Functionality

Once you've mastered the basic slope spin, it's time to take it up a notch with slope spin play. This drill encourages experimentation to explore the full range of motion in your skis.

How to Practice:
- Incorporate playful movements like lifting the ski tails or noses off the snow during your spins.
- Experiment with leaning into the edges and creating small jumps.
Why It Matters: This drill not only improves balance but also builds confidence in manipulating your skis dynamically.

3. Pressure Steering: Controlling Skid and Grip

Pressure steering is a skill-building drill focused on managing the balance between gripping and skidding your skis. It’s especially useful for mastering short-radius turns.

How to Practice:
- Begin with skidded turns, emphasizing forward pressure at the top of the turn and backward pressure at the bottom.
- Gradually tighten your turns, feeling the difference between gripping (when your skis are on edge) and skidding (when they slide).
Advanced Variation: Shift to a narrower turning corridor for more precision, and experiment with moving your feet in a pendulum-like motion beneath your body.

4. Dolphin Turns: Mastering Fluidity

Dolphin turns emphasize exaggerated forward and backward pressure, creating a wave-like motion with your skis. These turns are both visually striking and highly effective.

How to Practice:
- Perform large-radius turns while lifting your skis slightly off the snow between each turn.
- Gradually increase the frequency and tightness of your turns as you gain stability.
Benefits: Dolphin turns improve your ability to handle uneven terrain, including powder and moguls.

5. Funnel Turns: Sharpening Quick Rotations

Funnel turns challenge you to tighten your turns as you descend, requiring faster reaction times and more precise movements.

How to Practice:
- Start with wide, gradual turns at the top of the slope.
- Gradually decrease the turn radius as you descend, ending with tight, quick rotations.
Why It Works: This drill enhances your ability to adapt to changing terrain and sharpens your reflexes.

6. Ridge Riding: Developing Flexion and Extension

Ridge riding takes you off the groomed trails to practice navigating ridges, helping you refine your ability to extend and retract your legs dynamically.

How to Practice:
- Locate gentle ridges along the slope.
- Extend your legs as you descend into the troughs and flex your knees as you crest the ridge.
- Gradually narrow your turns as you gain confidence.
Pro Tip: Focus on keeping your upper body stable to maintain consistent rhythm and flow.

7. Chicken Head Ridge Riding: Stability Through Movement

This variation of ridge riding challenges you to keep your head stable, much like a chicken, while your legs do all the work.

How to Practice:
- Have someone record you or visualize keeping your head level as you extend and retract over ridges.
- Use the video feedback to assess your form.
Why It Matters: This sharpens your ability to absorb terrain changes with your legs while maintaining balance and posture.

8. Support Wheel Carving: Finding High Edge Angles

Support wheel carving helps you push the limits of edge angles by mimicking the feel of leaning far into your skis.

How to Practice:
- Begin on gentle slopes and focus on letting the inside ski slide flat while keeping the outside ski on edge.
- Progress to steeper terrain, maintaining the same controlled movement.
Pro Tip: This drill makes it easier to explore aggressive edge angles that are essential for carving clean arcs.

9. Hand Drag Turns: Daring to Lean In

The hand drag is a thrilling drill that reinforces proper edging and body positioning. It’s also surprisingly fun!

How to Practice:
- On gentle terrain, build speed and tip your skis onto their edges while dragging a hand lightly on the snow.
- Pull your inside leg upward to increase the angle of your skis.
Variation: Try "J-turn" hand drags before progressing to full linked turns.

10. Ridge Riding Play: Combining Skills for Maximum Fun

This creative drill allows you to combine various techniques - pressure play, dolphin turns, and slope spins - on ridges for a playful yet challenging practice session.

How to Practice:
- Incorporate small jumps, spins, and exaggerated pressure shifts as you navigate ridges.
- Alternate between drills and terrains to build versatility.
Why It Matters: This all-in-one drill improves adaptability, creativity, and flow.

Key Takeaways

Experiment with Pressure: Practice moving your weight between the nose and tail of your skis to control skid and grip.
Utilize Playful Movements: Drills like slope spins and dolphin turns add an element of fun while building technical skills.
Focus on Edge Angles: Techniques like support wheel carving and hand drag turns help you achieve cleaner, sharper arcs.
Master Flexion and Extension: Ridge riding refines your ability to absorb terrain changes dynamically.
Combine Techniques: Drills such as ridge riding play challenge you to integrate multiple skills for a more versatile skiing style.
Start Small: Begin on gentle slopes to build confidence before progressing to steeper or more complex terrain.
Use Visual Feedback: Video recording can help you assess your form and track improvements.
Practice Patience: Mastery takes time - focus on one drill at a time and repeat until it feels natural.

Conclusion

Skiing is as much about refining technique as it is about having fun. The drills outlined in this guide are tailored to help you improve your edge control, carving ability, and overall skiing confidence. By incorporating these exercises into your practice, you’ll elevate your skills while keeping the process engaging and enjoyable. So, the next time you hit the slopes, remember: progression starts with deliberate practice and a willingness to explore. Happy skiing!

Source: "Top 10 Ski Drills to Become a Great Skier | How to Ski Better" - Stomp It Tutorials, YouTube, Dec 8, 2024 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-E522xhc4M