Release and Level the Hips

Kristofersen/Image by Pixsell/Alamy

Overview

  • Movement 7: Release pressure against your outside ski once your skis are moving towards the next turn and Level your hips.

  • Advanced skiers and racers sometimes allow their knees to rise to prevent their body from ‘popping up’ between turns.

  • This description is the seventh of eight modules included in the Ski Technique module, describing how elite skiers and racers carve turns.

Release

  • Once your skis are moving towards the next turn, start releasing pressure against the outside ski. Maintain some pressure to prevent the energy in the ski releasing too quickly.

  • Return to the Athletic Stance, ensuring you are in a prime position to start the next turn.

  • Start applying pressure onto the ‘new’ outside ski.

Watch Paul Lorenz explain and demonstrate these movements.

Video by Projected Productions Inc

  • When the outside ski bends and accelerates the energy in the ski may force the body to rise up between turns. As Paul Lorenz explained, it is sometimes best to allow the knees rise to prevent the body moving upwards.

  • The bending or shortening of the outside leg is not an “absorbing or retraction” movement as some pressure on the outside ski during transition will cause the ski to continue accelerating.

  • This action is shown by this picture of Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway.

Henrik Kristofersen/Image by Pixsell/Alamy Graphics by ARM

Watch about a minute of this video for a good demonstration of the knees rising between turns to prevent the body ‘popping up’.

Video by Gilmore Gardens NH

Level the Hips

Learn how keeping your hips and pelvis level during the transition can make it easier to start your next turn.

Key Takeaways

  1. When moving towards the next turn, release pressure from the old outside ski while maintaining some pressure to prevent rapid energy release. Start applying pressure onto the ‘new’ outside ski. Engage your core muscles to return to the Athletic Stance, ensuring you’re ready for the next turn.

  2. Releasing pressure from the outside ski during the transition can lead to the body rising or “popping up.” Advanced racers sometimes allow their knees to rise to prevent upward movement and help return to the Athletic Stance.

Suggested Learning Modules

Go to Ski Technique 8: Pole Plant and Touch

Return to Ski Technique or Learn to Race

Important Message: Skiing and ski racing involve inherent risks. It’s essential to ski responsibly and stay within your skill level and personal comfort limits.