Stack, Separate and Press

M. Odermatt/L.M.P. Group/Alamy

Overview

  • Movement 5: Stack your outside leg and core keeping your shoulders level to the snow by separating just below the shoulders, and press your foot against the outside ski.

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

  • The outside leg is bio mechanically strong when the ankle, leg, hips, core and shoulders are stacked on top of each other.

  • John Leffler, the well known U.S.A. race coach, demonstrates how to stack the body and separate just below the shoulders in the FIRST MINUTE from where this video starts.

Video by Deb Armstrong and Ski Strong

How to Separate Below the Shoulders

  1. Level the shoulders to prevent the body leaning away from the outside ski. This action will cause the body to “Separate”.

  2. To feel where to Separate, place your hands against your rib cage just below your shoulders. Lower one elbow then the other and you will feel how the shoulders can tip side to side or Separate.

Image by ARM

Marcel Odermatt of the Swiss Alpine Team stacks his whole body against his outside ski.

M. Odermatt/Image by /L.M.P. Group/Alamy/Graphics by ARM

Mikaela Shiffrin separates below her shoulders and stacks against her outside ski.

Shiffrin/ Image by J. Makovec/Alamy/Graphics by ARM

Press and Resist

  1. When carving a turn an objective is to have all your pressure against the outside ski with no pressure on the inside ski.

  2. The stacked leg presses firmly against the outside ski through the arch of the foot, and by resisting the forces pushing back, causes the ski to bend, carve, and accelerate. Keep your shins flexed forward against the tongues or cuffs of both boots.

  3. It’s essential to avoid pushing aggressively, as this can release the energy from the ski and reduce the duration of the carving action.

  4. The outside knee does not tip inwards as this action breaks the stacking, reduces pressure against the outside ski and increases the risk of knee injury.

Watch this racer stack his core over his outside leg while keeping his shoulders level. in this video.

Video by Shred.Riders

Key Takeaways

  1. Stacking for Alignment: Strength and stability in skiing are maximized when the ankle, leg, hips, core, and shoulders are stacked in alignment. This prevents the knee from tipping inward, reducing the risk of knee injury and ensuring effective pressure on the outside ski.

  2. Separation for Balance: Separating just below the shoulders helps prevent the upper body from leaning away from the outside ski, maintaining balance and control.

  3. Press and Resist: Applying pressure against the outside ski is critical for carving. A stacked outside leg resists pressures pushing back against the foot, causing the ski to bend, carve and accelerate.

Suggested Learning Modules

Go to Ski Technique 6. Shorten the Inside Leg

Return to Ski Technique

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.