If youve ever felt nervous at the top of a steep slope, this blog is for you! Ex-Olympian, BBC Ski Sunday presenter, and Maison Sport instructor, Graham Bell, shares his top tips for skiing steep slopes. These tips are perfect for intermediate to advanced skiers who want to build their confidence and tackle challenging slopes with ease.
Tip 1 Short Turns Using Rotational Separation
When skiing on steep slopes, you can use rotational separation to help perform short, controlled turns. Rotational separation happens when your feet are pointing in one direction while your upper body is pointing in another. Your shoulders should face down the slope, while your feet pivot underneath you, pointing across the slope. This rotation mainly comes from your hip joint rather than your knees or feet.
By keeping your shoulders facing down the slope, you only need to pivot your skis around your body to turn. This technique allows you to perform short, sharp turns, helping you maintain control over your speed. As the slope becomes steeper, aim your skis more across the hill and shorten your turn radius to stay in control. A stable upper body position will help you maintain balance and control on steep terrain.
How to Practise Rotational Separation
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Drill 1 Braquage
Begin by side-slipping down the slope with your skis flat and your shoulders facing downhill. Then, unweight your skis by making an upward motion and extending your legs. As you do this, pivot your skis underneath you and transfer your weight to the new downhill ski. Try not to move sideways across the hill; instead, keep going straight down. Once youre comfortable with this movement, you can add a pole plant during the upward motion for extra stability.
Drill 2 Short Swings
Next, build on the braquage drill by adding some more sideways movement or a swing across the hill. Start by doing short turns, skidding your skis from edge to edge. Use your pole plant to help initiate each turn as you pivot your skis underneath you. On a gentler slope, your skis should stay fairly flat and not leave the snow. As you move onto steeper slopes, you can speed up your turns and incorporate a rhythmic pole plant along with a small jump as you transition from edge to edge.
Tip 2 Choose a Line
When youre skiing on a steep slope, forward planning is essential. As you approach a steep pitch, ski across the ridge at an angle, giving yourself plenty of time to start your first turn. Look out for obstacles and choose your line accordingly. Stay adaptable to the changing terrain ahead. But dont get too ahead of yourself! Always keep your focus on the present and your next turnotherwise, you might miss obstacles right in front of you!
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Tip 3 Mindset
Remember, fear is all in your mind! Try not to stop at the top of the run for too long and psych yourself out. Have confidence in your skiing and believe in yourself. If you hesitate or lean back, youre more likely to lose control. Self-belief is crucial when skiing steep slopes. With some determination, courage, and the right technique, youll be able to tackle any slope with confidence, no matter how steep!