How to Control Your Speed When Skiing?
Speeding on the slopes is always tempting but can have consequences. Not knowing how to control your own speed is quite risky- for you and others. And yet, it is always possible to improve your skiing skills and especially your speed. Speed control is predominantly made by doing short turns and this is arguably the most difficult part of the exercise. This said, with good tips and training, you’ll be able to achieve the most perfect turns and control your speed quicker than you think.
The key is to try and keep the same speed as you do your turns. It may sound complicated right now, but by consciously practicing it, you’ll soon get a really good grip. By learning to do short turns every 2 to 3 meters as you slide down the slope, you’ll be able to keep the same speed.
Doing short turns is slightly technical but can be learnt quickly too as it is quite a natural “stance" so to speak. Short turns are done by turning the skis to your legs instead of to your hips, which is the most common mistake, made by beginner or even advanced skiers.
The secret is to be able to move your weight evenly to get a really smooth movement. This is probably the hardest bit but again, with practice, you can definitely conquer it. Most people will try this move on the most difficult slopes whilst you should take a couple of hours every day to learn the ropes on a very easy slope.
You also need to keep your body well-balanced so that the weight is spread evenly. To do so, you need to keep moving your poles as they will counteract any imbalance and help you keep your upper body moving.
Also, did you know that by moving your body forward, you instantly increase your speed? The weight is transferred forward and as a result, the pressure will increase the speeding effect. So, if you lean slightly backwards even when sliding down at a quick speed, you’ll automatically reduce and control the speed.
Learning to control your speed when skiing is probably a tricky exercise but it can be achieved quickly provided you do it consciously first. At some point, your body will feel naturally inclined to control the speed but it requires some work on your part first. The “short turns" technique remains the most effective especially when skiing on fast slopes.