The carving “pedal”

A good way to illustrate or explain the foot sensation that should happen when a skier initiates carving, is to imagine a small “pedal” on the inside of each ski boot that is depressed alternatively to initiate a carving position and the ensuing action. 

This should be done on a gentle slope, to begin with, by a very slight depression from the arch of the foot towards the inside of the right ski, then the left and so on. Importantly though, the ski where the “virtual pedal” is actuated should be predominantly weighted as the learning begins. 

As the ski gets banked and its edge begins initiating a carved turn, the outside ski remains weighted. Then it’s the turn of the left ski to do the work and so on... Later on as the skier masters the skill, pressure can be shared with the external part of the uphill ski as well as if an uphill virtual pedal existed there too. 

Future and current carvers, try it and share your impressions on this blog!