How important is carving to skiers?

In a recent ski publication article, a writer was explaining how carving was the Nirvana of alpine skiing. While I agree that it’s an important aspect of modern ski technique, carving also came into being because it stood at the confluence of two evolutions: ski geometry and slope grooming.

Back in the 60s, the Dynamic VR7 marked a departure from traditional side-cuts towards “shaped skis”. Well into the 80s, alpine ski races took place on decently prepared but significantly “wavy” and irregular terrain that made carving choppy and imperfect. As trail grading and grooming improved, they created flawless and wide snow ribbons and when shape-skis came to age, they showed their magic power on these new smoothed ski runs.

Do all skiers wish or need to carve, though? I'm not convinced of it. Many are perfectly content with letting their boards skid into each turn. It simply is a no-brainer. In fact, accomplished "carvers" only account for a very small portion of the skiing public.

Besides, carving requires a significant momentum to produce. Its maximum efficiency also promotes higher speed but doesn't allow for slow-motion. Further, it often creates a non-negligible stress on the joints that can prove tiring after a full day on the snow.

If carving is one useful skiing skill, skidded turns are essential in many terrains and conditions like moguls, crud, deep snow, trees and out-of-bound skiing. A skier who doesn’t master skidding will be ill-at-ease on terrains that aren’t perfectly groomed. Skidding is in fact using a boundless form of edge-control while carving is binary; you either carve or you don't.

As a result, I use a variety of skills when I ski, depending on the terrain, the snow and the day: carving, skidding, stem-christies (yes, these too!) They all belong inside my skiing quiver!