Skiing Tip - Avoid Stemming Your Skis When Turning

A major obstacle to better skiing occurs when a skier initiates a turn with a stem (slides the tail of the uphill ski out to get a headstart on making the turn). If you stem your turns you will forever be a terminal intermediate skier. And if you stem your turns in moguls and powder it creates instability and a risk of crossing your ski tips.

To prevent stemming your turns, always begin each turn by stepping to, and balancing with the majority (roughly 70% ) of your weight on, the uphill ski prior to initiating any edging or rotary movement to begin the turn. Why does this prevent a stemmed turn?

The next time you are on your skis, stand and balance with the majority of your weight on your uphill ski. Then try and stem the uphill ski. It is virtually impossible to stem a ski that you are balanced and standing on.

To your success in becoming a better mogul and powder skier.