Skiing well is all about using your edges effectively, and the key to using your edges lies in the edge switch. The edge switch is the critical link that connects and initiates turns. Therefore, whether you're using carving or traditional straight-skiing techniques, the edge switch is the most essential core skill. Today, we’ll explain in principle the difficulty levels and key points of various edge-switching methods, and we’ll also analyze the inheritance relationship between new and traditional techniques. All skiing enthusiasts are welcome to join the discussion.
1.Snowplow (Penguin) Turn
Everyone knows the snowplow is the easiest because you don’t switch edges. But the snowplow helps you develop the feeling of turning using the inside edge, so it serves as a foundation—beginners must practice it.
2.Half-Snowplow
In the half-snowplow, during a turn, your weight is on the inside edge of the downhill ski, while the uphill ski opens up and switches from the outside edge to the inside edge to complete the turn in a wedge shape. Then the new uphill ski moves toward the new downhill ski and switches from the inside edge to the outside edge. The half-snowplow is the easiest edge-switching method because the edge switch for each ski happens when it’s not bearing weight. The downside is that the turn is made with the skis in a wedge, and the switching process is slow. However, it serves as a transition to parallel skiing, allowing beginners to first experience the feeling of edge switching—it’s a must-practice technique.
3.Traditional Parallel Turn
The traditional parallel turn originates from straight-skiing techniques and is the most commonly used teaching method. In the traditional parallel turn, you initiate the turn by unweighting the downhill ski through a pole plant, shifting your body weight to the uphill ski, then pressing down on the uphill ski to switch it from the outside edge to the inside edge and rotate it to complete the turn. During this process, the downhill ski switches from the inside edge to the outside edge and follows the uphill ski in rotation to stay parallel. The sequence of edge switches in the traditional parallel turn is: uphill ski bears weight – uphill ski switches from outside to inside edge – downhill ski switches from inside to outside edge. Since the downhill ski’s inside edge still provides support and balance during the uphill ski’s edge switch, it’s relatively easy to master. However, the downside is that there is always a period when both skis are simultaneously on their inside edges, forming a wedge. To maintain maximum parallelism, the traditional parallel turn requires significant pole planting and downward pressure to shift as much weight as possible onto the uphill ski and reduce reliance on the downhill ski's support. Additionally, the turning motion involving ski rotation originates from straight-skiing, as straight skis can’t turn on their own. When using carving skis in the traditional style, you can also complete the turn without rotating the skis.
4.Full Parallel Turn (Intermediate Level)
How can you achieve a full parallel turn? It’s simple—just change the edge-switching sequence. The downhill ski switches from the inside edge to the outside edge first. Since no one can have both skis on their outside edges simultaneously, the downhill ski’s outward edge switch automatically causes the uphill ski to switch from the outside edge to the inside edge. The complete method and sequence are: both skis are on edge during a diagonal traverse – release the edges to glide smoothly along the slope – lift the tail of the downhill ski and transfer 100% of your weight to the uphill ski – the downhill ski establishes an outside edge, which automatically guides the uphill ski to establish an inside edge to initiate the turn. This method takes longer for the edge switch and represents an intermediate-level full parallel technique.
5.Full Parallel Turn (Advanced Level)
The method and sequence for the advanced full parallel technique are: both skis are on edge during a diagonal traverse – bend your knees and lift the tail of the downhill ski to release its inside edge – transfer 100% of your weight to the uphill ski’s outside edge – the downhill ski directly switches from the inside edge to the outside edge while automatically guiding the uphill ski to switch from the outside edge to the inside edge – after the uphill ski’s edge switch, there is no rotational movement. Instead, it uses the bending characteristic of the carving ski on edge to naturally complete the turn. By using the advanced full parallel technique combined with carving skills, you can carve out very smooth and continuous arcs on the slope. The skier’s upper body makes minimal up-and-down or side-to-side movements, while the legs swing like a pendulum from side to side, creating fluid and elegant motions. Lito and HH refer to this skiing style as the "Phantom Move."
6.Jump Turn
Once you’ve mastered the full parallel edge switch, the next step is to explore the fastest method of edge switching. As the name suggests, the jump turn involves completing the edge switch and direction change in midair, making it the quickest method. It’s used in challenging terrains such as steep slopes, moguls, and tree runs. The single-leg hop technique is the aerial version of the full parallel technique. First, you hop off the downhill ski, then depending on the situation, you can choose not to leave the snow with the uphill ski (just switch edges), hop on one foot and switch edges without changing the ski’s direction, hop and switch edges while also rotating the ski 90 degrees, or hop and switch edges while rotating the ski 180 degrees. Upon landing, the weight-bearing leg remains the one you hopped with, hence the term “single-leg hop.” It’s worth mentioning that there’s also a practical traditional straight-skiing jump technique where you pivot on the tips of your skis, hop the tails off the snow to switch edges and complete a ski direction change—this is known as the double-leg hop for short turns.