S turn vs carving?

[eclaire]

Is an S turn just a shorter version of carving or is there a difference in how you position yourself on the slope or work your edges?

I want to say that fundamentally, in an S turn your body is pointed down the slope and you are using your ankles and hips to initiate the turn. In carving you are pointed across the slope and then you make a turn the same way. So they're basically the same thing but an S turn is shorter and tighter than when you are carving? Isn't making a turn, whether close together or far apart, the same whether it's an S turn or in carving?

 

[geargrrl]

I've never heard the term S turn for skiing, so I am trying to picture what you are asking about. Linked slalom turns? It's still carving.

 

[Jilly]

A turn should be C shaped. Linked together they would create an S shape. The shape of the S would be determined by the size of the turn - long or short.

Short turns you are facing downhill most of the time. Longer turns you might end up facing the edge of the slope (or the trees for some of us). No matter you should be edging so craving. The amount of time you are craving is relative to the length of turn. Also in short turns you need more steering. In long turns you can ride the side cut.

 

[mountainxtc]

Is an S turn just a shorter version of carving or is there a difference in how you position yourself on the slope or work your edges?

I want to say that fundamentally, in an S turn your body is pointed down the slope and you are using your ankles and hips to initiate the turn. In carving you are pointed across the slope and then you make a turn the same way. So they're basically the same thing but an S turn is shorter and tighter than when you are carving? Isn't making a turn, whether close together or far apart, the same whether it's an S turn or in carving?

S turn describes the shape of the turn. It can be any size and it can be carved or not.

In good skiing, all turns should be S turns including carved turns. There is no difference in technique between different sizes of turn. Your movements are the same in a short turn, they just happen more actively because you have to fit all the phases of the turn into a shorter space.