Speed Control

[SuperMoe]

OK, I'm going friday on my trip and I want to work on various things. My question is...how do you control your speed?

I'm not sure if it's because I'm new to the sport, but sometimes I just feel like I'm flying. When we're following our instructor down the bunny hill, I can easily keep up with him...but it seems like he has more control of his speed. I know you can turn up the hill to slow down, but is there something else you can do to get more control?

Not sure if it's because I do so much XC...I'm used to being on the flats of my skis and I'm not edging enough? I am trying to work on that...and I don't seem to have any problems parallel turning and getting on the edge.

I watch some of these beginners coming down the hill and they're going so slow. Also, I can't really wedge turn (I hate it) because I find it hard on DH skis to wedge (much easier XC) and it seems to me that it's just easier to parallel turn and go. I find that I ski (relatively) aggressively and is this just something that will come with more practice?

My instructor hasn't really said anything much about it...it's more what I feel like when I'm skiing.

 

[Robyn]

The best way to control your speed is to change the radius and frequeny of your turns. More turns will slow you down.

As far as wedging, if you don't need it then don't. You want to get away from it eventually so if you are comfortable with parallel just do that.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Speed control is all about edges and how/when to use them. Okay, you had all the goods about % grades/degrees of slope, etc., but this is MY thing - I'm surprised your instructor hasn't done some good edge drills with you. Next time you take lesson, mention what you just said and ask for tips for better control. I'd get into it here, but there are others better qualified to answer your post, and I'm still exhausted from shoveling/snowblowing this driveway (a mere 145 feet long) 3 times this a.m. You really won't progress as you probably would like if you don't start learning how to use those edges - they are your accelerator AND brake.

 

[volklgirl]

There are 3 ways to control your speed:
1) Use the wedge with lots of inside edge. This is the most tiring method of speed control and the worst set of movements to get rid of later.
2) Use a skidding motion at the end of each turn. This is very effective in most any situation - kind of a gentle hockey stop on every turn. It used to be called a Christy and was the second thing you learned after a wedge. It is a life saving move when stuck in situations over your head....just skid to kill speed, make a quick turn, then skid again. If you haven't learned this, get a lesson on side slips, falling leaves, and hockey stops.
3) Use turn shape. Any time your skis are pointed across and/or up the hill, you'll lose speed. Make sure that each and every turn ends with the tips pointing just slightly up the hill, and use as much of the run as necessary to do this (you paid for the WHOLE hill, so use it!). This is the easiest way to control speed and is essential for speed control when practicing or perfecting carving. Your turns should resemble a set of connected Cs rather than Ss.

As you progress in your skiing, you'll learn to use a combination of each and every one of these moves during a day of skiing.....blending these effectively is the sign of a good skier.

 

[SuperMoe]

"No Control" Eddie Money

OK, (1) isn't an option...I figured out (2) on my 2nd lesson and can skid quite well. (I think it's kind of fun...but I figured it wasn't all in good form)

My instructor keeps telling me I need more patience (which is probably true) We have worked on edge drills, but the guy I'm learning with is much slower than I am (which I don't mind) and I probably could be learning more.

(3) UGH, I hate turning my skis up the hill a little bit because then I have to "Point them down the fall line" to make my next turn!!!

I'm hoping this weekend that I will find some in-between hills where I can get a little bit more steep and can catch my breath on the turns and not feel like I'm flying out of control.

Thanks for the tips...I'll keep working

I guess those perfect carved turns will have to wait a few more weeks

 

[fatoots]

Speed gets to me too. It's all mental though, really, right? Kind of like looking down that headwall

I can make those carved turns, just on the nice green groomers. Give me a bigger fall line and there lies the challenge. But practice makes perfect. My DH keeps nagging me to stay at Southridge, (learning area) and just practice exaggerated turns, reaching to plant, leaning in, etc to develop "muscle memory". It really does help.

 

[atlantiqueen]

If you can swing it, there is a 2-day women's only clinic at Sunday River on Feb 23/24. The price is decent and they are not taking any more than 6 women per group.

Check it out. It may be just what you need.

I'm certainly looking forward to the chance to have 2 solid days of instruction.

 

[volklgirl]

(3) UGH, I hate turning my skis up the hill a little bit because then I have to "Point them down the fall line" to make my next turn!!!
I guess those perfect carved turns will have to wait a few more weeks

Bad attitude to have, baby!

It's something racers actually practice....carving a clean arc all the way through the fall line and back up the hill to a natural stop. The trick is to embrace that series of seconds where your skis are accelerating through the fall line with the knowledge that rolling your knees into the turn and edging the skis will bring them back across and up the hill slowing them before diving into the next turn. It's called "skiing the slow line fast" and is a thrilling and beautiful thing when done correctly.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

See "tackling the steeps" thread, some great info there.

 

[fatoots]

If you can swing it, there is a 2-day women's only clinic at Sunday River on Feb 23/24. The price is decent and they are not taking any more than 6 women per group.

Check it out. It may be just what you need.

I'm certainly looking forward to the chance to have 2 solid days of instruction.

I had planned on taking that, but my Dad might be up with is that weekend. First time, and the kids might be competing.

 

[SuperMoe]

It's called "skiing the slow line fast" and is a thrilling and beautiful thing when done correctly.[/QUOTE]

"Thrilling" is right I swear, I'm carrying so many G's with me through a turn that I could be a model for a plastic surgeon...my face is pulled back so tight

My last run down the bigger hill, I was doing fine (that's a relative term)...but there was a snowboarder, just sitting about 2/3 down...in the middle of the hill. After a few turns, I kind of thought about him...missed my edge, went flying on the flat of my ski down the hill (I think my screaming comment was Oh Sh*t)

I just had too much speed and I couldn't seem to gain control...so I crashed. LOL I hope I looked as good in my crash as I did flying down the hill.:ROTF:

Attitude baby, guess I just gotta keep working. Embrace my inner fall line! The only problem with that is then I sound like I'm on the golf course with my language

 

[sleddog]

I'll echo what Volklgirl said - also keep in mind that there are 2 ways to get a ski on edge. You can pivot quickly (think slam and jam) onto an edged ski and you end up with "Z" shaped turns, or you can progressively roll to the little toe side while managing the pressure and end up with nicely shaped "S" turns. If you can learn to be patient when releasing edges into the new turn, allowing the ski tips to drop into the fall line and then progressively roll while flexing to manage pressure, you'll learn more efficient speed control and be less tired at the end of the day.

 

[Kano]

For what it's worth, SuperMoe, the beginners going slowly down the hill are going MUCH faster than you and anyone else on the hill, or anywhere on earth, even -- in their heads!

And yes, the instructor seems to -- does -- have more control of his/her speed because s/he has more practice. LOTS more practice! They sure do make it all look easy, don't they?

My instructor keeps telling me I need more patience (which is probably true) We have worked on edge drills, but the guy I'm learning with is much slower than I am (which I don't mind) and I probably could be learning more.

The slow guy -- you can learn a lot because of the slow guy. The slow guy is the one who's going to fall down and need to know how to get back up in three feet of powder. (THAT part of my powder/deep crud clinic alone was worth the price of admission. I've made PLENTY of use of that tidbit since then!

(3) UGH, I hate turning my skis up the hill a little bit because then I have to "Point them down the fall line" to make my next turn!!!

If you aren't turning them uphill, you're always pointing them down the fall line! Well, sort of...

Like your teacher says, a little patience is a good thing. Ride the turn until you feel yourself slowing, then GENTLY start the next turn. We're not suggesting an almost stop then sudden yank to down -- that IS spooky!

I'm hoping this weekend that I will find some in-between hills where I can get a little bit more steep and can catch my breath on the turns and not feel like I'm flying out of control.

I thought flying out of control would mean you feel like you're going too fast? I'm pretty sure I go faster on steeper hills, and the way to catch my breath is to STOP. If I'm going to stay in any kind of control on higher, steeper hills, it's important to me to turn lots of big, round turns. You might want to stick to gentler slopes until you find the control you're looking for.

Hmmm, just had another thought.. Whenever I feel the most out of control and like my speed is at mach yikes!, I also find my butt in the back seat.

Kano