I watched this video a few times before my return to skiing after a 20 year break and I finally got it. I realised what I'd been doing wrong with my balance and stance and properly cracked parallel turns. I've just got back from a weeks skiing and confidently enjoyed fast blues and steep reds and can't wait to go back. Thank you.
Sideslipping is by far and away the most valuable and important skill to master as a learner! It targets fore/aft and sideways balance and also gives you the ability to safely navigate difficult terrain.
No one has ever mentioned this skill. I wish I could find a good instructor instead of just “follow me” types. There’s a lot physics and technique happening with skiing that needs be explained.
Good video, thanks. I'm a beginner and have gone skiing frequently this season but felt stuck because I kept defaulting to the show plow when I wanted to slow down or stop, especially on steeper terrain. I took a lesson where I learned about side slipping (as shown) and turning both skis at the same time (by turning both ankles, as shown). I met someone on the lift who advised keeping my feet together when turning which made a huge difference. The result was that I was finally able to use parallel skiing to control my speed. After learning all this new stuff, I got the idea of challenging myself to only use parallel turns to control my speed during the whole run. Worked out great and I finally feel like I'm progressing again.
As many of the previous comments have mentioned, this is one of the most concise explanations of how to ski parallel. I’ll definitely be referring to it every time I ski. Thank you!!
Just went skiing for the first time a few days ago. It took me several runs but I was able to teach myself the parallel turn. The thing that help me keep my skis parallel was making sure to bend my inside knee. I still need to work on controlling me speed while doing, but after watching this video I don't think I was on the edges of the skis while turning. Great video.
BEST SKI INSTRUCTOR ON THE PLANET. Ps your 'Open Parallel' turns are the best in the world...I do so want to ski like you. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
I'm going to Les 2 Alpes on 6 January, more apprehensive then excited, as I've not tried skiing for 35 years. I'll try to remember your tips when I'm on the green runs there.
Good luck and have fun! Try and do a warm up before skiing and get the blood flowing in your legs. It's so often overlooked in recreational skiing. This video on safety may be useful: ua-cam.com/video/u8oMmncOcEs/v-deo.html and also there's load more to help you prepare on on www.alpinetutorials.com/intermediate-skiers. Enjoy, George.
@@Avoriazskischool FYI & FWIW: Update: Despite all the prep. My holiday or 'Plan A' started off badly, and then went down hill from there. Day 1 and arrival at the hotel a third of a mile from the ski school meeting point, lots of icy patches and I nearly fell walking in ski boots a few times and the sidewalk was granite blocks, and at my age -67 - I was scared I might break bones IF I fell, so I was shattered before I got to the ski school meeting place. Day 1 skiing went sort of ok. On the second day a combination of mist, and flat white light, and icy patches on a blue slope and me being sold the wrong types of boots for a beginner prior to the holiday, culminated in me loosing control through the runs steepness and then falling, and, falling twice and on the second fall the skis detached and I sort of twisting my left leg knee joint, in that in the evening I couldn't put much weight on it, so spent the next 4 days more or less in my room ticking off the time till I could go home, while using Deep Heat cream and Ibopurifin. Note: By the time the lesson finished at 12 noon I'd had enough. Plus waking back to my hotel in the boots caused blisters all round the bottom of both legs. Fast forward to today and 2024, and 'Plan B', I've ditched to boots -Nordica GP 110 22/23 - and sent them for recycling and took the financial hit, have now got some Salomon S/pro Alpha 100, and they are like night and day for comfort. Since 29 Feb I've been taking ski lessons at 'Chill Factore' snow dome, and have gone through level 1-5 and just need to get used to parallel to be signed off level 6. Finished level 6 6 weeks ago, and have done 6 weeks practice and can now snow plough turn ski down the main slope - 15 degree 180 meters long - in control, and am getting the hang of doing parallel at the bottom 10 degree bit. Planning to resit level 6 lessons in July - August. I am quite happy with the *sensation* of skiing, and am starting to enjoy it when I am doing it right. Have two holidays planned for next season, 1 in Jan at Passo Tonale, with lessons, and in March Les Arc 2000, again with lessons, and I'll have my own ski's by then, as I've graduated from CF 146cm to 150cm and am now using 160cm beginner skis. 🤞 Plan B, and being more skiing prepared turns out more favourably then Plan A was. My goal is by next leap year day to be comfortable on at least on blue runs. Off to CF tomorrow for another 2 hours practice. Hope skiing is worth all my time money and effort. At least I now know what a European ski resort is like, so I'll be better prepared next season.
@@JB91710 Skiing is akin to walking in that you do put weight on one ski at a time. Yes, you do balance on the weighted ski. Weighting the outside or downhill ski is paramount be it in a turn or traverse. Once again you’re wrong JB.
This is a great video for beginners, I like it very much. But there is one point I do not agree with you. In my opinion, it is essential to be aware of the fact, that when you extend your knees, you move your body not only upwards in order to unload the skis after this extension, but also forwards in the direction of the ski tips and this is the most important part of the game. You have to create a body projection by your knee extension in a direction between the ski tips and the fall-line in all well made parallel turns at least a little, before you let your skis follow the body into their own turns. Also when you flex your knees, this moves your body backwards over your skis. So you cannot really balance over the middle points of your skis, you must move your body forwards and backwards over your skis. Also you have to move your body to the sides of your skis of course and this is the edging of the skis.
Hi thank you so much for make the 2 simple golden rule! Really helpful, im beginner been 3 week experience started to getting my parallel turn smoother with both skis steering. I rencently decided to invest a pair of skis as i see this make sense economically, however i went with website recommendations bought skis 10 cm shorter than my high, seem that its normally 15cm shorter, im 173, 70kg do you think i should return this Rossignol react 6? thank you!
Thanks Alex, glad these videos have been helpful - a Rossignol react 6 that is 10cm shorter than you sounds like a decent option. Going any shorter than that would limit their longevity as you progress. Basically shorter skis are a little bit easier to begin with, but they offer less stability as when you improve and speed up.
First time ever skiing, second day already doing the parallel run , but found super fun to do and easier than it looks ! Wondering if my experience with skating has helped to catch the skills very quick !?
It feels like I go so much faster when leaning forward. Is there a tip/trick to slow down into the parallel turn or is the point to speed up naturally?
@@jackpatschull6048 control your speed with turn shape. Think about a clockface. Keep turning to 4pm to 5pm to 6pm and even to 7pm if you like. This is how you control speed whilst leaning forward
But the point is how to control two skis simultaneously and what kind of exercises could help it, no matter the exercises are on the piste or in the gym, I would like to spend my time on it, but I just have no idea how to conquer the "simultaneous"
I’m enjoying your videos. How about one on how to negotiate lumpy narrow portions of the piste. Just returned from Avoriaz and I always struggle with the narrow bit at the top of Abricotine for example. I think I have good basic technique but it all falls apart on these sections.
Early weight transfer (secret daddy)+ simultaneous edge release (happiest place)= simultaneous rotary movement (parallel turn initiation). In super slow motion with color commentary chant this mantra with each turn. No one ever does this slow enough.
Whether the shoulders follow your skis or not depends on what type of turn the skier is doing. There is no right or wrong! Please watch our other video titled ‘how to rip on skis - the key to quick turns’ for a further explanation about this. Thanks for watching!
I watched this video a few times before my return to skiing after a 20 year break and I finally got it. I realised what I'd been doing wrong with my balance and stance and properly cracked parallel turns. I've just got back from a weeks skiing and confidently enjoyed fast blues and steep reds and can't wait to go back. Thank you.
Sorry I missed this comment last season - so glad the video helped you and congrats on cracking your parallel turns! Enjoy
Sideslipping is by far and away the most valuable and important skill to master as a learner! It targets fore/aft and sideways balance and also gives you the ability to safely navigate difficult terrain.
@@JB91710 thats what I meant by sideways balance. Sideslipping makes you learn to balance on the outside ski 😁
No one has ever mentioned this skill. I wish I could find a good instructor instead of just “follow me” types. There’s a lot physics and technique happening with skiing that needs be explained.
This guy is good to listen to if you are struggling when you are skiing
Good video, thanks. I'm a beginner and have gone skiing frequently this season but felt stuck because I kept defaulting to the show plow when I wanted to slow down or stop, especially on steeper terrain. I took a lesson where I learned about side slipping (as shown) and turning both skis at the same time (by turning both ankles, as shown). I met someone on the lift who advised keeping my feet together when turning which made a huge difference. The result was that I was finally able to use parallel skiing to control my speed. After learning all this new stuff, I got the idea of challenging myself to only use parallel turns to control my speed during the whole run. Worked out great and I finally feel like I'm progressing again.
Check out Lito Tejada-Flores, "Breakthrough on Skis". It's available on UA-cam.
As many of the previous comments have mentioned, this is one of the most concise explanations of how to ski parallel. I’ll definitely be referring to it every time I ski. Thank you!!
Thanks for the comment, I hope the video is useful to you. George
Best video I’ve seen. Thank you for the tips 😊
This is the best lesson I’ve seen for parallel skiing! Covers all the important points to get the basics right :)
This is an excellent video about learning the basics of parallel skiing...and I'm a ski instructor. Well done.
Thanks a lot! much appreciated
Finally a tutorial that touches on all the main points (most carving tutorials never mention balancing on the downhill ski). Thank you!
This is a complete and efficient summary - bravo! I'll remember it when I teach advanced beginners.
Just went skiing for the first time a few days ago. It took me several runs but I was able to teach myself the parallel turn. The thing that help me keep my skis parallel was making sure to bend my inside knee. I still need to work on controlling me speed while doing, but after watching this video I don't think I was on the edges of the skis while turning. Great video.
Outstanding video accompaniment to the points outlined. Top notch video.
Love the big toe/little toe, my grandfather taught me that too.
BEST SKI INSTRUCTOR ON THE PLANET. Ps your 'Open Parallel' turns are the best in the world...I do so want to ski like you. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
Really helpful! I’m going out to put into practice today!
Best video I have seen!! Thank you for this.
I'm going to Les 2 Alpes on 6 January, more apprehensive then excited, as I've not tried skiing for 35 years. I'll try to remember your tips when I'm on the green runs there.
Good luck and have fun! Try and do a warm up before skiing and get the blood flowing in your legs. It's so often overlooked in recreational skiing. This video on safety may be useful: ua-cam.com/video/u8oMmncOcEs/v-deo.html and also there's load more to help you prepare on on www.alpinetutorials.com/intermediate-skiers. Enjoy, George.
@@Avoriazskischool FYI & FWIW: Update: Despite all the prep. My holiday or 'Plan A' started off badly, and then went down hill from there. Day 1 and arrival at the hotel a third of a mile from the ski school meeting point, lots of icy patches and I nearly fell walking in ski boots a few times and the sidewalk was granite blocks, and at my age -67 - I was scared I might break bones IF I fell, so I was shattered before I got to the ski school meeting place. Day 1 skiing went sort of ok.
On the second day a combination of mist, and flat white light, and icy patches on a blue slope and me being sold the wrong types of boots for a beginner prior to the holiday, culminated in me loosing control through the runs steepness and then falling, and, falling twice and on the second fall the skis detached and I sort of twisting my left leg knee joint, in that in the evening I couldn't put much weight on it, so spent the next 4 days more or less in my room ticking off the time till I could go home, while using Deep Heat cream and Ibopurifin.
Note: By the time the lesson finished at 12 noon I'd had enough.
Plus waking back to my hotel in the boots caused blisters all round the bottom of both legs.
Fast forward to today and 2024, and 'Plan B', I've ditched to boots -Nordica GP 110 22/23 - and sent them for recycling and took the financial hit, have now got some Salomon S/pro Alpha 100, and they are like night and day for comfort.
Since 29 Feb I've been taking ski lessons at 'Chill Factore' snow dome, and have gone through level 1-5 and just need to get used to parallel to be signed off level 6. Finished level 6 6 weeks ago, and have done 6 weeks practice and can now snow plough turn ski down the main slope - 15 degree 180 meters long - in control, and am getting the hang of doing parallel at the bottom 10 degree bit.
Planning to resit level 6 lessons in July - August.
I am quite happy with the *sensation* of skiing, and am starting to enjoy it when I am doing it right.
Have two holidays planned for next season, 1 in Jan at Passo Tonale, with lessons, and in March Les Arc 2000, again with lessons, and I'll have my own ski's by then, as I've graduated from CF 146cm to 150cm and am now using 160cm beginner skis.
🤞 Plan B, and being more skiing prepared turns out more favourably then Plan A was. My goal is by next leap year day to be comfortable on at least on blue runs. Off to CF tomorrow for another 2 hours practice. Hope skiing is worth all my time money and effort.
At least I now know what a European ski resort is like, so I'll be better prepared next season.
Thank you- can't wait to practice this week when I hit the slopes. Maybe this year I stop pizza parallel skiing ;)
good luck, you've got this
체계있는 정리 간결한 설명 대단히 도움이 됬습니다.
감사합니다.
WOW. You are answering all the questions i had. I hope you were my trainer :(
Great Vid !!
Skiers are best advised to keep their shins in contact with the front of their boots . . .
Thanks for sharing . . .
Loved these pointers! Clear and concise! Thank you so much!
Any tips on bringing my legs closer together? I'm definitely "parallel turning", but my legs are much further apart.
Keep your weight on the outside ski. That’s the biggest thing.
@@JB91710 Skiing is akin to walking in that you do put weight on one ski at a time. Yes, you do balance on the weighted ski. Weighting the outside or downhill ski is paramount be it in a turn or traverse. Once again you’re wrong JB.
@@JB91710 I tried this but they did not allow bikes in the lift. So now I am stuck.
This is a great video for beginners, I like it very much.
But there is one point I do not agree with you. In my opinion, it is essential to be aware of the fact, that when you extend your knees, you move your body not only upwards in order to unload the skis after this extension, but also forwards in the direction of the ski tips and this is the most important part of the game. You have to create a body projection by your knee extension in a direction between the ski tips and the fall-line in all well made parallel turns at least a little, before you let your skis follow the body into their own turns. Also when you flex your knees, this moves your body backwards over your skis. So you cannot really balance over the middle points of your skis, you must move your body forwards and backwards over your skis. Also you have to move your body to the sides of your skis of course and this is the edging of the skis.
Great point - that would make a great extra tip to feature in a future video amendment. Thanks
great video, thanks
Hi thank you so much for make the 2 simple golden rule! Really helpful, im beginner been 3 week experience started to getting my parallel turn smoother with both skis steering. I rencently decided to invest a pair of skis as i see this make sense economically, however i went with website recommendations bought skis 10 cm shorter than my high, seem that its normally 15cm shorter, im 173, 70kg do you think i should return this Rossignol react 6? thank you!
Thanks Alex, glad these videos have been helpful - a Rossignol react 6 that is 10cm shorter than you sounds like a decent option. Going any shorter than that would limit their longevity as you progress. Basically shorter skis are a little bit easier to begin with, but they offer less stability as when you improve and speed up.
Excellent , tout est dit…
Yeah totally messed this up today twisted my skis and faceplanted hard as hell hahahahah
I have seen that before, somewhere in the sixties.
First time ever skiing, second day already doing the parallel run , but found super fun to do and easier than it looks ! Wondering if my experience with skating has helped to catch the skills very quick !?
Sweet! ⛷️
It feels like I go so much faster when leaning forward. Is there a tip/trick to slow down into the parallel turn or is the point to speed up naturally?
@@jackpatschull6048 control your speed with turn shape. Think about a clockface. Keep turning to 4pm to 5pm to 6pm and even to 7pm if you like. This is how you control speed whilst leaning forward
But the point is how to control two skis simultaneously and what kind of exercises could help it, no matter the exercises are on the piste or in the gym, I would like to spend my time on it, but I just have no idea how to conquer the "simultaneous"
I’m enjoying your videos. How about one on how to negotiate lumpy narrow portions of the piste. Just returned from Avoriaz and I always struggle with the narrow bit at the top of Abricotine for example. I think I have good basic technique but it all falls apart on these sections.
scroll to 1:30 to get to 4 important points
So many times just opened the top, or did a little snowplow, so it isnt paralell! But there are some who do not see. Just see in slow motion .
Where did you get your education?
Early weight transfer (secret daddy)+ simultaneous edge release (happiest place)= simultaneous rotary movement (parallel turn initiation). In super slow motion with color commentary chant this mantra with each turn. No one ever does this slow enough.
parallel is the difference between enjoying your full day of skiing or having to quit before noon cause your legs are burned up from snowplowing :)
What to do in Maine on a snowy Sunday afternoon... ua-cam.com/video/Sy6xOmBrZTA/v-deo.html
Your shoulders follow yours ski,that is wrong position for your upper body!!!😢
Whether the shoulders follow your skis or not depends on what type of turn the skier is doing. There is no right or wrong! Please watch our other video titled ‘how to rip on skis - the key to quick turns’ for a further explanation about this. Thanks for watching!
Sorry to be petty, but the guys who are demoing should NOT be wearing any back packs...
Why?