6 Key Skiing Drills for CARVING, Part 1

[@piotrfic9746]

This is so a great video, thanks a lot! This and last season I worked on increasing edge angles and it seems that I found too many tips (eg. toppling, lowering hip, flex/extend...) that took my attention from the basics and trusting my feelings. As result, I realized that I ski worse, over flexed, leaning with my hips and upper body on the inside leg... I'm looking forward to my end-season ski trip to have more time to practise and return to solid foundations. Servus!

[@KlausMair]

Thank you Pitor! 🙂Please keep me posted on how it went! Klaus

[@piotrfic9746]

​@@KlausMair Drills and tips did excellent job! I rebuild my confidence and progressed without rushing too much. Very happy in the end 😃 Best regards!

[@KlausMair]

Nice 😊💪

[@Michaeljhrobinson1]

Level 2 CSIA instructor here. This is the best carving video on the internet. It's the one I tell my students to watch before the lesson I teach them to carve.

[@KlausMair]

Thank you Michael! I really appreciate it! I think you would like the full version of Coaching Taka as well. Send me a message! [e-mail]

[@gogglebro9421]

Kraus, I appreciate how you bundle the skills, drills, and then the movement analysis based upon basic ski fundamentals in such a clear and concise fashion. Best for me was the analysis of the visual cues of skiers having too much pressure on the inside, instead of the outside, ski and how it impacts turn shape.

[@KlausMair]

Thank you! :) There are more real skier analysis clips in the member area sofaski.com/member-area/ and in this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLApfohvjaljYsIkrfI69pU61XNut-VsWk

[@vincenzorossi6886]

Yes, the basics give me the confidence to gradually perform the drills to achieve my goals. Once again Klaus, you lead by example and instruct clearly to all levels.

[@KlausMair]

Thank you Vincenzo! Have a great winter! 😊❄

[@MrDHCuthill]

Klaus. This is really good. Especially "patience at the top of the turn", and "lifting the inside ski" drill. Plus, you dismissed the current fashion by some instructors for "toppling", which is nothing more than teaching people to fall inside.

[@KlausMair]

Thank you. There is a place for those things, but I tried to show that things need to be built in a certain order, otherwise we are teaching a short cut to carving that only works on the flats.

[@cammckechnie8820]

Fantastic Klaus….great skiing, great info and great drills, will set me up well for some skiing in Feb/March 2022 👍🙏

[@KlausMair]

Thanks Cam! 😊

[@markgent8540]

Great Video Klaus, reinforces the basics and fundamentals of your Sofa classes. Thanks for solving my Disco arms turn initiation. Pretty sure I still mentally check off Quiet, patient, finish on every turn... Face the Danger also a favourite! Would love to see another video with some ghosting/shadowing which I found really helpful in comparing body positioning between a 10 day a year skier and 200 days a year instructor (thanks Andy) and helps temper expectations too.

[@KlausMair]

Hi Mark, great to hear from you! :) Thank you for the feedback and the suggestion! I might dig out some of the old shadow runs. Good times! :)

[@philipcarson6768]

Thanks for this tutorial!! Perfect description of how to ensure your turns are calm and clean. I began to feel this patience last week in val d when I realised a bit of fear caused me to rush the start. Once I implemented your suggestions and let the ski engage and wait for it to do its work it’s incredible how much more secure you feel all thru the turn. Fantastic.

[@KlausMair]

Thank you for your feedback! Great observation of something that you can see quite frequently! Happy the video was helpful! :)

[@paulwhetstone0473]

Thanks for the very clear explanation of making cleaner medium radius carving turns on steep and less steep fall lines by feeling the the outside edge.

[@KlausMair]

Thank you for your commen! ☺

[@colleenhull]

This was awesome! Thank you so much for explaining so clearly.

[@KlausMair]

Thank you! 😊 I am happy you found it helpful!

[@kikocan4419]

This is great video which clears out lots of things, you explained everything very well and in a way that each skier from different levels can easily understand. Thank you Klaus

[@KlausMair]

Thank you! 👊

[@robbjornson6365]

Super video - breaking the turn down into clear phases and explaining how to get things set up correctly. Also love that you are pointing out how to correct common mistakes!! Thank you!!

[@Skur6082]

Awesome! Can’t wait to take these exercises to the next slope runs!

[@KlausMair]

Would be great to hear how it went! Have fun skiing! 😁

[@dwishere2677]

Best explanation on the motivation of the 'lift inside ski' drill I've seen!

[@liujw0able]

Great tutorial. At 5:30 you mentioned to lean forward from a bit backward. That took me so long to realized. Can't wait to see your part 2 of this.

[@KlausMair]

At the end of the turn you will naturally end up a bit more over your heels. You won't need to focus on this just allow it to happen a bit and make sure you move enough for the next turn.

[@andyliu1484]

Hi nice video. Where is the part 2 ? I could not find it in your channel. Thanks

[@KlausMair]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m163cn6Cdr2fo7ssi=6XReCaaONVyC1C7-

[@4plum]

Did you pay the guy to show up at 8:50 in to the video when you were talking about rushed turns. The exact timing was impeccable :-) Love your videos, subscribed to your website, and bought your 2 DVDs. Please show more videos of people doing it wrongly so we can better recognize our faults. The few i.pses you had were great. Also some slow motion would help... subtle things are happening very fast.

[@KlausMair]

No that was a coincidence. :D Thank you for your feedback and input! I have some ideas. :) Have a great winter! Klaus Here are some more analysis clips: kzbin.info/aero/PLApfohvjaljYsIkrfI69pU61XNut-VsWk and here in the member area sofaski.com/member-area/ski-analysis-corner/ ...just in case you have not found them yet. second link will only work if logged in

[@justinrfogarty780]

What I really like about this is that too many people try and power the top of the turn by committing the hip too early as you said. The hip gets reversed .This limits the range of movement .This results in a static position that works on easy groomers but not on steeper terrain. With this hip dumping technique when the the slope starts to get steep the skier has to default to the inside ski. The feeling they get is a chattering outside ski and the turn shape is not round but is cut off. Z turns. There is no flow from turn to turn. So the idea of being patient is super because the edges engage early by using the feet to engage the edge and waiting patiently and then use the movement of the hips forward over the the base to first establish the correct balance. Then you have a chance to play with progressive edge angles by rolling the stacked and balance hips to the inside through turn the apex. What I like is your use of picking up the inside ski tail. This shortens the inside leg. This move causes the skier to have better balance over the outside ski and because the leg is longer allows the skier to move inside at the apex because the shortened leg has created the space to move inside. The leg getting longer is a cause of good balance not trying to artificially create it too early by the hip dumping approach. One last point is that as you move that inside ski tail up and over you also create ANKLE TENSION. By showing the hips moving forward and over the feet. This is super because this keeps you in balance at the beginning of the turn and the balance and ankle tension allows the ski tips to bight early. In the video of your amateur, someone dumping the hip too early , this early hip dumping puts them on their heels at the beginning of the turn and thus they cannot establish proper balance at the Initiation to make the progressive patient edge angles you show. I also want to thank you for your comment on diffusing the idea of toppling which is being promoted by some of our friends in the Southern Hemisphere. As you said this does not work on steep slopes and only results on falling to the inside ski. It results in moving the mass away from the outside ski which is the very ski that we are trying to balance on. Thank you so much for all of your hard work on this.

[@KlausMair]

Thank you for your contribution! Great read! I think that for a good coach it is not so much about describing the things he feels and does, but more about focusing on the right key skills that he wants his students to build so they can get there. What those are and why the one thing is more important than the other is the interesting question and the answer has a lot to do with the coach's experience in coaching skiers of all levels.

[@justinrfogarty780]

@@KlausMair I agree with what you have said. What my experience is that many so called experts cannot make the connection you described from their experience to the student’s needs. The issue is that there are so many videos out there saying one thing or the other and they actually create confusion. What I like what you’re done is keep it simple and understandable . Again thank you from Switzerland.

[@tckh7759]

Great video, and very accurate description about the psychology, thanks!

[@jamesgalloway5807]

Outstanding instruction. Danke!

[@Capo51]

Danke sehr👍. Very thorough, tested presentation. ✌️. Even skiers with experience on carving will learn from your advice. Thank you for sharing!

[@KlausMair]

Thank you :)

[@Capo51]

@@KlausMair U are very wellcome! ✌️. OVER 35 years ago, in 1990's I trained in Austria RS, riesenslalom, with a local Ski instructor, with wood cores skies of 2.03 m long, in order to learn 'carving', skiing on edge of my outer ski. Much development has happened in equipment since that. Love carving, and its now 10 times easier than then. Has had the pleasure of visting Austrian ski resorts over 40 years. Never ever been a slightest disappoinment. 🇵🇪

[@KlausMair]

That's great to hear! :) Yes it definitely was much harder but then also more obvious what needed to be done to do it right. ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6akpqV4hZl_ntU

[@Capo51]

@@KlausMair Exactly.

[@sandorvermes8415]

When I heard "if you have the feeling of getting stuck on the edge or being afraid of carving on steeper slopes this video is for you" I knew already that it certainly is! Yes, I'm cheating quite often on less steep slopes with the centrifugal force, while I'm being back (more pressure on heels than soles), and falling back on the inside ski because of too much "sporty looking", in fact in these cases just forced inclination. Instead of 1 ->2 ->3... Of course, then I'm being afraid on steeper slopes: falling back onto the inside ski can easily lead to a diverse motion of both skis, which is: uhhh... not good... This - lack of confidence - leads then often to forced, shortened turns... This is again a lesson at your usual level: comprehensive, still kept simple, to the point, duly illustrated. Many thanks, I'm heading already to the second part: it is already available for members on your homepage, isn't it? ;)

[@KlausMair]

Thank you 🙂 Yes you can find it in the member area -> Klaus Mair Blog -> 6 Key Drills for Carving 🙂👋🏻

[@roy87345]

Thank you. Cannot wait for part 2

[@roy87345]

Just purchased your Coaching Taka… so good :)

[@KlausMair]

I am happy that you like it! More content also in the member area on sofaski.com (free for customers). Have fun training! Klaus

[@transilvaniak8485]

Beautiful slopes! Where is this? Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. Before the season starts, I watch your videos to refresh my memory and get the right mindset & info ready for the slopes.

[@KlausMair]

Thank you! :) This was filmed in the Montafon in the ski resorts www.silvretta-montafon.at and www.golm.at Have a great winter!

[@drmarcmicucci]

Hello Klaus, what is the weight percentage from outside ski pressure and inside ski pressure? 80% - 20%? 100% - 0%? Thanks.

[@KlausMair]

You need to be on the outside ski enough so the ski carves and does not start to slide without you wanting it to. At all times during the turn you want to be in a position where you are able to adjust, so you can increase outside ski pressure to the amount necessary to achieve that. (talk about that in part 2)

[@drmarcmicucci]

@@KlausMair Thank you, I did watch part 2 and you did mention that! Thanks for your response.

[@testboga5991]

Excellent video!

[@emilfarcasanu5849]

Great stuff

[@mailitedd185]

Hi Klaus!! It's Regi. Do you remember me? I am so glad to find these videos! ❤

[@KlausMair]

Hi Regi! Great to hear from you! How are you doing? Are you still racing? :)

[@adam.adamus]

Great video I enjoy, it helped me understand

[@MsMsmak]

I've been taught to keep my skis shoulder width apart yet i see you have them close together. What's the correct placement

[@KlausMair]

That's a good question. In general having the feet hip width apart gives you the best stability (also see other sports). In skiing it depends a bit on the situation, the forces working on you, what kind of turn you are doing,... For a short turn you can have them fairly close, in powder even closer, the faster you go, the more the stance will get close to hip width (in my faster turns in the apex of the turn). It is therefore also not a problem to change the stance, as long as the stance does not get wider because one of your skis is losing grip, sliding away from you or stemming. Hope this helps. Klaus

[@MsMsmak]

@@KlausMair Thank you for replying. That certainly does answer my question.

[@Hellhamster63russ]

Спасибо, очень доходчиво и по сути 👍

[@loskiff]

Very good video indeed! Very useful. Moreover, can you tell me what brand of ski goggle you use? I can't find the anywhere 😅

[@KlausMair]

Thank you! :) messyweekend.com/ with coupon code "SOFASKI" you get a 15% discount

[@harryhanson6660]

I enjoyed the video. I do have a question, however. You referred to inclination several times, but never spoke of angulation, which is very apparent in your turns. Is there a reason for this? Thanks.

[@KlausMair]

Hi Harry, happy you enjoyed it. :) The lesson is all about balancing against the outside ski, which is also achieved by being able to angulate efficiently. I have numerous lessons on how to do this clean and efficiently. I guess i use the term less as sometimes people focus too much on the hip and not enough on what is done from the snow up. Starting with edging, feeling the grip and then adjusting the rest of the body accordingly. If i am not able to angulate i won't be able to carve. Will explain how inclination and angulation work together more in the second part as well. Hope this answers your questions. Have fun training! Klaus

[@harryhanson6660]

@@KlausMair It does. Thanks for your reply!

[@michaelberg7661]

Hi Klaus. Can you give gear recommendations for these kind of medium turns. Like what type of length / radius / whatever

[@KlausMair]

Hi, I would recommend a ski that is between 65-75mm under foot with a radius of 13-16m. Ideal length and stiffness vary with ability. The easiest ski to discover carving is a slalom ski with radius

[@justinrfogarty780]

Really good

[@sherazdotnet]

Hi Klaus. I have your older Insturction dvd. How is this Coaching Taka different? I'll buy it no matter what because I like you approach a lot but curios and would help when I'm focusing on the instruction in new video. Thx

[@KlausMair]

Coaching Taka is all about carving medium radius turns. It has more clips where I analyse and show what could go wrong and show how to work on it: vimeo.com/ondemand/coachingtakacarving

[@sherazdotnet]

@@KlausMair ok cool thx. Will Order 1.

[@PeterLotterhos]

Great video, thank u

[@BoolaBear]

Klaus Mair skis pretty good 👍

[@chanp8563]

I dont understand whe you said : the ski has to turn itself... BUT how it turn itself if we dont push a little bit?

[@KlausMair]

not sure where i say that... if you tell me in which part i can explain

[@chanp8563]

@@KlausMair Sorry Maybe I missunderstand it. Let me rephrase it then, is it true that the ski has to turn itself at the beginnig of the curve/ radius ?

[@KlausMair]

In this particular drill we try to be extra patient at the start of the turn. On an easy run we want to experience how the skis start to turn by themselves without us rushing, pushing, rotating,... The purpose of this is to discover this sensation. In normal skiing we can also turn the skis into the turn at the start (see Part 2) or actively steer them a bit as we go through it, but also there we just want to do it out of our legs and not by pushing with the body.

[@chanp8563]

@@KlausMair Thank for the answer

[@Андреич-с4н]

@@KlausMair :::not sure where i say that... ============= It's a pity that you have not said that, for the carving skis, if used correctly, are designed to turn itself. See explanation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXmpaaaHmZaCrNE Trying to turn the skess is the main newbie's mistake resulting in skidding. Instead you need to put the skis on edges and bend then applying preasure on your shins. All other stuff like correct posture, angulation etc serve these purposes of edging and bending

[@markmd9]

Can you carv at low speed but on steeper slope?

[@KlausMair]

Yes, but only on the moon.

[@kuanjuliu]

@@KlausMair Lol, love the honesty. Would you be able to ballpark the speed ranges one tends to encounter when carving on green/blue/black slopes? This is the one thing we can all measure for ourselves (with an app) but I've never seen an expert put a number on it. It would have been so helpful as a carving beginner to know I needed more speed!

[@KlausMair]

@@kuanjuliu You won't be able to put a number to it as it depends on the skis you ski on and your skill. I therfore don't think it would be useful. It is all about finding how to adjust to the forces working on you so you can stay in balance and keep the skis carving. I will cover this in part 2.

[@blurglide]

At the top of the turn, I always tell people "let them turn- don't make them turn!"

[@Osnosis]

As a mild counter, I teach that the skier must be intentional. Once they know and TRUST the mechanics of the ski, they will be more patient with turning. Additionally, turning the head in the direction of,the new turn really helps lower intermediate skiers.

[@yamagamitakahiro1912]

Sofaはとてもインターナショナルなスキースクールです。コメント欄には英語、ロシア語、ドイツ語、そして日本語があります。

[@KlausMair]

Hi Taka, have a great season! 😁🤞👍

[@михаилтрошин-е4т]

Не большой вопрос,а зачем приподнимать пятку внутренней лыжи?@ Это ваш стиль? Вы очень отличаетесь от многих хорошо катающихся карвингистов...

[@KlausMair]

Lifting the end of the inside ski is just a drill and yes I like to be different ;)

[@whoisthe1412]

Love it

[@petercutler3136]

Great

[@faustoemattia]

It Is time for the next video

[@KlausMair]

soon 🙂 Maybe this could entertain until then: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3LSZIiCbcaqfJo

[@faustoemattia]

@@KlausMair It will for sure thanks ⛷️👍

[@dasalpengluhen1747]

👋 Bleibt das auch hinterher noch online? Hinke zeitlich hinterher 🚶‍♂️😉

[@KlausMair]

ja natürlich :) auch auf Deutsch-> kzbin.info/www/bejne/emTVXoiffMyLaZY

[@anatoli28]

Exelent

[@coolgiga]

👍👍🥂

[@steven7650]

Dear lord your voice and microphone are atrocious. Please hire an audio consultant. Your advice could be valuable but I couldn't listen for more than 5 seconds.

[@KlausMair]

Well, if you don't listen you won't learn. Thank you for your feedback. 🙂

[@philipcarson6768]

I managed to listen and hear quite easily

[@petercutler3136]

I can hear it easily