How to Ski Powder, Sofa Ski School

Full 13 minute Video plus Powder Reminder Card to download:
sofaski.com/introduction-to-p...
For more Information ↓
Deutsche Version: sofaski.com/de/einfuehrung-in...
This lesson is a shortened version of the Introduction to Powder lesson from my latest instructional "Sofa Ski School - From Blue to Powder": sofaski.com/videos/blue-to-po...
The focus lies on:
- helping the viewer understand the importance of the basic skiing skills for improving the performance in the powder
- showing how the turn initation and the control phase in the powder look like
- explaining the concept of building a platform by pushing the snow together
- showing some basic exercises to improve the feeling and timing for building a plattform
While being able to ski powder and off-piste terrain better is a very common goal for many of our customers we need to make the step back to improving more basic skiing skills in most of the cases.
The beauty about being able to ski the powder effortlesly is that we need to make minimal movements with maximum effect. Every inefficiency leads to a loss in performance and will make it more work than necessary.
In my new ski instructional "From Blue to Powder" i show in over 2 hours of instruction how we work on the release/initation and pressure/control phase of the turn as well as how these skills translate into skiing the powder, bumps and short turns.
I hope you like it, appreciate your likes, subscribtions and comments and am happy to answer if you have any questions.
Klaus
The instructional is available for download, on-demand viewing and on DVD on
sofaski.com/product/from-blue...
SOFASKI.COM
Instructional Ski Videos and Articles, sofaskischool.com
Online Ski Analysis and Training Planning, skianalysis.com
Ski Improvement Camps and Private Coaching, sofaskicamps.com
00:00 Intro and Goals
00:21 Common Problems in Powder
01:50 About Snow
03:33 Drills
05:07 Walking on Snow Analogy
05:59 How not to do it
07:10 Outro
Follow us on social media:
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/ mairklaus
/ sofaskischool
#ski #powder #learntoski

[@MrFlabbJack]

Brilliant. The best explanation I have ever seen....

[@stephenverburg]

Agreed!

[@average0citizen]

The best lesson for skiing the powder here on yt - made me improve rly much!

[@chimbatete]

Klaus you're the best! Very well thought out teaching. Come to Canada.

[@1949taurus]

Bravo Kalus. Gute Arbeit !!!

[@billendy7425]

First powder video I have watched of many where I actually learned something useful! I live in ski country and am looking forward to trying this technique.

[@KlausMair]

Thank you Bill. Have a great winter! Klaus

[@frsantariga]

Du hast es leicht gemacht! Danke für die Lektion

[@joaquincortada1483]

I love "The Powder"

[@jforeman4111]

Bought Klaus's ski school CD several years ago. He is an excellent skier and teacher. His simple suggestions are innovative but easy to understand!

[@KlausMair]

Thank you! :) I hope you have access to the member area on the new website with more content. Private message me if you don't. Kind regards, Klaus

[@misterfunnybones]

I improved my skiing balance (base of support + center of mass) by snowboarding. Having your legs locked & no poles forces the brain to maintain balance without increasing your base of support by widening the stance or by pole planting or pole dragging. Deep powder requires balance to float on the snow. Be careful of tree wells & snow immersion suffocation. Great video.

[@simonsays3115]

misterfunnybones I broke my arm when i tried to snowboard for the First Time After 14 y of skiing

[@powderskier5547]

Excellent explanation Klaus and cant wait to try your tips in Japan

[@KlausMair]

Thank you. :) We now also run Sofa Ski Camps in Japan www.sofaskicampsjapan.com :) Greets, Klaus

[@ThievesTools]

Finally a good and useful explanation, very good video!

[@lucamaletti8958]

I agree, you did a great video. It's really a clear, simple and efficient exmplanation! Thank you very much!

[@KlausMair]

Thank you Luca! :)

[@paulbraiden3587]

Absolutely excellent! Very well done.

[@koji100200]

Very good instruction in all your videos, thank you. from Japan!

[@KlausMair]

Thank you. More to come. :)

[@michaelsupple6081]

What an excellent tutorial!

[@tsr7198]

Very good instruction in all your videos, thank you. Sub

[@borysvengerov3398]

Great tips! It's very beneficial to understand the physics of powder under your ski: you're actually compressing it to build a small "groomer" for yourself as you go. P.S. I would argue that there's no new movements (skills) as opposed to on-piste skiing, but it is a different technique though.

[@Capo51]

Great ski lesson ⛷️

[@gRosh08]

Feeling good!

[@jasmic1995]

his accent is so funny and cute (; Super Duper but honestly this vid was really helpful for me

[@TheSnifmister]

Very good video. You taught me something

[@MorganPetitniot]

Great job Mair ;)

[@KlausMair]

Thank you :)

[@deepbluewaterful]

A Neskvik lessn : ) just kiddin great explanation, thank you

[@KlausMair]

Quick and cheap. :) Thank you.

[@cbro_]

Super duper turns

[@raghadmimar7269]

cool vid!

[@RatrackSnowDozer]

Clear and Simple to understand ! I just would add that for Off Piste the skier should also do not forget his brain on top of the rescue equipment and the guide. ;-)

[@KlausMair]

I have added something at the end but yes agree.

[@manzoordeadarskihimalaya3205]

I agree with you, sir

[@manzoordeadarskihimalaya3205]

Have a visit here once in paradise Kashmir especially in gulmarg

[@williamotule]

great thanks!

[@ryanturner3945]

Is that a hat? or crazy hair! LMAO ..SUPER DUPER!

[@KlausMair]

It is my "how not to do it" beanie but there were times when i actually taught in it. :)

[@14anjuli]

Klaus the BEST

[@Tazz-ox4np]

Thanks 🙏

[@falllinemaniac]

That porpoising movement is fun and all but it's so strenuous. I know I'm skiing the powder when I cannot see my skis. This is throughout the process, top to bottom. If the skis are submerged all the way down, that's a good run. New school shapes do this with aplomb. Front side carvers are for the groomed runs.

[@JanosKoranyi]

This was really god. I enjoyed it very much. May I suggest one new idea that can help a lot! This is dorsal flexion of your ankles. You press your feet upwards inside the boots when you ski in powder. This will create an ankle flex and also it lifts up the ski-tips so that you push your skis upward in the snow by your body. This is usually called "virtual bumps" Dorsal flex will prevent the skis from running ahead of your body even if you push your skis forwards, instead, they will go upwards in the snow. As soon you need an unloading of your ski-pressures, a knee flex, you use a dorsal flex of your feet with force.

[@KlausMair]

Thank you Janos. Lifting up the foot inside the boot, similar to leaning back for a short moment, helps to get the skis back up if the tips are about to dive. In general though i always want to keep my foot in touch with the boot, the footbed and would only use this as a move to get the tips back up. The virtual bump you refer to, the knee flex to create unloading is something you can also see me do in the run that is used as the thumbnail of the video, further down, closer to the camera. More on this can also be found here: Flex to Release vs Up and Forward kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKq2m3SHptVghdU Thanks for you comment. Greets, Klaus

[@Kenny-lbaum]

Thanks Klaus. However you are using the broad skis that are really easier in deeper snow. Kinda similar to the snowboard.

[@KlausMair]

Hi Leo, not on the run at 2:42. ;) Greets, Klaus

[@relatietherapie]

very good

[@foyorama]

remember ¨speed is your friend¨ if you go too slow you will have to work a lot harder

[@gregdowling2043]

Superb!

[@KlausMair]

Thank you! :)

[@char_r10]

Awesome

[@sendyboi7028]

I live on the eastern side or the us, I don’t know how to ski it because our slopes are either ice or groomed runs.

[@nolanredder2531]

Is it the same technique going down a steep run if so I feel like I would go way to fast

[@KlausMair]

Yes the technique stays the same, you would only steer the skis more out of the fall line / finish the turns more so you can control the speed. Increase the steepness gradually.

[@bustin5905]

"the powder" :)

[@andrewpeters9520]

Excellent methodology. What happened to your hair at 7:03?😜

[@KlausMair]

Thank you. :) 7:03 that's my helmet ;)

[@bigd2829]

So after you push down to create a hard base in the snow, what are you doing exactly with your legs/feet to initiate the next turn? Are your just simply turning your body and skis or is it something different? Happy skiing! 😊

[@KlausMair]

After you have found the plattform you can use it to move up and forward to create release and turn the skis. Same movement as in this drill kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zpa7n3Vmad9-p6c , only that you then use the release to turn the skis a bit. Just try to turn your legs and not your body. Have fun skiin! :)

[@bigd2829]

@@KlausMair this is super helpful, you are amazing. Thank you!!!

[@KlausMair]

You are welcome! 😊 This might also be helpful: sofaski.com/introduction-to-powder-free-reminder-card-to-download/

[@bigd2829]

@@KlausMair Awesome, I’ll check it out!

[@rich8304]

Buy some bungy cord and tie(not to tight) your knees together, go easy on the pitch of the slope.You'll be amazed how it unitizes the legs which gives you a wider( mono ski effect) platform to work with your pressure control movement pattern.Try it you'll like it

[@KlausMair]

Having a more narrow stance definitely helps in powder.

[@PaulGalea-zz1my]

Skiing on an Armada powder skies with more then 110 cm under the foot (like in your example) is not the same with skiing in the powder with a Volkl Racetiger with 66cm under the foot ( like in your exemple when you rest). Armada is a rocker ski that is not stocking in the deep snow while the Volkl Racetiger slalom ski is a camber one that get stock in deep snow and doesnt matter how much presure you bring with your ballance. In deep snow you don't carve like on piste, you have to float with the knees close and for this reason you need a wide pair of skis under the boots. I don't say is not possible to ski on powder with carve slalom skies for piste if you are an expert and you are in confort with high speed as to float, but for a guy that is taking ski lesson that is an horrible experience. So my first advice to ski in powder is to better use powder skies ( preferred rocker or camber-rocker at least).

[@KlausMair]

Dear Paul, the turns at 2:40 are on the Völkl Racetiger with 66mm under foot. The other skis used are an Atomic Allmountain and a Völkl powder ski with 100+mm. I agree that it does make it easier to ski powder on a wider ski and I explain that at 3:45. No matter what skis you use it is key that you are using the correct technique as especially on the wider skis it would be easy to just lean back and wiggle the tail. That's what this lesson is about. Greets, Klaus

[@PaulGalea-zz1my]

@@KlausMair Dear Klaus, if you can learn an intermediate skier, to ski in deep powder with SL carve skies 66 cm under the foot with your tehnic, i'll give you 2000 euros. If not, you give me 2000 euros. Do you accept the challenge ?

[@KlausMair]

@@PaulGalea-zz1my Dear Paul, I am not sure what you are trying to say. Did I say that you should ski powder on a piste ski? Sorry I don't get it.

[@marios739]

The teaching part is great, good job, but you need to find a new filmmaker

[@KlausMair]

Thank you. I will continue to work on improving the video quality. The focus definitely lies on the content.

[@najlaalkhuzayem544]

Is it better for beginners to ski on powder? And is it safer when you fall?

[@KlausMair]

Hi Najla, beginners first need to learn how to ski on an easy, groomed beginner runs. Falling is definitely less painful if you pick a day with some soft, fresh snow but it helps if it is groomed to make it easier. After learning the skiing basics and progressing to safely being able to ski blue and red runs you can start to work on your skiing in ungroomed snow. Ideally with just a little bit of fresh, on a run that is not too steep together with a great coach. Thank you for watching. Klaus

[@sssniperdragon8474]

Najla alkhuzayem no

[@2204JCM]

Power skiing is for advanced skiers and require different skis (wider). Beginners should be on the Green trails, then easy blue, more difficult blue, etc.

[@madduckks]

Pushing the snow together is fine in that little bit of wet snow, but in waist deep plus, super dry snow, you don't ever push... You pull and move to where you are going, with rhythm!... You never get out of the snow! Come to Jackson Hole!

[@KlausMair]

I hope i can ski Jackson Hole one day. I think this applies just as much to waist deep powder as it does to knee deep. Also in powder skiing there is more than one way of doing it. A good skier uses and blends different techniques. I think you can see the push as well as the pull that you are reffering to in the turns from 2:40 on. The powder lesson on the DVD/ondemand video covers this more. Thank you for your input. Come to Austria!

[@rickblair5509]

Deepest snow I ever skied was Colorado blower chest deep back in mid-90s, before wide skis. I can validate your skills/techniques work there too. I am very impressed with the quality of your instructions. You are a fantastic skier! Check out Olympic and WC champ Debbie Armstrong with 8-9 year olds. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWO2lH6JgqypqsU

[@KlausMair]

Hi Rick, thank you for your comment. I like Debbie's clips and espescially her enthusiasm and energy that she shows when coaching. :) Greets, Klaus

[@Ensignpeak]

Great content but bad snow! That's not much of powder as it is heavy untracked snow.

[@richardelder256]

Great teaching sequence! Too bad you didn't have real powder snow to demonstrate in! LOL. The purist definition of powder skiing it that it happens when you are no longer skiing on the base but floating in the medium. Your idea of building a platform under the skis as you turn still holds, the only difference is that it is even more fun in deep powder!

[@KlausMair]

Thank you for your feedback Richard. There can always be more snow. :) I got a few deeper powder turns in the sequence after 2:40 ;)

[@borjaperez7540]

in what skiis he is on???

[@KlausMair]

The turns at 1:02 are on a ca 100m powder ski, the ones at 2:40 on a Völkl GS Speedwall ca 70mm under foot.

[@rishellefedrick1743]

VICQUE BEST FRIEND'S

[@RobertOfPrague]

Servus Klaus, ganz dufte jemacht (Vatti war Berliner). Gruesse aus den Rockies. Would hope you've skied the real dry fluff in UT, CO, ID, WY & MT. Am an ole mntn goat w/ a bum knee from volleyball, can't do the hard leaning carving but still do the deep & steep in the trees on the ♦♦ in 2-5' of fresh pow. Face shots: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKfHmXpmopufe9E A little wider stance & standing always over the sweet spot is advised here - don't kiss a tree. ;-) The pitch changes all the time in the trees - great fun. Am 6'4" (192 cm), 195 lbs & skiing 186-192 skis 100-122 underfoot. Spent last season in Solitude on Headwall & in Honeycomb Cny. Back to Alta now. Have a great off-piste season.

[@KlausMair]

Hallo Robert, danke für Deinen Kommentar. :) Great pictures on your link! Wishing you lots of snow and a great season too! Klaus

[@phishfearme2]

you forget step number 1 - finding powder!! good luck finding anywhere where powder lasts more than one/two runs

[@KlausMair]

Where do you ski? I am happy to recommend some places.

[@Cutlerypotato]

Get to de choppa

[@robertnaples4268]

The most important thing how to ski powder is BEING FIRST so your class will be kissed just kidding old joke

[@loremipsumproductivityengi7552]

Please don't teach by advanced narrow turns with body constantly facing downhill, they give little control over the speed. In fact, newcomers are extremely cautious and wish to maintain maximum control over their speed, so they only perform wide turns with their upper bodies rotating with their waists, parallel braking at every turn. Narrow powder carves provide no help to powder beginners.

[@KlausMair]

Well Inigo you obviously got that wrong and I am very sorry that you are teaching skiers to turn with their bodies so they can make it down a powder run. The technique all respected ski schools in the world are teaching is based on ski fundamentals that will help you do well in the powder as well as on any other slope. Just because turning with the body helps a beginner make it down a powder run does not mean that it has anything to do with skiing (also taking the skis off and rolling down sideways works). Doing full body swings might help beginners to get down but it won't help them to further improve and creates movement patterns that will be very hard to change again later. Many self taught skiers get this part wrong and then wonder why they can only make it down a powder slope and still struggle to ski it. This was one of the key points that i tried to make with the video by also showing what many do and demonstrating what you should not do so skiers hopefully choose to take a good lesson and learn how it is done most efficiently.

[@micwell2247]

doesn't mention he's skiing on 6" wide skis...either

[@KlausMair]

The skis used in the run at 2:40 are 68mm under foot

[@Cutlerypotato]

He could ski on toothpicks, this guy is a pro