HOW TO CONTROL YOUR SPEED WHEN SKIING | How to slow down, control your speed and remain in balance

In this video, Jojo O., top ski instructor on Maison Sport, takes you through her top tips and drills to help you gain more control when skiing down the mountain. Ever find yourself picking up more and more speed as you go down the mountain and having to come to a stop? Jojo is here to help! By creating rounder c-shaped turns that slow you down and by standing in a balanced position over your outside ski you will feel much more in control.
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00:10 INTRO
00:30 TIP 1 | Turn shape
01:02 DRILL 1 | Dragging your poles
02:54 TIP 2 | Balance
03:20 DRILL 2 | Lifting your inside ski
05:36 OUTRO
Browse more ski videos on our channel here:
• HOW TO WARM UP FOR SKI...
• HOW TO RIDE A BUTTON L...
• HOW TO TURN ON SKIS | ...
• HOW TO STOP ON SKIS | ...
Music ID:
NTKXTEVQSMWI03TM
7KLORQZVNX8YTM3J

[@markhavig641]

That was a great lesson for lower intermediates (like me) who are working on balancing on the outside ski. Our natural leg preference (usually the right leg) doesn’t often get mentioned in lessons. Turns on my right leg (left turns) are way better than on my left. During the last 2 seasons I’ve concentrated on balancing and turning on my left leg. It doesn’t look good (it’s wobbly) but it’s forcing me to use my left-leg muscles and my left-side balance to create a decent right turn. I’m slowly improving my skills and confidence ⛷️😎

[@kaes3321]

I have the same issue for right turns

[@ilonaxxx20]

Oh my! I skied only once in my life and my husband took me to an intermediate track in Georgia. It did not look intermediate at all. I lost all my confidence on skis that I have build in my first 2 skiing hours and started falling every single turn when turning right. I took of my skis halfway down (that’s how much I could manage to go) and walked. Right now I am afraid to ski.

[@peterginsburg2465]

The lifting of an up slope leg never helped my students to get centered on their skis, especially when going cross slope. They would go right back to their "tail wagging" position with weight back. If they hit ice, their their tails would slip out. What I discovered from my own skiing, that centering on your skis depends on how developed your lower leg muscles are. Beginners and intermediates tend to have weaker lower leg muscle control. Because of ski boot design, one can easily sit back on their boot backs, if they have little lower leg strength. And then they turn into "tail waggers." I had a lot of success in getting students centered on their skis by going back to the wedge (snow plow) position and getting them to apply pressure on their toes to turn while in wedge position. To do it right, you have to move more forward on your skis, which actually strengthens lower leg muscles and gives more control. If you sit back on your skis, you can't put pressure on your toes, you just force yourself back and put more weight on the backs of the skis. Once you get the students forward, and push down on their toes to start and maintain a turn, in wedge position, they'd gradually get more centered. Then we'd gradually transition to more parallel ski positions. And once you get them to be centered on their skis, then maintaining a carved turn gets easier with more control, THEN, you can get them to make those circular carving turns. My main problem with upper intermediate, "tail wagging" students who wanted more control, was when I insisted we go back to practicing wedge turns first and controlling turns with our toes. They weren't happy about that, with some complaining to my ski school director about it, especially in private lessons. Those skiers never did learn to center their weight on their skis. The key to getting students to do all that you say, is to get them "centered" on their skis first, which is the most difficult thing to get them to do. Once they're "centered," tilting their legs more, and all the other advanced maneuvers becomes possible.

[@kevinmurphy8644]

Great response - thankyou

[@SanduniPremaratne]

Great tips. Thank you!

[@markhavig641]

I agree…. and so do most ski schools. When instructors go for their level 1 qualification, they’re assessed on their ability to demonstrate wedge turns.

[@wanderingwithcaroline]

This is so helpful! I am a new skier and have found that I handle turns well until my lower legs fatigue, and then the day is pretty much shot for me. I think I’ll need to go back to practicing slow controlled wedge turns putting weight in my toes as you suggested. Thank you for your comment!

[@lisadavison1405]

@@wanderingwithcarolineit’s so interesting to read this. I returned from a brief weekend ski trip yesterday. I’m a v nervous skier who’s started learning in their mid-late 40s whilst battling vertigo and this weekend really brought home to me how much fatigue impacts my ability on the slopes . After only two hours my leg muscles are so tired that switching pressure/weight from one foot to the other becomes incredibly difficult and I find it impossible to stay forward. So then control flies out of the window, anxiety shoots up and I become more tense (which is tiring in itself) and my confidence plummets. 😂 However, it’s been really useful to understand that process and I can see that I’m actually improving up to the time that my leg muscles start to shake. At that point I’m best to call it a day and end the session on a high. I’m never going to be a “good” skier but I’m definitely gradually improving with each session. When you completely lack confidence your only option is to focus on increasing competence. Any tips on off-slope exercises to build the necessary muscle strength?

[@lorenkittel9459]

great instructor and great skiing. I taught the last 1/3 of the turn first, getting control of your speed and skiing uphill to stop. then the first 1/3, initiating by slipping the tips downhill . NOT HOPPING. then when they know they can control their speed by finishing the turn, the middle 1/3,.the part where you speed up crossing the fall line, is not nearly so scary. good emphasis on "S" shaped turns, not "Z" shaped turns. mount baker. WA, USA

[@jeffliu4203]

Ok, so ski back uphill is a way to slow down. You have nailed it right on my fear, thank you! And the 3 tips you have mentioned are perfect ways to avoid the 3 pitfalls waiting in front of me, thank you again!

[@thuynh9071]

Tx for a great lesson. I've taken private lessons but was never explained this technique! This has helped my yesterday's ski outing a lot. Please make more videos with great tips.

[@ericreyes2531]

Thanks for the tip, I’m 57 years old and 250 lbs and it’s hard for me to slow down, it takes a toll on my legs. We’re going to Lake Tahoe next month 🤞🏼

[@TomislavKolaric]

Thanks! This is one of more useful videos for intermediate skiers! I am very happy to stumbled upon this video. So many videos try to explain, but how you put it-it just makes more sense

[@maisonsport]

You're very welcome!

[@thierryg3009]

Great, concise and clear to show me what I need to do differently. Thank you!

[@athleticgeek1]

I do this, but at 6'4'' 230 at 50 (fit but not ripped), it gets tiring now yet I am still "fast". It didn't when I was 40. I find it easier to ski faster and not round out my turns so much than to be more in control on advanced blues and blacks. I can only think of getting shorter skis or getting in better cardio shape and losing some muscle and fat along the way.

[@Capo51]

' Sqeese that lemon'. Liked this tip especially 😂👍

[@guymartinez4394]

Oh My God, your good...thank you for taking the time for us.

[@gspice71]

One of the best lessons I’ve ever seen online. Thank you! I may need to come to you in person! 😊

[@maisonsport]

Thank you so much for your kind comment! Make sure to visit maisonsport.com for lessons in over 400 resorts across Europe ⛷

[@Prinzs]

Yes thanks I was yesterday the first time and I got down the hill the first time without falling, it made so fun I got addicted lmao

[@Peepsee]

Some great ideas for teaching some skills! Thanks, will try these out this winter as i am an complete amature 😊

[@sylviacardona9815]

Loved the lesson🎉 thank you ❤❤❤❤

[@malikrameez703]

I am first time watching your video best ski tips

[@maisonsport]

Thanks and welcome 🙏

[@tadeuszsolowiej1522]

🌹super tips, thank you 🙏

[@maisonsport]

Thank you!

[@user-bu9nb8wr6e]

Very good lesson and very clearly explained.

[@malikrameez703]

Good mam

[@tonidinkic]

I just don't get why there is no any fence at edges of track, 1:23 for example. It looks like certain injury or even worse if you go across, and for beginners who are just trying to accommodate to steering, it just seems scary.

[@OnceABustAlwaysABust]

2:20 re “squeeze the lemon”. I don’t understand this position. If you hit any bump won’t you be flying because you have no way to absorb it?

[@Juulnvm]

No because you still use your legs to flex and absorb them

[@wngmv]

Your legs are flexed and you are leaning forward, any bumps will send you in the air a bit and you'll land on the ball of your feet. And because your whole body is flexed you just absorb the little bumps naturally with your hips (this is ideal). Trust me. This literally happened this afternoon. It was insanely icy so I was sent flying a few times. Never lost my balance on the bumpy runs let alone fell.

[@dirkaloha]

Still looks too fast for me

[@Xalvy]

Tha

[@TonyTwort]

The instructor does not state to lift the heel to maintain balance with a forward stance. lots of lower level skiers lean back to lift the ski so the tip comes up and balance shifts to the back. Also when demonstrating the pole to snow she does it on a narrow track using the whole width, which endangers other skiers coming from behind

[@PaintdropArrow]

Skiing 101 The skiers uphill are RESPONSIBLE for skiing in a manner that allows them to ADJUST their path & speed to NOT run into skiers who are practicing below.

[@traildog47]

I do not understand any of this, speaking as a skier, who feels like I've just left a catapult as soon as I move off down the slope, and hit warp factor 9 within a few meters, and always having to keep turning until I point uphill.

[@EmperorAst]

Then I guess it is not for you, first you need to learn braking lol

[@PaintdropArrow]

Stick to the 💚 beginner slopes that have a slight slope until you gain confidence. Nothing to "prove" on the slopes. Find a good ski Instructor and take a lesson.

[@Flypidge]

Please can I ask anyone that has knowledge. How do I best control speed, I am tall and heavy...my weight is around 16.5 to 17 stone. I have been skiing a couple of times, I always find it takes a massive toll on my legs as I'm constantly skidding into the turn to decrease speed. I know this is incorrect but I do it because I'm scared of picking up to much speed.

[@alessandrol2221]

How much is it in SI units?

[@Flypidge]

@alessandrol2221 hello it's about 104kg

[@alessandrol2221]

@@Flypidge You're not exactly lightweight, but if you've got good muscles, it's not a big deal! I'm not a master myself and am still learning to ski well, but here's what I would suggest: -Try to train your legs a bit. -Be patient, as the coordination needed for skiing can sometimes feel counterintuitive. Follow the tips of this video, and pay particular attention to the advice about shifting your weight onto the downhill ski: this way, you won't skid, but instead, you'll be able to carve into the snow with the inside edge of the ski (the edge pointing to the hill) and then guide it toward the gentlest slope that you feel is safe. This will help you slow down. As I mentioned, it's counterintuitive because everyone tends to move "away from the cliff". But in this case, you need to keep your head over the skis and make sure most of your body weight is on the downhill ski.

[@Flypidge]

@@alessandrol2221 Thank you for replying, I was chuckling to myself when you said "not exactly lightweight" really made me laugh, your not wrong 😂 I appreciate your time explaining this, I am fairly muscular, especially in my legs as I play a lot of sports and walk. I think you are correct though as the muscles that hurt must be muscles I don't often use whilst doing normal activities. I will take that advice on board and look for good exercises to tone specific muscles that tend to ache when I have skied previously. I will also try to focus on my body position when turning, I need to really use my knees to lean away from the slope, like you said....so I can use the edge more effectively. I appreciate your time, I'll let you know how it goes. I still have almost 2 months before I go skiing, so hopefully I can start to tone up the muscles a little bit. All the best and have a great Christmas and New year's.

[@alessandrol2221]

@@Flypidge oh by the way, I didn't mean to be offensive! And when I wrote that answer I had read 140kg, which is a bit more :D Well, since you're muscular, it's not really that much! Merry Christmas to you as well and enjoy your skiing!

[@thyslop1737]

Are you available in the middle of Feb 2025 in Vail?

[@maisonsport]

Hi! I'm afraid we currently only operate in European ski resorts - hopefully one day!

[@thyslop1737]

@maisonsport I was more joking than anything. But, at the same time, I thought I would ask. As well, I probably could not even afford you.

[@jackMcRyder]

I have no idea what’s going on, or, what’s shown in half of the video, at least .

[@kowalskik.1333]

With the curve showing on the beginning of video you really should show also the bad alternative, because I did not get your point. What you showed.. ..what else?

[@ryandetert450]

The main thing is you want to lean the opposite direction that you're turning. She makes it look easy but it's pretty advanced what she's doing. Probably even better to try to touch your hand to your boot instead of touching the ski pole to the ground so you can really make sure you're shifting your weight.

[@dzailibu]

🤦🏻 Brits teaching skiing. What's next? Basketball?

[@ricardomarinho7819]

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