Look Into Your Turns - Ski Tip For Making More Controlled Turns

Most skiers do not look far enough into their carved ski turns. Or they do not look at a deliberate point further ahead in the turn and just look “somewhere” downhill. Or possibly just a little in front of them. If this is you you’re making linking fluid turns harder and not giving your most important visual system information about whats coming up. Looking ahead is something we all know is important however I have found breakthroughs in many skiers by getting them to focus further ahead into the turn. Watch this 9 min video to help get you on the right track for all your turns whether you’re a beginner or an expert.
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[@robroman7407]

When I learned to drive, my instructor taught me to look into my turns and my hands and arms would follow my eyes. The body will follow where the eyes lead us, so many appliations.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Sure are

[@tigertank123]

Tom, your channel and information is second to none. I and a friend are of equal ability. I watched this video and turned him onto the drill...it has turned our turning and carving completely around! Unbelievable how something so simple can make a milestone difference! Thanks again

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Wow brilliant! Im loving how many people have found this video helpful and how drastically fast it changes their skiing. Thanks for the support 😀

[@SkiwithTeejTV]

Most effective tip for anyone on the slopes. Good on ya for puting together a vid on the simple yet somehow easily forgotten necessity by many.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thanks TJ

[@scott.e.wiseman]

This is the most helpful instructional video I’ve seen in a long time! In the last two days it made a huge difference in the stability and confidence I have moving inside a carved turn. Thank you!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Brilliant Scott!

[@frantiseksedivy5136]

Great tip, I'd like to add this is not just a practical hint, but also comes forward to safety on the slopes, you could add looking around during the turns, because one of the worst and most stupid accidents on the slopes is when one or two skiers carve and hit each other because they have not looked where they should have. So while looking in the turn, look slightly behind and to the other side too, be 100% aware of your surroundings.

[@TAH1712]

Certainly if cruising and using the whole width of the piste I agree. But it depends upon the turn shape, your general skiing direction, snow conditions and terrain.

[@simongloutnez589]

This is especially tru when skiing at low speed

[@frantiseksedivy5136]

@@simongloutnez589well people tend to get beyond the speed they have full controll and then when the worst happens in my experience. Typicaly 2 people carving because its nice snow and sunny, but they don't have the ability to look around or change directions, they meet near the appex and collide in a very bad and painful way. I have seen feet turned backwards under knee from this, also head and torso injuries can be even more severe in that situation.

[@simongloutnez589]

@@frantiseksedivy5136 damn your right! I was thinking of slow speed skiers arcing very wide turns but your very right

[@frantiseksedivy5136]

@@TAH1712It does not depend as much on any of that alone, the moment you do not have your surroundings checked, you are a ticking bomb, only waiting to explode, when you lose your luck. In every situation you must have your surroundings checked by yourself or by others.

[@31acruz]

This is a very, very important point which makes a much bigger difference than I ever imagined.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

It’s crazy how much it helps

[@johnpetersen8116]

I learned about this recently and we called it "targeting" your next turn...I find that keeping all movements progressive really helps keep things smooth. Quicker targeting with shorter turns, more drawn out with larger turns, but always targeting progressively...awesome video. (As always!)

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Glad you notice the effects are positive too. And thanks John for the support

[@johnklaus9111]

This is one of the best tips out there! Feeling your head slowly rotate towards the target while looking further and further down the line creates such a feeling of security and enables turn linkages. This tip is a basic requirement of skiing moguls and trees, without which you put yourself in real danger. 😊

[@johnklaus9111]

You need to also understand this "looking down the line" actually requires quite a bit of flexibility in your core and hips.

[@undrellx]

excellent explanation and demo... this drill really starts to get a functional body posture... also gets skiers to demonstrate true intention, which makes everything more dynamic and balanced... i'm forwarding this on to a lot of people!! cheers

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thanks 🙏 The intention piece is so important

[@petervandersluijs9256]

Never seen anyone pointing this out so clearly. I am on ski holiday at this very moment and tomorrow I am gonna try this out immidiately. Thanks for posting!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Let me know how it works out I’m interested to know

[@petervandersluijs9256]

@@Bigpictureskiing it was.different. I needed some time to get used to it but it felt more comfortabele after a while. Unfortunately I got sick the day after so wasn't able to practice more.

[@mmckimson]

Love this. I use this tip all the time as most skiers trying to learn how to carve don't do it.

[@lolo_persian]

Great tip, love it. Additional to that topic, any advise on when the visibility is so low that you barely can see ahead? It makes you feel dizzy when can’t tell the depth of the surrounding.

[@RollGlide]

That’s exactly what my instructor taught me. Great reminder.

[@edsearancke4711]

Superb video. This has made a real difference to my skiing. I found it has helped improve my edge angles, which isn't something I expected.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Sure does it’s quite amazing the results you get

[@Mikey-rs1zq]

This is great instructional advise which worked wonders for me. The old school adage of "turn your toes and not your nose" can be shelved. We are all students in this great sport. Thanks Tom for challenging the status quo and sharing this pearl advise. 👍 👏

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Cheers Mikey.

[@SnowCampsEurope]

We have been teaching this for a long time but as you say Tom it's a massive oversight.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Yes in general it’s often just a “look down the hill or look ahead”. I learnt the importance first off from an Austrian friend Fritz who spotted I didn’t look much into my left footers

[@fsquared64]

Excellent demonstration of a critical technique! I started both my kids skiing at three years old and is how I got them to do their first snowplow turns. As soon as they turned their head in the direction they wanted to go the rest was purely automatic. Great video, thank you 🙏

[@denisbilkey4033]

Turning the head helps open the shoulders and hips to the best positions. Great explanation

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Sure does!

[@JaneTraweek]

This is the most helpful and game changer instruction. It confirms, validates and refines what I figure out about 3 weeks ago. Tom, you are amazing and heart felt thank you!!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thanks 🙏

[@danieldunlop1409]

Tom: I am a long time advanced skier and this tip of looking into the turns has absolutely transformed my skiing. Thank you so much!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

No worries Daniel. Really happy you got such a good result and shared it so others will want to give it a try.

[@msysmilu]

This is such an overlooked tip with great benefits in all sorts. Well explained as well. :)

[@Bigpictureskiing]

thanks 🙏

[@jordi-rr6ce]

That video is really gold for me bc thats the last point i needed to achieve an advanced carving turn, for one reason i was looking the skis, how to edge or maybe looking birds and not looking ahead... that helped me to balance better, you , and deb, and Morgan (spanish-french) are really great instructors and really helped me to do a self learning of carve, without all of you i will have no progressed and stayed an intermediate level for years and years. Great Tom!😂

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Great to hear!

[@roy87345]

This is gold and so original ❤❤❤

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Cheers I was looking to share something different from the usual ski tip posts on KZbin

[@hlleung]

thank for this good tip. I will add this into my skill box . This should help me better in turn

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Best of luck!

[@jocika022]

God bless you men. I tried this today and it changed my ski forever.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Awesome

[@profpat70]

I never thought about this before. Thanks Tom!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Happy to help!

[@profpat70]

@@Bigpictureskiing I tried it this morning-- -what a stunning difference!

[@markfrancis5751]

Super tip! i felt it this year!!!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Perfect! 🤩

[@antonyschwarz8749]

bless u in Jesus name great footage lessons as always xxxx

[@igor.vanlife]

Will try tomorrow 😉👍🏻

[@igor.vanlife]

OMG!!!! It really works!! What a fantastic feeling and so much progress!! Thanks to this tip I've moved from mid 130 to mid 140 on Carv and Early Edging increase by 230% WOW!! Big thanks 👍🏻

[@Bigpictureskiing]

You’re welcome. How about that 10 IQ points!!! Awesome result

[@alyelo]

As a motorcycle rider doing this all the time, works on windsurfing as well. Thanks for pointing out the importance of it to skiers.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

It’s so powerful and obvious isn’t it. Yet we don’t talk much about it in skiing

[@avimench1]

Super clever and practical tip. Respect Tom and thank you.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Very welcome

[@SnowDreamsJapan]

Great video, something Ive just started to realize and play with more and more lately. The views from Hakuba Goryu are just spectacular this time of year!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

The views are spectacular! And thanks 🙏

[@NoOnesIdea]

An excellent channel and explanations. So good I've found this channel.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Welcome aboard!

[@TAH1712]

Good one Tom...

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thanks 🙏

[@richardgordon6379]

Great video, will be trying this out in about a weeks time, hopefully will tidy up my ski rotation problem.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Let me know

[@magnificoas388]

Looking at your turns is first step for anticipation. Free skiing becomes racing skiing :)

[@Bigpictureskiing]

It sure is

[@GiacomoMilazzo]

Just as riding a motorbike. The bike goes where your eyes are looking 😊

[@Gaobudong]

Love how most principles for ski is exactly the same as snowboarding

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Totally 💯

[@dr.mariotorres-leon8869]

Thanks very much! Great channel!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Welcome!

[@leezynel7203]

Tom, I am going to try this technique on my first- time ski clients… learning wedge turns… a bit worried they will turn their shoulders as well… interested to see the results… Thanks for the tip!! Leo

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Try it out. And don’t be worried about stuff like that. Beginners need to feel safe turning where they want to go first and foremost. And there are so many skills in skiing to be learnt this is just one of them

[@marcogiardinastories]

Tom stunning drills and so clearly explained … I rarely comments on YT but truly kudos on your ski instructing skills … if you are reading let me know if ever happen you are in LAAX Switzerland as it would very great to inspire people over here with your drills 👈

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thanks Marco for leaving a comment. I hope to visit Switzerland someday soon. Ever skied there

[@TheCosmic7]

sehr sehr guter Tipp!!!Danke

[@Bloomwealth]

Tom, I have been watching your videos for a couple years now. Thanks to your instruction, at the age of 65, I'm able to occasionally get a high enough edge angle to drag my hand. But what I really want to know, is where do I find your ski suit catalog. I'm in colorado, we don't ever find anything that nice here. You are awesome, keep up the Great videos.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Wow awesome that youve improved with the help of my videos. Ok so these suits are from ONYONE a Japanese brand. Look up onyone.ca I am usually wearing a suit that is from next seasons catalogue so if you like it or at least the style and want different colors it’s best to preorder it. AJ from Onyone NA is really helpful with sizing and sort you out.

[@ilonabrandt-tom454]

extremely helpful...thank you...

[@Bigpictureskiing]

You're welcome!

[@chriswestern1309]

Thanks for the tip. Nor skied for a few weeks but will be trying it in Italy next month. I'm trying to think if I do this but think i may be like some who tend to look down the fall line more. Cheers👍

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Good luck!

[@amundekroll7490]

Very nice up unweighting and rotation.This is 2024 get a grip.

[@erikdarosa659]

Great video! Love the Siamac cameo appearance. Are you going to be in Aspen this Spring?

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Cheers Erik. No visits to Aspen this year sadly

[@ashleywagstaffe]

Hi Tom, I've been following you since January and am loving the way you break things down and explain things. My family and I are off to Whistler for 2 weeks in a weeks time. The last proper ski holiday I was on was in 1996 and Skis have changed! I went for 2 days in 2015 and was back to parallel skiddy skiing within an hour. We have been Ski fit traing since January and are getting personal training too focusding on core muscles. We are getting into your carving videos and I would love to learn carving in Canada. Not a long time to prepare... so what should we focus on? All thd best! Ashley circa 1974

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Join big picture skiing and use the app and video library for a month and watch the carving category videos. There are drills and tutorials a plenty there. You can try it free for 7 days just to be sure it resonates with you. Have a great trip

[@mikemacgregor5773]

This is very cool, Tom-thank you! I've been playing with it, and it does indeed make everything seem so much smoother. On the hill today, I found that the timing of "the look" and toppling worked really well together-it seems like looking into the next turn sets my body up to topple super easily and at the perfect time. Does that make sense?

[@Bigpictureskiing]

That’s what I feel too 👌🏻

[@stevehops2825]

Gotta look where you want to go, not where you don't want to go. Especially single track mountain biking. At 73 that neck doesn't like to swivel far, but it obeys sometimes. 😅

[@KonradFranke]

Nice tip. Thanks to your videos I can see great progress in my skiing 🙏 I’m just curious what model of skies do you have? :)

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Great to hear. These are the Fischer RC4 Ct 175cm

[@simonorr594]

Love these videos - thank you! I coach ski racing, and this is very true - but may I ask why you have a narrow stance when carving?

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Thanks. You ever watched Dave Ryding race? Look at his stance

[@strathound]

Ok, another question ... who films you??!! Introduce us to your videographer. They do a great job, and deserve some love.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Depends. Most of the time it’s another instructor and I give them my camera gear and direct what to do. A good skier with modern camera gear is a great snow cameraperson. My wife does some filming too if it’s not too fast paced skiing.

[@strathound]

@@Bigpictureskiing - it's really nice. I'm a big fan of your channel, and I'm going to take a shot at doing some videos here in the states with a friend of mine of the US Ski Team. Would love to hear any tips you can share.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

@@strathoundthanks. I put my main lessons and tutorials on the big picture skiing website if you’re interested. Just snippets and a small portion on KZbin

[@strathound]

@@Bigpictureskiing - I'll check that out.

[@Skisouthcl]

hey man, great content! Where in Japan did you record this video? I've been trying to guess but can't find out where it is. thanks!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

It’s Goryu in Hakuba Valley

[@paigepennebacker2807]

Good tips. Do you have a ski recommendation for tight carving turns?

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Most slalom skis

[@fanrik9583]

First. I really hope this is going to be the key to getting out of my plateau. I work as an entry level ski instructor in the Austrians alps, and simply cannot seem to improve my carving. I use the carv soles + app, and have managed a 140 IQ once, but that was doing short turns. My carving turns are usually no more than 100-120 IQ. I know everything I'm supposed to be doing; starting the turn from the feet, falling into the turn, early edge angle, inclination before angulation, sustained edge angle increase, smooth pressure transition etc. But it's just really fucking hard to do all of them at once.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Give it a go and see if it helps tie in a lot of the hard work in skills you’ve already put in. Let me know

[@TheFreddy3344]

Sorry too busy looking up hill every turn lmao

[@brynliz]

Hi there, brilliant tip thank you, where is this? looks amazing 👍

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Its in Hakuba at a resort called Goryu

[@michaeldavis1291]

Hey Tom, I tried this today. I looked towards the direction of where my inside ski was heading , before this I used to look at what my outside ski was going over. I can report that my outside ski pressure on Carv went up to 70% effortlessly , whereas before it took me a lot of leg power to get my outside ski pressure above 60%. Clearly this is extremely good for fixing hips tilting the wrong way during the apex. My question though is if I should be doing this as a drill or if I should permanently incorporate looking towards the direction of my inside ski into my skiing? I ask because it did feel weird for me to not look what my outside ski was going over , because it used to help my brain know what I was balancing on (ice, mogul, crud, etc) whereas now without looking at the outside ski I don't get to see what I am balancing on in real time. In skiing at your level, do you ever look at what your outside ski is currently balancing on in the Apex? Thanks 🙏

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Make it integrated into your skiing even I know I need to work in it more.

[@dr.mariotorres-leon8869]

Hi there! What ski clothes brand are you wearing? Thanks!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

It’s a brand called Onyone from Japan

[@sorenwolff4954]

Where are Siamac? Does not look like Alpine to me!

[@dremanu]

Hi Tom: Could you tell us which mountain you're skiing on? Thank you!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Yes it’s Goryu in the Hakuba region

[@dremanu]

@@BigpictureskiingThank you for answering. Looks like an amazing place to ski. Cheers!

[@tvardalos]

🎯

[@sergegrattu5171]

????? Pour moi c’est précisément l’inverse quil faut faire pour la DISSOCIATION! Je me trompe??? Sinon on fait comme tous les blaireaux, on enroule les épaules. Non???

[@lldadb664]

I'm squarely intermediate with not even 20 days of skiing. My Winter Park instructor gave me this tip last week and it was a night and day improvement on my technique and control on steeper runs. And yes, you have to eat the chocolate yourself to experience it!

[@Bigpictureskiing]

That’s right get a taste for this and it’s a game changer

[@strathound]

Great video. Who makes the jacket and pants?

[@alyelo]

ONYONE skiwear

[@MB-nn3jw]

What Japanese ski resort is this?

[@Bigpictureskiing]

Goryu in Hakuba

[@stevehops2825]

Doesn't seem to work all the time in golf.

[@eirikkristine]

Totally wrong

[@dj_617]

Because…..

[@FG0HC]

I think also as you. Because turn the head will engage the shoulders before the feets.

[@Bigpictureskiing]

That’s what i try and do. I know you’ll hear the opposite. Why not try this and let it naturally happen and see what results you get.

[@eirikkristine]

Look into any slo-mo of the worlds best skiers like Marco Odermatt, Henrik Kristoffersen etc. The head and upperbody face down the slope and not the way you turn.@@Bigpictureskiing

[@oranmarcus3947]

Tom - great content. Thank you. Which pair of skis would you recommend for improving the carving skills ? I’m an advanced skier with low-intermediate carving skills

[@Bigpictureskiing]

I’d recommend something around the 13-15m radius mark and between 72-84mm underfoot. A ski shop can help with the length after you give them those parameters

[@oranmarcus3947]

@@Bigpictureskiing Thank you Tom 🙏🏻 Any recommendations on stiffness level ? I find the Carving skis like S9 / Race Tiger too stiff. Any models you’d recommend for an intermediate-advanced carving improver ?

[@brianferris1]

This may seem basic. But as a new skier, and intermediate mtber, I have know this is important but didn't know where to look skiing.