Balance & Edging Drills

Balance & Edging Drills

During this tutorial, we are going to be teaching you some balancing and edging drills.

(Narrating/Riding: Ahren Stein. Filming/Editing: Blake Dubler. Filmed At: Whistler Blackcomb)

Catch & Release

This is the best drill you can do to improve your edging skills and balance on your ski's:

  1. Find an intermediate slope, something not intimidating to you but steep enough to side slip down.
  2. Point your skis 90 degrees across the hill.
  3. Roll your knees slightly down the hill to make you start sliding.
  4. Roll your knees in the opposite direction to stop yourself from sliding.
Balance & Edging
Rolling Your Knees Uphill Will Stop Your Momentum

Try this in both directions a few times. This will show you how far you have to roll your knees for your edges to engage in the snow. 

Popping

Popping is a very important skill in park skiing. Start by making some medium radius turns. In between every turn, as you are travelling across the slope, practice your pop by doing a small jump.

Balance & Edging
You Want Your Tips And Tails To Leave The Snow At The Exact Same Time

Remember to keep your hands forward with you shins pressed into the tongue of your boots. 

Power Plough

This is a drill where you practice shifting your weight from one foot to the other. To do this, find a very low angled slope. What you want to do is have your whole body facing down the hill.

Balance & Edging
Keep Your Body Facing Downhill

Transfer your weight from one foot to the other. You will find yourself traveling left and right on the hill without actually turning your body in those directions. 

Javelin

This is one of the more advanced drills that works on balance and shifting your weight. Start with some medium radius turns. Keep 100% of your weight on the downhill ski while lifting the uphill ski and pointing it down the hill. Once you complete the turn, switch feet.

Balance & Edging
You'll Know You're Doing It Right If Your Legs Start To Burn

These are some quick and easy balance and edging drills that will improve your overall skiing. 

Jordan Harrington
Ski Addiction
Our Goal Is To Improve Your Skiing