Tips for Skiers & Snowboarders to Carve Like a Pro on Groomers
The thrill of the mountains entices skiers and boarders to flock to their slopes, have fun and improve their skills on the snow. As novice riders progress into intermediate territory, the most important skill to develop and dial in is carving. Developing this essential skill assists in improving overall on-snow technique and speed control in varying terrain. Mastering the art of carving allows you to make clean and efficient directional changes while conserving energy and getting where you want to go quickly and enjoyably.
Ready to tackle the next progression on snow? This guide will introduce carving techniques for skiers and boarders, provide intermediate carving tips and tricks, uncover the best gear for carving, and send you home with some ski workouts for strength and balance. Stuck at that intermediate plateau? Time to put in the work, find some confidence, and you’ll be blasting down the slopes grinning ear to ear in no time.
What is Carving?
Carving essentially means your skis or snowboard remains on edge throughout the entire turn. Staying on edge keeps you in line, cutting across the snow without sliding which creates a more controlled movement. Carving also relies much more on leaning your body rather than turning it. It’s a finely balanced movement taking into consideration three foundational elements.
Edge Engagement - This is where you angle your skis or board to cut into the snow.
Pressure Control - Applying the right amount of pressure to keep your equipment controlled.
Timing - A fine balance of the above two to create symmetrical movements and controlled transitions.
Developing these three elements requires some practice expanding several skills like stance, body position, edge control and balance, driving with the lower body, turn shape and overall athletic endurance. Development of the above can be done on snow and inside the gym.
On-Snow Development
Carving on skis and snowboards will be very different movements; however, the foundational similarities are enough to be described in one section.
Confidence
As a previous instructor, the most important thing in progressing is your mindset. Whether you believe you can or can’t, you are correct. Instilling confidence in yourself that you can learn and improve is huge. It’s something like 90% confidence and 10% skill.
Body Position
Start with an athletic position. Knees slightly bent and weight centred between the tip and tail of your skis or board. On skis, keep hips and shoulders facing downhill and limit rotation. On a snowboard, it’s the same stance however, you want your hips and shoulders to remain in line with your board.
Inclination and Angulation
Inclination is where you lean your body over to set the edge. Angulation is creating an angle between your upper and lower body during the carve. Aim for a quick inclination and a deep angulation by pushing your hips out in the opposite direction. This helps with setting an edge and staying balanced over your equipment.
Edge Control
On skis, train your knees to roll left and right to engage your edges. You can practice this on a cat track. Progress into traversing across a steeper slope while lifting up the inside ski. Finally, increase edge as you sweep through your turn for improved support as your speed picks up.
On a snowboard, practice standing on your heels and toes while traversing across a slope. You’ll feel a sudden edge grab and a change in your path. Just like skiers, this movement is what’s going to help set an edge and apply more precise control at higher speeds.
Lower Body Initiation
On skis, set the edge by rolling your knees and ankles. Drive the direction with your feet by pushing your shin into your boot while keeping your upper body relaxed. On a snowboard, simply lean your body over the edge you’re wanting to turn on. Limit any rotation in your knees or upper body.
Pressure and Control
For both disciplines, bend your knees into the turn and extend them as you move through the turn. This aids in controlling pressure and grip as speed increases in the second half of the carve trying to push you out of the carve.
Turn Shape and Speed Control
Aim for symmetrical carves on both sides to regulate speed. Larger carves maintain control yet pick up more speed. Shorter carves limit speed yet require much more edge engagement, balance and control. Practice counting out loud for each side to develop symmetrical carves.
Workouts to Support Training
Enhancing power, control and muscle endurance through gym training is the optimal way to increase your carving performance off snow. Ski and snowboard workouts for strength and balance are full body regimes based on power, balance and flexibility.
Exercises like squats, single leg deadlifts, leg press and box jumps strengthen your lower body. Add in planks (side planks too), Russian Twists, push-ups, pull-ups and overhead press. Finally, some balance work on half balls, balance boards train your body to balance on an edge.
These upper body exercises assist in core stability, power and overall strength which are crucial in performance and preventing early fatigue and overuse injuries.
Gear and Maintenance
Every ski and snowboard on the market has the ability to carve but they don’t all carve equally. If you’re looking at becoming a carving master or just want a dedicated carving setup for those hard-packed groomer days, the best gear for carving is below.
Carving Skis - These skis are usually less than 80mm underfoot, have a camber profile and stiffer flex rating. This allows faster edge to edge transition and maximum support at higher speeds.
Carving Snowboard - Just like skis, stiffer, directional snowboards with a traditional camber profile care what you’re after. Additionally, look for a board with a longer effective edge.
Taking care of your equipment ensures that your carving experience is pleasant and performance remains predictable. Regular TLC also keeps your gear in tip top shape aiding in its longevity year after year. There are a few easy steps you can learn yourself, or get a ski shop to manage to keep your gear ready to rip.
Edge Tuning - Essentially, this includes setting the appropriate bevel angle, removing burrs and sharpening the edges.
Hot Waxing - Waxing your equipment regularly keeps your base conditioned, protected and your gear moving fast in a variety of snow conditions.
Rest and Recovery
Another widely overlooked aspect of performing your best on snow is ample rest and recovery. Skiing and snowboarding are both very intense physical activities, and just like going to the gym, rest days are important. Both disciplines work your lower body muscles, and a good stretch, yoga, or foam rolling session after a day on the slopes is advised.
Focus on lengthening your hamstrings, stretching your quads, calves, hips, glutes and lower back. Feet feeling angry after being stuck in ski boots all day? Grab a tennis ball or lacrosse ball and roll your foot sole. Happy feet can lead to better body alignment and prevent impacting ankles, knees and lower back.
Hot tubs, saunas, and cold plunges are all additional aspects that can promote successful muscle and mind recovery. Did someone say spa day?
Where To Go
Fancy a little excursion to one of the best North American Resorts to work on your carving? Whistler Blackcomb is your destination for long, perfectly groomed slopes, a massive 1500 m (5000 ft) vertical, and a wide variety of ski runs. There’s also a vast amount of accommodations available to align with exactly what you’re looking for.
Check out The Hilton Whistler for a full-service hotel experience at this 4-Star property right at the base of the mountain. It also has a lovely spa to check out after long days on the slopes.
Property Amenities at The Hilton Whistler
- Walk to Lifts
- Outdoor Heated Pool, Fitness Centre, Sauna, and Spa
- Fire Pits
- Restaurant, Bar, Lounge, Room Service
If you prefer the quieter location of Creekside Village, Legends Ski Lodge is an iconic ski-in/ski-out location deeply connected with Whistler’s ski history. The condominium-style lodge overlooks the famous "Dave Murray" ski run, where the 2010 Winter Olympic Alpine events took place.
Property Amenities at Legends Ski Lodge
- Ski-in Ski-out, Walk to Lifts
- Ski Rental Shop, Ski and Bike Storage
- Outdoor Heated Pool, 2 Common Hot Tubs
- Restaurant
- Games Room, Media Room, and Children's Play Room
Originally from Northern Ontario, Anthony now calls Whistler, Canada, home. As an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for science and tourism writing, he chases excitement and communicates his experiences through his work. Anthony holds CASI 2 and CSIA 1 certifications. He has over eight years of teaching and coaching experience as a snowsports instructor and 20+ seasons of skiing and snowboarding under his belt.
When away from the office, Anthony spends much of his free time immersed in mountain culture. Skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking take up his free time, often complemented by sailing and the occasional backpacking adventure.
Photo Credits: Vail Resorts Whistler