Carving technique

In simple terms, carving means moving down the slopes in parallel, S-shaped turns. This curved movement is created by the edges of the skis cutting into the snow in a slight arc. Carving turns are very similar to parallel turns, except that the skis do not drift sideways, slowing you down in the turn.

Compared to other types of skiing, carving is extremely efficient and versatile because ...

• ... you feel almost no resistance from the snow.
• ... you don't have to expend much energy.
• ... you get the most reaction force from the snow.
• ... it's the fastest way down the mountain.

Choosing the right carving skis is crucial for your skiing experience on the slopes. A key factor here is the waist of the edge – the difference in width between the tip, waist and tail of the ski. This determines how big or small the turn will be.

The radius specified on the carving skis also plays an important role, as the cornering performance of your skis will generally be in the range of this radius. This means that slalom skis are better suited for smaller turns, while giant slalom or super-G skis are recommended for larger turns.

For beginners to the carving technique, we recommend skis with a medium waist and medium radius. These will also forgive technical inaccuracies and provide confidence when learning. Our top picks for learning to carve are:

• Rossignol Nova 6 (Xpress) for women
• Rossignol Forza 20D V-FG 1080 (Xpress) for men

Advanced skiers who can already carve will benefit from a more direct carving ski with more power:

• Rossignol Nova 14 Ti (Konect) for women
• Rossignol Forza 50D V-CAM (Konect) for men

Choosing the right model should depend primarily on your skiing ability and preferred turning radius. To find the right carving ski, use the rental option at INTERSPORT Rent and test the different models!

Skiing using the carving technique is possible in most slope conditions. However, you should bear the following in mind:

• The snow must be soft enough for the edges to have sufficient grip, but also hard enough to withstand the centrifugal forces.
• In icy conditions, the edge may cut into the snow poorly.
• Wide and not too steep slopes are best suited.

The sharper the edges of your skis are, the easier they cut into the snow! That's why it is essential to sharpen the edges of your skis the before your first attempts at carving - or even easier: visit the experts at one of the more than 800 INTERSPORT Rent shops worldwide for a ski service!

• Skis: shoulder width apart and parallel to each other
• Shins: forward, slightly pressed into the boots
• Knees: slightly bent
• Arms: slightly bent and pointing forward
• Upper body: upright and facing forward
• Shoulders: pointing towards the skis
• Weight: centred on the outer ski (bottom ski)

• The best place to start carving is on an easy, groomed slope. It should be steep enough for you to build up enough momentum, but flat enough so that you don't go too fast when skiing straight ahead.
• Stand comfortably, build up some speed and take your first turn (in this case a left turn).
• Start by pushing your ankles slightly to the left (tipping the skis to the left).
• Then bend your knees and lean slightly to the left.
• Bending your knees keeps the edges from slipping!
• Move your hips towards the middle of the bend.
• Tilt your upper body slightly into the bend - without turning it.
• Follow the curved path that the edges of your skis make when they touch the snow.

• When you are perpendicular to the fall line, straighten your legs.
• Pull your knees back under you.
• Using your ankles, bring the skis to a flat position and briefly return to the starting position.
• Keep your upper body slightly to the right of the centre of the bend and swing your bent knees outwards to bring the edges to the right side.
• Complete the swing by straightening your legs and pulling your knees back to the centre.

The art of carving lies in the perfect combination of posture, movement and the right feel for the ski. Unlike classic skiing, you use the waist of the ski to make clean turns – without slipping. With the right skiing style, every run becomes a unique skiing experience.

• Keep your knees bent while your skis are on the edge.
• Hold your arms slightly forward.
• Keep your upper body as straight as possible – chest and shoulders towards the slope.
• Extend your legs when the skis are flat on the snow.
• When turning, shift the centre of gravity to the outside ski.
• Put pressure on the front of your feet and skis.
• Shift your weight slightly forward throughout the turn

• Lean back too far.
• At the end of the turn, use your upper body to follow the direction of the skis.
• Lift the inside ski off the snow, even if it is not loaded.
• Try to turn the ski.
• Speed up the turns.
• Try to carve in every situation – sometimes this is not the most efficient way to ski (e.g. on moguls or technical steep slopes).

Mastering the carving technique requires patience and consistent practice. It is best to start on wide, well-prepared slopes with a medium gradient. Concentrate on mastering the basic movements before attempting steeper slopes or higher speeds. With increasing practice, your skiing style will become more refined and you will be able to take advantage of the unique benefits of carving.

Correct carving takes some practice but can be learnt easily with the right approach. The key is to take it step by step: Start on easy, wide slopes and concentrate first on the basic position – upper body upright, knees slightly bent and weight shifted slightly forward. As you become more confident, you can increase your speed and reduce the radii of your turns. It is important to practise regularly and to have the support of a ski instructor at the beginning

With the carving technique, the main focus is on the outer ski, which carries about 70-80% of the load. However, the inner ski always remains in contact with the snow and takes on the rest of the load. This ensures optimal balance and control during turns. The load is shifted dynamically: At the beginning of the turn, the new outer ski is increasingly loaded, while the maximum pressure is on the outer ski when the turn is out of the way. It is important that the pressure is always directed slightly forward in order to optimise ski control.

Yes, modern carving skis are definitely suitable for beginners – provided you choose the right model. They should help you learn the basics, but also allow you to make classic turns. It is important that the ski is not too stiff in the flexion and has a moderate waist so that the first carving experiences can be made in a relaxed manner.

The optimal length of your carving skis depends on several factors:

• Body size: For beginners the ski should reach around the height of the chin, for advanced skiers the ski can reach to the tip of the nose or even higher.
• Skiing ability: The better your skiing style, the longer the ski can be.
• Weight: Heavier skiers tend to need longer skis for optimum stability.
• Range of use: Shorter skis are better for short, sporty turns, while longer models are better for long carving turns.

A rough rule of thumb: As a beginner, take a ski that reaches up to your chin and add about 5-10 cm as your ability increases. Please note that this rule is only an initial guide – you should always test the ski before you buy to find the perfect length for your skiing style. Our experts at INTERSPORT Rent will be happy to advise you!