Instructions: Parallel Turn

Parallel turns are not just an efficient way to ski, these are also very graceful.  It is associated with graceful yet precise, powerful yet relaxed skiing movements.

The parallel turn is attributed to Toni Seelos, an Australian who developed it during the 1930s.  The basic parallel turn has been gradually enriched and developed, so that you can see this as one of the techniques most used during skiing events.  This kind of turning is all about putting pressure on the outer edge of the ski by tipping the outside part of the ski at an angle.  The result is the ski’s outer edges are off the surface while the skis remain at a parallel position.  This works well for hard snow, but if the surface of the snow is softer, you may need to have an equal distribution of your weight to be able to turn.

One the skier is turning, he should keep his weight centered at the fore and aft.  The skier’s center of gravity is positioned over the toes.  The ankles, hips and knees should remain bent, while the arms are above the waist, positioned slightly apart. As the skier nears the completion of the turn, the weight is slowly shifter to the heels.

The stiffer the ski, there is more power that can be derived from the turn.  You are able to have greater acceleration as you approach the end of the turn.  When one is able to perfect the parallel turn, there should be no skidding.

“Okay, so how can I do a parallel turn?” you may ask.  The first thing you should do is to turn your torso to the direction of the fall line.  That is, if you want to turn to the right, what you have to do is to twist your hips to the right.  As you do this, you should be able to keep an almost even distribution of your body weight on not just one of the skis, but on both skis.  The skis should be parallel to each other and your weight at right angles vis-à-vis the slope.  Essentially, you don’t lift one ski and then the other ski.  You are more likely to fall doing it this way.   Also, you should refrain from “inclining” or having your legs and torso at the same angle, with the body leaning into the snow.

Parallel skiing enables you to harness the power of gravity.  You do not have to apply so much energy to turning.  If you do it right, all you need to control would be steering and stopping.

When doing parallel turns, be sure to avoid doing the following:
-    Having too much distance between the skis: If your skis are too far apart from each other, you may be able to do the parallel turn, but you may get other problems when it comes to control and balance.
-    Being impatient: When you lean and you do not immediately do a turn, the tendency is that stop leaning, or you do not lean hard enough on the outside ski.  As much as possible, maintain the right position especially at the end of the turn.  There is also a tendency to hesitate at the time when you are changing edges.  Do this decisively and cleanly.
-    Losing balance on the middle of the skis: Your body’s weight should stay at the center of the skis in order to make a proper parallel turn.