You’re watching in awe every time someone executes a perfect carving turn on the slopes next to you? Well, why not try it yourself?
If you think the carving technique is only something for the pros, you’re wrong. With a bit of practice and a few tips and tricks (like those coming up in this article), everyone can master this popular skiing technique.
Together with the ski experts of Rossignol, we have drawn up some dos and don’ts for learning how to carve. And who knows: Next time it might be you who will leave your fellow skiers staring in awe.
Let’s start at the beginning: Simply put, carving means to move back and forth across the slope in parallel, S-shaped tracks. This movement is generated by the edges of your skis cutting into the snow in a slight arc. The skis follow the edges, letting you complete a turn. Carving turns are quite similar to parallel turns, except for the fact that your skis don’t slide sideways.
Compared to other techniques, carving is extremely efficient and versatile because …
By the way: The curved path of your ski edges will determine how big or small your turn will be. However, the radius stated on your carving skis plays an important role as your skis will generally stay closer to this radius. This means that slalom skis are better for smaller turns, while giant slalom or super-g skis are recommended for bigger turns.
Our top picks: If you’re looking for good-quality beginner carving skis, we recommend Rossignol’s Nova 6 (Xpress) for women and React R6 Compact (Xpress) for men. More advanced skiers will love the React 10 Ti (Konect) for men or the Nova 14 Ti (Konect) for women.
Carving ski turns are possible in most conditions, but keep in mind the following:
Come prepared: The sharper the edges of your skis, the easier they will dig into the snow! That’s why you should make sure to sharpen your ski edges before your first attempts at carving – or, even easier, have them serviced by the experts at INTERSPORT Rent!
Learning how to carve is not rocket science. However, it takes a bit of effort and practice to get it right. To get started, keep in mind the following:
Do …
Don’t …
Are you ready to take on your first carved turns? Or are you already an expert carver, swooshing down the mountain in perfect railroad tracks? Either way, you will need the right equipment to make the most of your day in the snow.
At INTERSPORT Rent, you can find a large selection of carving skis by leading brands for rent at a great price. Our RENTertainers on site will support you in finding the best products for your needs – whether you’re a carving newbie or a seasoned expert. On top, we also have first-rate accessories and ski clothing to go with your new rental carvers – just drop in!