Carving is the heart and soul of skiing. Sorry bumpers.

Most skiers can remember the first time they were able to roll, or tilt their skis on edge and arc a turn. The feeling is distinct from sliding. When you slide, you slip, and skid over the snow.

While you skid, your skis are sideways. They kick up snow because instead of perpendicular to the snow they are at a lower angle. They act as a kind of snow plow. 

Carving is different. When you carve, your ski is are on edge. A perfect technically carved turn has your ski at close to ninety degrees. That places your ski’s metal edge Carving involves moving from one ski edge to the next. The ability to arc, from one turn to the next is pure magic.

Perhaps no one demonstrates this better than Ted Liggety.

Carving Technique

A ski is manufactured to carve. Its sidecut, metal edges, stiffness, base, and profile are created to allow a ski to carve. Every ski made is optimized based on a ski in carving position.

Note: There are a few exceptions. Powder skis are designed to float and turn on very soft, almost water like surfaces. This terrain demands a slightly different approach.

Learn To Carve

We’re big fans of Harold Harb camps. You need to book early.

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