5 mistakes holding you back in powder skiing (and how to fix them)
Votes:
Skiing powder is the ultimate feeling of freedom on the slopes — the effortless float, the weightless turns, the pure joy of untouched snow. It’s what every skier dreams of, what we wait all season for.
But when the moment finally arrives, it doesn’t always go as planned. Instead of gliding, you’re sinking. Instead of smooth arcs, you’re fighting for balance. Maybe your skis dive, your legs burn out too soon, or your setup just isn’t dialed in to make the most of the day.
Just skiing more won’t magically fix it. Powder demands a different approach — a blend of technique, balance, and the right gear. If you’re stuck in survival mode instead of floating effortlessly, it’s not just bad luck; it’s fixable. The key is skiing smarter.
In this guide, we’ll break down what’s holding you back and the drills you need to unlock the best powder turns of your life — so next time it’s deep, you can drop in with confidence and make the most of every turn.
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1. Wrong Equipment
A good skier can ski on anything, right? No matter the equipment, you can send it on any terrain in any condition… Wrong.
That’s certainly not the case when it comes to powder skiing. Powder is a whole different game — one that demands the right technique and the right gear to unlock your full potential.
The average "one or two times a year" skier might reach for their trusty race skis or piste skis when they see fresh snow, but not all skis are created equal — especially in deep powder. Piste skis, for example, are often mounted towards the back, which might suggest a more floaty ride. But their narrow width causes them to sink, forcing skiers into the dreaded backseat just to stay afloat. All-mountain skis? A jack-of-all-trades but master of none — decent on the slopes, passable in powder, but far from ideal for deep days.
Then you have the top tier—the Rolls-Royce of powder skiing: the directional backcountry ski. With a well-balanced back-set mounting position and a wide platform, these skis keep you floating while still allowing you to apply forward pressure. The result? A smoother, more effortless ride that lets you truly enjoy the magic of skiing deep snow.
The takeaway? Powder skiing isn’t just about skill — it’s about having the right tool for the job.
2. Piste Technique Matters
Remember when you were a beginner skier — ah, those were the days!
Now, think about your technique after just a couple of days on the slopes. Imagine standing at the top of a black run on day two, expected to ski down with style, effortlessly fooling the skiers on the chairlift into thinking you were a seasoned pro. Sounds ridiculous, right? You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs!
Mistakes are part of the process. You need to fall, learn, and refine before you can throw yourself into the deep stuff. That’s why we start on the piste. Carving on groomers with your freeride skis and carving in powder share a lot in common — the fundamentals don’t change. Rolling your feet, knees, and hips in sync with your skis is key to both.
So before you drop into that untouched powder field, let’s master carving where it counts first!
Drill: Keep Hips Stable
We're going to repeat this movement until it becomes second nature — keeping your hips super stable!
The goal is to keep your hips facing down the slope, but not necessarily perfectly straight. A 45° angle away from the fall line is ideal. From there, focus on using your ankles and femur muscles to initiate and control your short turns.
To really dial it in, place your hands on your hips to feel their positioning. Once you're comfortable, add a pole plant into the mix. Nail this, and you'll have a solid foundation to build on.
Carv user?
If you’re already using Carv, great! There are a few key metrics you can refine on groomers that will set you up for success when the powder days roll in.
Edge Similarity
Carv measures how well you tilt both skis onto their edges in unison — a fundamental skill for controlled, efficient turns. When both skis carve together, their arcs match, creating better balance, stability, and control — all of which are crucial in powder to maintain flow and avoid unnecessary resistance.
Turn Shape
Turn control is essential in all types of skiing, but it becomes even more important when the snow gets deep. Powder slows you down, so you need to adapt your turn shape accordingly. Instead of aggressively finishing your turns like you would on a groomer, powder skiing requires staying in the fall line longer and making smoother, more open turns. Dialing this in on groomers will give you the control needed when the snow gets deep.
Transition Weight Release
This metric tracks how much weight you release between turns — something that’s key for fluidity in all terrains. Releasing weight properly aligns your body with the forces acting on your skis, making transitions smoother and more balanced. In powder, this skill becomes even more critical, helping you maintain rhythm and flow instead of getting stuck between turns.
Head to the coaching tab to get drills and tips to help you improve these skills. Master these fundamentals on groomers, and when the deep snow arrives, you’ll be ready to ski with confidence, control, and effortless style.
Back seated skiing!
We’re not here to make life harder — we want to glide through the powder with ease. But if there’s one mistake that makes powder skiing a struggle, it’s sitting in the back seat.
Leaning too far back zaps your energy, makes turning more difficult, and throws off your balance. Many skiers fall into this habit because they’ve been told to "lean back" in deep snow. But in reality, that advice often does more harm than good.
Powder skiing requires a different approach to balance than skiing on groomers — and that’s where most people trip up. Instead of aggressive weight shifts like you’d use on hardpack, powder skiing demands subtle, controlled movements to stay centered and in control.
Take a look at the Carv’s fore-aft acceleration data below. Carv measures acceleration along the ski, which provides insights into fore-aft movement.
The graphs compare acceleration patterns for two expert skiers: one on groomers and one in powder. The data makes the difference clear:
On groomers, sharp weight shifts create high acceleration peaks, reflecting the forceful edge engagement needed for carving.
In powder, the acceleration patterns are smoother and more even, showing the gentle, continuous adjustments required to maintain balance.
The key takeaway? You don’t need to lean back — you need to stay centered. This keeps your tips floating without dragging your tails, making turns effortless rather than a fight for survival.
Want to make deep snow feel effortless? Ditch the back seat and find your center!
Drill:
Find a quiet spot where you can focus on technique. Keep your feet closer together than usual and picture your skis as a springboard.
The key is to bring your hips forward and up, allowing your skis to rise out of the snow. Getting comfortable with this up-and-down movement is essential—it makes it much easier to initiate turns in deep snow.
Think of it as building a rhythm — this bouncing motion will naturally springboard you into each turn, helping you stay light, fluid, and in control.
4. Relax! You're too rigid!
Remember, this is supposed to be fun. When you tense up, every muscle in your body tightens, and the essential elements of rhythm and flow disappear. Not only does it feel awkward, but it also disrupts the natural fluidity of your turns—the best part of powder skiing.
Drill: Add Rotation to the Springboard
Now that you've practiced the springboard motion, it's time to take it to the next level. As you float on top of the snowpack during the transition, start gently rotating your skis to guide your turns.
This drill isn’t just fun — it builds the agility and flow needed for dynamic powder skiing. Feel the bounce, and start making small, quick directional changes between each movement. It’s a subtle adjustment, but when done right, it’s oh-so smooth.
5. You're skiing too slow...
The irony of what we are about to say isn’t lost on us, but a contributing factor to why you may be going slow is because the terrain you're choosing is too flat?
The best slopes for powder skiing are also the ones that come with avalanche risk. The steeper the slope, the better the ride — to a point. Ideally, you’re looking for 30-40° terrain, where you can lay down proper powder turns and link them into a sick, flowing line.
That said, safety always comes first. Be aware and alert, check avalanche conditions, and stick to marked freeride zones while you’re building your knowledge of snow types, mountain safety, and risk management.
As a general rule, flatter slopes require bigger turns to maintain momentum. But here’s a trick — when you drop in, count to three before making your first turn. This gives you just enough time to build speed and flow, making that first turn feel effortless instead of forced.
Drill: Banana Turns
Ditch those "C"-shaped turns — they’re abrupt speed killers. Instead, aim for banana-shaped turns that keep your momentum flowing and your turns connected.
To make it work, give yourself space in your line choice. It’s just like surfing — you don’t force the wave, you feel its energy and let it carry you. Powder skiing is the same. Let the downhill momentum build, find your rhythm, and suddenly, your turns will be so effortless and smooth that you’ll float your way straight to après!
Carv user?
Review your groomer segments and check the Rotary tab for your turn shape. Are your turns closed off and C-shaped? Now, compare it to your powder run data—do your turns look more elongated?
The turn shape visualization offers valuable insight into how your technique adapts across different terrain, helping you refine your movements for smoother, more efficient turns.
Join Us for for a Ski Camp or Introduction to Freeride Camp (Use: CARV to save 100€)
If you're ready to take your powder skiing skills to the next level, why not join us for one of our epic Stomp It Camp? Our level 4 expert instructors will provide personalised coaching to help you conquer the slopes or powder like never before. Plus, as a special treat for our readers, use the discount code: CARV to save €100CHF when you sign up.
Happy Skiing,
Jens Nyström | Stomp It Camps
Written by: Stomp It Tutorials
Ski technique and freestyle camps
Stomp It Tutorials lead in-person technique camps in Zermatt and Laax, Switzerland, where they combine Carv's objective analysis with in-person coaching to push your skiing technique to the next level.