5 reasons you’re NOT carving on skis

We all want that moment — when the skiers on the chairlift above look down and think, Whoa, that skier must be sponsored. The secret to that effortless style and control? Carving. But getting there isn't a quick fix.

Trial and error, chasing better skiers, or just putting in more days on the mountain doesn’t guarantee progress. In fact, it often leads to the same frustrating mistakes — like unnecessary hip movements (this ain't salsa) or jumping into steep slopes without mastering inside foot positioning.

Carving is a game-changer. It’s what separates smooth, controlled skiers from those just fighting their way down the mountain. But getting it right isn’t about just skiing more — it’s about skiing smarter.

In this guide, we’ll break down the five key reasons why you’re not carving cleanly and give you the drills and knowledge you need to unlock that next level of confidence, precision, and flow.

1. You are aiming for too sharp a turn

Skiers often decide for themselves what line they want their skis to follow, forcing their skis into a sharp turn too early — before their technique allows it — can cause problems. This approach may work for skidded turns, but not for carving.

When carving, the ski’s edge angle naturally determines the turn’s path and radius, leaving clean tracks in the snow.

To transition from skidded turns to railroad track carving turns, focus instead on smooth transitions and let the skis glide along their edges, looking much further down the slope and letting the edge angle decide the path the skis will take. By rushing into sharp turns, you're not giving your skis the time they need to properly carve.

Drill: J-Turn & Link Carved Turn

The J-Turn teaches patience — you’re a passenger, along for the ride. Initiate the turn by gently tipping the skis on edge, letting them carve naturally, heading across the slope and almost in a semi-circle to complete a “J” shape. Make sure you have plenty of space and practice on a quiet slope, following the natural curved path of the ski.

2. You Are Skiing on Too Steep Slopes

We’ve all been there — your friends are eager to tackle the steepest run on the mountain, and you tag along, even though you know you’ll feel like Bambi on ice. But trying to carve on overly steep terrain before you're ready makes it much harder to maintain control and proper edge angles.

Carv’s data on skiers across different slopes confirms this — showing exactly why carving on reds and blacks too soon can be a challenge. Below is a graph showing vertical G-force data from an advanced skier on two different pitches. On the steeper terrain, the peaks and troughs of the G-force readings are much more pronounced, indicating significantly higher forces at play.

This means more pressure traveling down through the skier’s boot and a stronger reactionary force pushing them back up. These forces create a more dynamic transition phase in a ski turn, where the skier effectively uses retraction and rebound during the crossover. Mastering these skills takes time, and they’re essential for maintaining controlled carving turns on steep pitches.

Instead of struggling down a run that’s beyond your skill level, tell your friends you’ll catch them later and take a gentler slope. You’ll build confidence, refine your technique, and set yourself up for stronger carving when you’re ready for steeper terrain.

Drill: C-Shaped Turns

Practice making wider, controlled C-shaped turns on more moderate terrain to build confidence before moving to steeper slopes. Take up space, link those turns, and hold on a bit longer in each turn so you ski more across the slope, enjoying the ride!

Carv tip

If you’re already using Carv, the Turn Shape metric is a great way to track your progress. As you move from parallel skiing to carving, you'll see your score improve — shifting from abrupt, Z-shaped turns to smooth, C-shaped curves, which are essential for controlled carving on steeper terrain.

Rounded turns create a more gradual change in acceleration, which reduces the forces you experience making them easier to manage, helping to keep you stable and balanced.

Top tip: Use the turn shape visualizations to assess where you’re at and get your baseline, then head to the coaching tab for drills to help you advance even further.

3. You Ski with Low Edge Angles

Carving requires creating higher edge angles to grip the snow effectively. Low edge angles will have you slipping and sliding all over the place, skidding more than anything else. It doesn’t look great, and it doesn’t feel good — it feels scrappy.

Drill: "Ride the Training Wheels"

To achieve steeper angles, focus on softening the inside leg during turns to allow the body to tilt into the turn which helps to tilt the skis more on edge and carve clean. You can even begin to actively lift the inside leg — while consistently maintaining contact with the snow, of course — which creates power and a smooth transition in weight distribution in the turn.

Carv Tip:

If you already have Carv, switch to Edge Angle Monitor while you ski — you’ll get a score read-out on every turn. The real-time feedback helps you adjust on the go and get to know what good actually feels like.

Try the drill with the monitor on — does your score improve?

4. Inside Foot Doing Its Own Thing

Many skiers neglect the inside foot's role, leading to unbalanced and ineffective turns. You concentrate so hard on the outside foot leading the way that you end up with a floppy mess of an inside leg that couldn’t follow through on a turn even if it was paid to. Both feet need to work in unison for smooth, strong carving turns. The outside ski is still the boss, but that inside ski has to listen, and both edge and point in the same direction!

Drill: Stationary Carving & Rail Roads

Stationary carving helps you understand how both feet must work together, while the Railroads drill reinforces synchronized edging. Start on a nice, flat area on the piste and practice rolling your feet from side to side in unison. Look down to check that both skis have the same edge angle, then shift your focus downhill.

5. Unnecessary Movements

Extra, unnecessary movements during skiing can disrupt balance and reduce carving efficiency. Are you pole planting before you're ready? Are you initiating the turn with your arms, chest, or shoulders? Are you wiggling your hips around like you're trying to seduce a mate at après ski? All of these unnecessary movements stop you from progressing in carving. As a beginner, all you need to do is roll your feet and knees and let the skis do their job.

Drill: Posture Reset

Practice finding a balanced posture during the transition phase of the turn — when your skis are flat between turns. This ensures you stay aligned and avoid unnecessary upper-body movement. No twisting, no skidding, no excess motion. Stay present and mindful of your carving. You can do a mini-reset between each turn — don’t rush into the next movement. Instead, make sure you’re in proper alignment before initiating the next turn.

Carving is one of the most rewarding techniques in skiing, giving you greater control, speed, and confidence on the slopes. By understanding and correcting the common mistakes we’ve covered — and committing to these drills — you’ll soon be making smooth, flowing turns with ease. Whether it’s refining your posture or improving your edge angles, take your time and enjoy the process. And remember, the more you practice, the more natural carving will feel. Keep at it, and soon you’ll be carving like a pro!

Join Us for More Skiing Adventures:

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