Forward Movement

H. Kristoffersen/ Image by M. Pozza/Alamy

Overview: Movement 3: Move forward by using your back and abdominal muscles to move your core and chest over your feet and down the hill. Feel pressure build against your outside ski. The extent and direction of forward movement will vary depending on the shape of the turn.

This description is the third of seven modules included in the Ski Technique module, describing how elite skiers and racers carve turns.

Forward Movement

1. After the pole plant or touch, leave the outside arm and shoulder in its forward position.
2. The Forward Movement starts when the new outside ankle flexes to start the new turn. Use your back and abdominal muscles to move your core and chest over your feet and down the hill. Feel pressure build against your outside ski.
3. This action will increase edge angle.

Watch Henrik Kristoffersen of the Norwegian Ski Team, with a good Athletic Stance, move his core forward while stacking his outside leg in the following video.

Video produced by Filip Chwistek

The shoulders and head should normally be no more than just ahead of the binding of the outside ski at the apex of the turn. Too much forward action with the arms will cause the pelvis to move backwards putting pressure on the tail of the skis.

Henrik Kristoffersen positions his shoulders just ahead of the binding of his outside ski.

H. Kristoffersen/ Image by M. Pozza/Alamy/Graphics by ARM

Watch the FIRST MINUTE of this VIDEO for an analysis of the forward movement.

Video produced by Gilmore Gardens N.H.

The Forward Movement progresses until the body returns to the Athletic Stance ready to start the next turn.

Graphics depicting the physical movements for moving forward.

Image by Ron LeMaster/Graphics by ARM

The “Get Over It” drill helps develop the forward movement. Mikaela Shiffrin provides her commentary of this drill in this video.

The “Get Over It” Drill

Forward Movement for Slalom, Giant Slalom and Speed Disciplines

1. Slalom: In short radius turns the goal is to move your core down the fall line.
2. Giant Slalom: The body should move towards the fall line and continue moving forward until the body faces towards the direction of the next turn.
3. Speed: The upper body tilts forward at the waist when using a high or low tuck stance.

Video of World Cup Skiers

Watch World Cup skiers move forward during the transition between turns rather than their bodies popping up. The body actions starts early in the transition and finishes with a pole plant or touch.

Video produced by TriggerBoy62

Key Takeaways

1. To move forward, engage your back and abdominal muscles to move your core and chest over your feet and down the hill, while building pressure against the outside ski. This action begins as the outside ankle flexes to initiate the new turn. The degree of forward movement may increase with higher speeds and tighter arcing turns. Moving forward will increase the edge angle of the outside ski.
2. Excessive forward arm action can cause the pelvis to move backward applying pressure to the back of the skis. The goal is to have the shoulders and head just slightly ahead of the binding of the outside ski at the apex of the turn.
3. The Forward Movement should continue until your body returns to the Athletic Stance, preparing you for the start of the next turn.

Suggested Learning Modules

Go to Ski Technique 4. Roll the Inside Leg

Return to Ski Technique

To gain a deeper understanding of the muscle groups comprising the human core; Click here.

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Important Note: Skiing and ski racing come with inherent risks. As such, it is imperative to ski responsibly and remain within the boundaries of your skill level and personal comfort zone.