How To Ski Powder

If you are not familiar skiing off piste or skiing in powder, you need to learn how to ski powder. If you are interested in learning how to ski powder, you will need the right gear and the right technique. Check out the following tips to learn how to ski powder:

In order to learn about how to ski powder, you will need the following:

• Ski goggles
• Ski poles
• Appropriate ski attire
• Emergency equipment (e.g. avalanche probe)
• A friend more experienced in skiing powder

1. Get the gear. First and foremost, you need to have skis that are compatible with a powder surface. These skis are usually longer and wider than your all-terrain skis. Powder-specific skis allow you to float on top of the powder.
2. Maintain your center of gravity. In order to maintain your center of gravity while skiing in powder, you need to have your feet approximately shoulder width apart. Maintaining your center of gravity while skiing on powder will also maximize your energy efficiency. Shift your weight from side to side only when you want to turn. Experts say to shift the gravity over your heels. You have the correct form if your toes touch the top of your boots.
3. Don't try to carve in powder. If you are used to all-mountain skiing, you might be tempted to carve down the mountain. This is not helpful when you are skiing in powder. Trying to carve will just increase your speed and/or cause you to fall.
4. Make wide turns. In order to control your speed when skiing in powder, you will need to make wider turns. You will want to lean into your turn in the direction you want to go (again, not like carving).
5. Take emergency equipment. If you are skiing off piste in powder, you need to make sure that you have an avalanche probe. Avalanches are a reality of backcountry skiing, especially in inclement weather conditions. It is not safe to go off piste by yourself, even if you are an advanced skier.