part 3: DOWNHILLS & TURNING

The Track Snowplow

The first experience in prepared tracks can leave the skier with a locked-in feeling. Tracks are prepared with grooves for skis, about two inches deep, to help them glide along without slipping sideways. While tracks are great on flats and gentle terrain, trying to slow down using the conventional snowplow or wedge can be difficult. But cut the wedge in half and you’ll find yourself slowing down and even turning around corners.

The Track Snowplow helps control speed in tracks

On double-tracked trails, always try to wedge between the two tracks. The terrain’s usually smooth there, while the outer edges are often narrower and bounded by deep snow banks that can interfere with the tail of the wedged ski.

Keep the knees flexed and arms forward. Transfer your weight to the track ski, then lift up the tail of the other ski (33a) and set it out into a wedge position (33b). Pressure the heel to slide the tail out and roll in the ankle to edge. To get used to this feeling, glide down a slight hill, keep most of your weight over the in-track ski and let the wedged ski's tail float over the snow. To slow down, keep the knees flexed and move your hips over to the foot above wedged ski (33c-d).

For downhills with turns at the bottom, get in position before you descend. It’s easier to set out the wedged ski while your still gliding slowly. If the turn veers left, step out and weight your outside (right) ski. Pressure your wedge ski throughout the corner until the track straightens out.

We've talked only of tracked trails but you’ll find that the same movements will work equally well for slowing and turning on packed downhill slopes.