Carving or sliding

On groomed slopes, carving is the goal to be achieved. But off-piste, horizons expand: carving and sliding become two sides of the same coin, the harmony of opposites in different situations.

In the various types of untracked snow, it is unthinkable to always ski the same way. For example, thinking of carving on wind-packed or crusty snow means risking a fall at every turn. The mountain teaches adaptability: it is not correct to be rigid in mind and body, always insisting on the same method. The solution suitable for one circumstance may not be appropriate in a different situation. The MC practically aims to teach in a targeted manner the ability to adapt to the mountain’s demands and thus change skiing in accordance with the changing characteristics of the snow.

To ski comprehensively, two aspects must be coordinated: your body and the skis.

The movement of the body-ski system can therefore be determined by an action from top to bottom, i.e., from the body to the skis, or from bottom to top, i.e., from the feet and skis to the body. Currently, on the piste, the movement of the feet is used to guide the skis and consequently the body, hence from bottom to top. In the Method, one begins by learning to primarily use the shift of body weight, then including the former, i.e., the movement of the feet. It is thus a method that, through a system of techniques, addresses all the components that determine movement in general. The main goal is to achieve greater adaptability.

So what are the motor elements that allow mastering body weight management to control the skis? What are the components of movement on skis?

• 3 weight positions in the longitudinal direction: forward-center-back
• 3 positions in the lateral direction: right-center on both skis-left
• 3 types of body stances: crossover-central (aligned)-stride
• The ability to open or bring the skis together depending on the type of snow
• Isolation of pelvis and torso, i.e., the ability to separate the movement of the center of gravity from the rest of the body

The ability to know and coordinate these components allows having the overall vision necessary to ski well in all circumstances.

Comparing these points with those related to climbing, it becomes evident that they are exactly the same aspects. Managing weight right-left and forward-back, movement pattern of the limbs stride-crossover. The isolation of the center of gravity is the ingredient that completes the mosaic.