Shift Your Weight to the New Outside Ski to Start the Turn

What This Cue Means

When you’re working on basic parallel turns, one of the most important movements is shifting your weight from the old outside ski to the new outside ski. Let’s break down what that means and why it matters.

In a parallel turn, the outside ski is the one on the outside of the turn’s arc—it’s the ski that carries most of your weight and does the heavy lifting. When you finish a turn, your weight is mostly on the old outside ski. To start the next turn, you need to transfer that weight smoothly to the other ski, which becomes the new outside ski. This shift is what initiates the new turn and helps you maintain balance and control throughout.

When to Use It

Think of it as a subtle but deliberate move. As you finish your turn, you feel your weight moving across your feet, settling more on the ski that will guide you through the next arc. When done right, this feels natural—your body leans slightly toward the new outside ski, and you sense the edges biting into the snow, allowing you to carve cleanly.

If you don’t shift your weight properly, you might find yourself leaning back or staying too centered, which can cause skidding or loss of control. Some skiers hang onto the old outside ski too long, making the transition jerky and unstable. The key is to time the weight transfer so it happens smoothly as you finish one turn and start the next.

How to Practice

Try to focus on this weight shift as a movement cue during your runs. It’s a practical way to connect your body’s balance with the skis’ edges. For more on parallel turns, check out the basic parallel turns page. You might also find it helpful to explore related cues like “Engage your edges early” and “Keep your knees flexed and forward” to support this movement.

Remember, this weight shift is a foundational step that helps you ski with more confidence and flow. Turn Lab highlights this cue because it’s a simple adjustment that makes a noticeable difference in your turning technique.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is shifting weight to the new outside ski important?

It allows you to engage the edges of the new outside ski, which provides the grip and control needed to carve the turn smoothly.

When exactly should I shift my weight during the turn?

Shift your weight at the start of the turn, right after you finish the previous one, to set up your new outside ski for the next arc.

What happens if I don’t shift my weight properly?

You might lose balance, have less control, or end up skidding instead of carving, making turns feel unstable or awkward.