How to get perfect turn control in Niseko powder.

Controlling your speed through turn radius is something we all desire to achieve. What a great skill if you could do this for every single turn on a steep powder run.

Your turn radius will greatly depend on how much you rotate your skis during the initiation phase, and this is determined by how much you rotate your feet during the pressure release (aka unweighting).

This is a skill that has somewhat diminished with the new genre of carve skis, but still remains a vital skill for all round skiing, especially short turns.

I have always said that the more energy you put into the start of the turn, the easier the completion will be.

To set yourself up for perfect turn control, you need a strong initiation which includes a well timed pole plant and your eyes and upper body focused on where you want your skis to travel.
Next you need to visualise the skis travel path, try skiing down a medium pitch slope and visualise where you want your ski tips to go.
I always picture my tips tracking a nice round arc through the powder snow, coming out of the snow and then diving back in and being whipped around.
This image perfectly demonstrates Christie Dowling focusing in on the path she wants her skis to track while maintaining excellent upper and lower body separation.

This is great example of where turn completion and preparation are at one.
One thing I have seen quite regularly in Niseko, which really spoils the silhouette, is the lack of commitment with pole planting in powder. The swing is there but no plant into the snow, it makes the turn look incomplete and you loose that extra drive into the next turn.

From this, there are three key things to remember:

1. Good preparation = pole plant and upper body focus
2. Strong foot rotation during pressure release
3. Visualise the desired path you want your tips to take