The “carving” revolution in the world of skiing was so profound that even today, more than 30 years later, we’re still talking about it. Alpine skiing underwent this revolution in the mid-90s with the introduction of carving skis. Suddenly, we were able to make tighter turns with greater precision and less effort. “Carving” can be translated as “cutting” a curve, meaning a precise curvilinear turn without skidding.
The Carving Revolution
In reality, carving began thanks to snowboarding. Snowboarders use hard boots and bindings that allowed for very steep angles, producing perfectly round “cuts.” They use a short board with a pronounced sidecut, which allows them to make “carved” turns. This new sensation quickly spread to alpine skiing and created the “carving revolution.”
Along with the snowboard effect, one might assume that the “carving” revolution was also an advertising campaign by ski manufacturers to boost sales, but in reality, the carving effect is the result of the refinement of competitive skiing.
Skis were manufactured with a greater sidecut, which made it possible to execute “carved turns” (without skidding) like racers but at lower speeds. The sidecut of the skis is the key feature that allows them to turn sharply. The opportunity to fully take advantage of this feature arose when slopes began to be groomed by mechanical means.
Carving marks the end of modern skiing. Together with freestyle and freeride, it ushered in the postmodern era of skiing. Today, carving is no longer as radical as it was in its early days (fun-carving) but has evolved into “natural” carving and “Hip-Drag Carving”.
The Versatility of Carving Skis
Manufacturers and retailers claim that these skis are easier to turn. This is true, but not only because of their sidecut, but also because they are shorter. But if we take a moment and observe how skiers descend, we’ll see that the vast majority still continue to slide their tails from side to side, pivoting their skis to initiate the turn. So, thanks to shorter skis, is it easier to pivot or to carve the turns? In reality, this type of skis allows us to perform both actions easily, and that’s what all skiers are looking for.
Carving is when the skis cut through the snow, gliding along their entire length without skidding. The skis slide on the edges; the edges are curved and create a turning arc. This is the most efficient way to turn, as it displaces the least amount of snow and wastes the least amount of energy possible. It is also when the greatest reaction force from the snow can be achieved due to the grip of the edges, which is why racers try to carve their turns as much as possible.
The trajectories of the tips and tails are the same: they are clear and clean in the snow, and when both skis carve the turn, they leave two lines like railroad tracks. The skis move forward and not sideways as in skidding.
Key Factors to Consider
While it is true that carving was an innovative worldwide revolution in the evolution of skiing -a true “quantum leap”- the following aspects must be considered:
- There is a greater sense of carving even at low speeds.
- It is possible to get more out of the equipment.
- It’s easier to initiate turns.
- It is feasible to make the most of gently slopes.
- The sensation of acceleration is exhilarating.
- In a pure carved turn, it could be tricky -in some cases and depending on the skier’s skill level- to a quick release of the edges to slide the tails and slow down.
- There is a tendency for the tips to vibrate sideways (due to their width) during straight-line descents.
- For most recreational skiers, while they aim to learn a turn that accelerates them downhill with speed, they also need to control their speed with a skillful rounded skidding.
Features of the Carving Skis
- The biggest revolution in carving resulted from a detail as simple as a change in the skis’ geometry, specifically the sidecut. It was that simple to create a wide tip, a waist that was just as narrow or even narrower, and a wide tail. This means that the entire side of the ski traces a pronounced curved line when deformed by the skier’s pressure or weight.
- This creates a natural curve (turning arc) on the snow. This change has resulted in smoother turns that are executed without losing speed, tighter turns, less skidding, and greater grip and edge hold. When these carving skis were invented, carving turns became a realistic goal even for less skilled skiers.
- For carving skiing, skis must have the correct length-to-height ratio for the skier’s weight, as well as the appropriate flex for their skill level and strength. A ski that is too long or too stiff will force the skier to strain during turns.
- While selecting skis is important, choosing the right boots is even more important. Beginners typically use soft, comfortable boots. This is fine when learning but as progressing, it is needed stiffer boots. Many skiers suffer from imbalances that prevent them from executing a carved turn correctly because they use boots that aren’t appropriate for their weight and technical level, and are generally one size larger than the correct size.
- The edges should be sharp when skiing on hard snow. The skis’ design also plays a role in this type of snow, and some models perform better than others.
- Speed control is achieved through a short turning radius and is essential for mastering steep slopes. Each ski has a natural turning radius, and to reduce the radius, we must tip the skis further or actively rotate our legs and feet to produce a rounded, controlled skid.
- By adjusting legs’ flexion and extension and feet sensitivity in releasing or pressing down on the skis, a full contact with the snow is maintained.
- In carved turns, the feet are tensed in the direction of the turn.
- A quick body oscillation toward the direction of the new turn causes an edge change, allowing to change direction. This fore-diagonal shift occurs during the transition -when executing linked turns- that is, when connecting one turn to another. It is the moment when the skis switch sides, shifting from support on the edges of one side to the edges of the other side.
