These types of short turns are an important prt of CSIA L3 and something I've been working hard on the last few seasons. (Working? Shooooot, it's sking "...having a good time on...") Mastery is still elusive and on any given day I may do decent shorts
or they may be a sad disappointment
.
If they haven't been part of a skier's repertoire it will take a while before they look like Benni Walsh.
The 1st thing was getting an idea of what is supposed to happen. So basically the skis are steered from the top of the arc and then, just after the fall line, grip is rapidly increased leading to a spike in GRF providing redirection across the hill and rebound into the next turn. In CSIA L3 they are typically done on a steep, black, groomed run at an advanced speed with a tempo about 1 second per turn.
This vid from Paul Lorenz shows turns at a much higher proficiency and discusses his objectives for shorts in various snow conditions.
The importance of that rapid increase in grip/GRF is discussed here. Can't overstate the need for this. Without it shorts are very, very hard work.
There's quite a bit of advice available. Most recently I've followed the ideas of Big Picture Skiing. There's a good overview in this CARV clip of his main points. More details on BPS web site in the short turns vids.
Anyone familiar with Sun Peak's Headwall - pretty good skiing. Not to mention that top part of Silverstar's Caliper Ridge.
Also found useful tips on the Projected Production vids. One from Paul Lorenz who says he imagines a short turn pitch as two columns of trampolines on their sides redirecting him back and forth across the hill between the columns. Found that a very useful image.
Richie knows a thing or two about short turns. The ski-in-boots only drill at 0:38 is revealing for how far back centered actually is. Try that one a bit forward to find out...
Keys for me are:
- Being particularly active in ankles and knees - important for working pressure along the length of the ski through the turn. Dolphin turns on the flat one of the best ways of getting mobile. Doesn't actually matter if the dolphins hardly occur - it will wake up the ankles!
- Disciplined upper body
- Allowing the femurs to rotate in the hip sockets - if the hips come around after the fall line it'll cost grip.
Also - it helps to be fit. A long, steep pitch of swing shorts is going to get the blood pumping. OTOH great way to keep warm on a cold day.
Have fun.
And a bonus vid comparing different ski organisations ideas on shorts. For no particular reason.