"Start the Turn Early"

Start the Turn Early; we have all heard that advice from coaches throughout the years. Good thought I know, but are the right words in play here? I am not sure this fully addresses the concept needed. In my mind it begins to talk about two things: WHERE to start the turn and HOW to make the beginning of any turn more powerful and controlling for all skiers AND faster for ski racers.
WHERE to start the turn is a subject in itself and we can talk more about that at another time.
So that brings us back to “HOW to start the turn; AND with improved skill”. And another question: why we would want to improve the early portion of the turn?
For the purposes of this conversation, I think more clarity would be revealed by saying something more like: Get the new outside ski on edge and pressure it early in the arc of the turn. Most usually, good turns are arc shaped and reasonably smooth in nature.
Edging the ski first, then applying pressure strongly, yet smoothly and progressively starts the carving action cleanly, and helps to maintain current momentum and speed. Importantly, it carves the skier INTO the fall-line. We recognize pretty easily, a skier turning from a path traveling somewhat across the hill towards a path that is directly down the hill is going to accelerate… and with the accurate carving action already in place, this skier has a very good opportunity to preserve that speed and momentum going into the new path towards the start of the next turn.
There also is an important added benefit for the racer and recreational skier in this approach. Edging and pressuring the ski early also establishes control of the arc very early and allows the skier a much stronger aspect of control and balance.
Skiers who do not focus on carving into the fall-line tend to fixate on changing direction from right to left (or left to right) rather quickly and ultimately somewhat harshly. Edging is harsh and tends to happen at the conclusion of one turn then again at the conclusion of the next. Typically there is not much going on in-between these edge sets.
These turns tend to go from left to right very quickly with little dynamics happening in the middle of the turn. Turns of this nature will usually skid more in the bottom aspect of the tune due to the accumulated demands waiting to happen at this point. If a skier is late in establishing early carving, there is a period of “limbo” in the arc…balance is compromised during this limbo time and directional control is essentially non-existent, or chancy at best. If and when carving is introduced late in the turn the skier must do a great deal in a fairly short time and distance; further challenging the skier’s ability, balance and strength.
I consider the skill of early carving to be one of the three most important fundamental skills in skiing. The first skill is maintaining a balanced stance that has the ankles flexed into the front of the boot. The second is a strong and versatile pole plant that aids the skier in the transition/balance change from the dominant foot of one turn to the next dominant foot. And the third is becoming skilled in utilizing the aspect of early carving at the top/beginning of each turn.
Almost every skier is fluent with the bottom/finish of the turn. Only the better skiers master the top of the turn. Take some time each day to work on this and the other fundamental skills and I guarantee you will become a better skier!