Editing Alpine skiing (section)

== Technique ==
A skier following the [[Fall line (skiing)|fall line]] will reach the maximum possible speed for that slope. A skier with skis pointed perpendicular to the fall line, across the hill instead of down it, will accelerate more slowly. The speed of descent down any given hill can be controlled by changing the angle of motion in relation to the fall line, skiing across the hill rather than down it.

Downhill skiing technique focuses on the use of turns to smoothly turn the skis from one direction to another. Additionally, the skier can use the same techniques to turn the ski away from the direction of movement, generating skidding forces between the skis and snow which further slow the descent. Good technique results in a fluid flowing motion from one descent angle to another one, adjusting the angle as needed to match changes in the steepness of the run. This looks more like a single series of S's than turns followed by straight sections.

===Stemming===
{{main|Stem (skiing)}}
The oldest and still common type of turn on skis is the stem, angling the tail of the ski off to the side, while the tips remain close together. In doing so, the snow resists passage of the stemmed ski, creating a force that retards downhill speed and sustains a turn in the opposite direction. When both skis are stemmed, there is no net turning force, only retardation of downhill speed.

===Carving===
{{main|Carve turn}}
Carving is based on the shape of the ski itself; when the ski is rolled onto its edge, the shape cut into its side (also known as a sidecut) causes it to bend into an arc. The contact between the arc of the ski edges and the snow naturally causes the ski to tend to move along that arc, changing the skiers direction of motion.

====Checking====

This is an advanced form of speed control by increasing the pressure on one inside edge (for example the right ski),  then releasing the pressure and shifting immediately to increasing the other inside edge (the left ski).  Then repeat if necessary.  Each increased pressure slows the speed.  Alternating right and left allows the skis to remain parallel and point ahead without turning.  The increase and release sequence results in the up and down motions of the upper body.  Some skiers go down the top of moguls and control the speed by checking at the tops.  This is how they can practically go straight down the fall line without gaining speed.{{Cn|date=January 2025}}

=== Snowplough turn===
{{main|Snowplough turn}}
The snowplough turn is the simplest form of turning and is usually learned by beginners. To perform the snowplough turn one must be in the snowplough position while going down the ski slope. While doing this they apply more pressure to the inside of the opposite foot of which the direction they would like to turn. This type of turn allows the skier to keep a controlled speed and introduces the idea of turning across the fall line.&nbsp;<ref name = gamma>{{Cite book |title=The handbook of skiing |first=Karl |last=Gamma |date=1992 |publisher=Knopf |isbn=9780679743163 |edition=Rev. and updated |location=New York |oclc=25632229 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/handbookofskiing00karl_0}}</ref>