Ski tips; short turns and the hockey stop

Skiing is one of the most popular winter sports this season, and Baqueira offers countless opportunities to enjoy this activity. To learn properly, nothing is better than the help of a professional, but understanding the theory behind the technique is also useful. Short turns and the hockey stop are two advanced techniques used once the basic skills of skiing have been learned. Here we explain a bit more about them.

Short turns in skiing

Short turns are a skiing technique that consists of making small, continuous turns to avoid the steepest part of the slope while maintaining speed. To perform them, the skis are kept parallel and pressure control is key. This rhythmic, short-radius and continuous turning technique requires great precision, as each turn flows directly into the next without a guiding phase. Mastering them smoothly is one of every skier’s dreams, but let’s start with the technique. To execute this movement, the upper body remains oriented down the fall line, following an imaginary straight line along which the turns are made. It is the knees and hips that do the work by applying pressure on the ski edges through a gentle rotation. This slight movement causes the skis to deviate from the line, creating tension on the outer ski. As the short radius is completed, you must release that pressure to return to the fall line. Once there, pressure is applied again to direct the skis in the opposite direction.

Mastering this technique will allow you to ski faster, with more control and fluidity. You will experience the snow in a completely different way by improving your sensations.

Hockey stop, the snow spray stop

This is a very common stopping technique in ski resorts. It is easily recognizable, as the edges slide sideways over the snow, creating a characteristic spray. It is a sharp turn that does not complete a full circle, designed to stop immediately. The legs perform the movement while the upper body continues its motion but without applying force once the turn is completed. The technique is as follows: the torso remains facing downhill at all times, and pressure is applied quickly and forcefully through the legs to initiate the movement. Once the stop is completed, the rest of the body follows the turn so you end up perpendicular to the slope in a stable position. When performing this movement, the ski edges dig sharply into the snow, lifting it and creating that distinctive cloud.

Learning with a good slope and a professional

Now that you know the theory behind these techniques, it’s time to put them into practice. Take advantage of the ski season and seek the help of a professional to learn how to perform these turns and stops safely and without injury. To do so, choose a resort with a wide variety of slopes of different levels to gradually improve your technique. Baqueira Beret is an excellent option thanks to its 167 km of skiable terrain across 112 slopes for all levels, making it the largest ski domain in Spain for winter sports.

To enjoy the ski season at this resort, you need good accommodation. Do you know where to find it? Alma de Nieve holiday apartments are an excellent choice to fully enjoy the snow in comfort. Our apartments are perfectly located in different areas of the Aran Valley, offering a great way to discover this wonderful region and enjoy one of the best ski resorts.

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