When we’re out on the slopes, whether we’re training for a local race or perfecting our technique for the next descent, it’s crucial to understand that not all turns are the same in skiing. Knowing how to handle each transition makes the difference between a tourist skier who already knows how to ski well and an elite skier. We will talk about the importance of the transition, that key moment between one turn and another where all the work you have done before is put to the test.

Transition is not just a turning point, but a continuous process where your stance, balance and control must always be in sync. Whether you’re looking to gain speed in a slalom race or simply stay stable on a technical descent, the right turn is your best ally as well as the right physical preparation. And what many don’t know is that there are different types of turns, each with its own purpose and application.

Today we are going to explain what the four main turns are for skiing like a pro: the yield turn, the extension turn, the retraction turn and the rebound turn. Don’t be scared off by the terminology. These aren’t just concepts used by the pros on the World Cup circuit, they’re tools you can use too, whether you’re competing in a club race or fine-tuning your technique. So, set the DIN of your bindings, your ski boots and get ready to discover how each transition can take your skiing to the next level.

The performance turn

When we talk about performance turns, we’re getting into the kind of technique you see in FIS competitions, but which can also make a difference for advanced skiers and local competition. This turn is based on maintaining a compact and stable stance throughout the transition, allowing you to control and conserve energy efficiently. It is a turn that balances control and speed, allowing each phase of the turn to be smooth and predictable.

In a performance turn, the goal is to distribute pressure evenly throughout the turn. As you enter the transition, your skis should be aligned, with the pressure controlled and constant. Weight is transferred from the outside ski to the inside ski in a progressive manner, allowing you to maintain constant contact with the snow while reducing the edge angle of your skis.

Step-by-step technique:

  1. Starting position: Maintain a low, athletic stance at the end of the previous turn. Weight should be on the outside ski.
  2. Weight transfer: As you prepare for the new turn, actively transfer weight to the new outside ski.
  3. Edge take-off: Begin to lean the ski into the edge and, at the same time, extend the outside leg while flexing the inside leg.
  4. Progressive pressure: As you increase the angle of the ski, your body should be slightly forward to put more pressure on the front of the ski to ensure a smooth turn.
  5. Maximum edge phase: At the highest point of the turn, the skis reach their highest edge angle. Here, the angulation of your body is crucial to counteract the forces generated.
  6. Turn exit: As you exit the turn, transfer your weight smoothly to the new outside ski, maintaining constant control over the pressure, from the toe to the heel of the ski.

This turn is not only efficient, it also helps you conserve energy on long descents or in competitions where fatigue can work against you. For skiers in race training, mastering this type of turn allows you to maintain a steady pace and adapt quickly to changing slope or snow conditions.

The extension turn

The extension turn is an essential resource when you need to manage longer distances between gates or when the piste gives you room to make longer turns. This type of turn is common in disciplines such as giant slalom, where you can afford to delay the start of the turn and use the extension of your legs to generate speed without compromising control.

The extension turn allows you to be ready to absorb the forces in the next phase of the turn. In this type of turn, you extend your legs as you change edges, allowing you to maintain precise control over the outside ski and be ready for any variations in the terrain or running line.

Step-by-step technique:

  1. Final position of the previous turn: As you approach the end of the turn, the weight transfer should already be complete, but you continue to extend your legs to lengthen the transition.
  2. Extension through transition: As you change edges, you extend your legs and your body rises, giving you a higher stance during transition. This movement is key to generating speed and being ready for any pressure absorption.
  3. Edge Control: Use leg activation to change edges in a precise and deliberate manner. The extension of your legs not only gives you height, but also makes it easier for the ski to start entering the new turn at the right angle.
  4. Turn entry: Once your skis are on the new edge, start flexing the inside leg while keeping pressure on the outside ski.
  5. Preparation for the next turn: As you approach the critical point of the turn, your stance should return to a lower, more compact position, ready to absorb the forces and continue the flow of the next turn.

This turn is not only used for wide turns, it is also an excellent tool for regaining balance if you are forced into a backward position during the previous turn. By extending your legs, you can quickly realign your centre of mass and regain control before entering the next turn.

The retraction turn

The retraction turn is an essential technique when you need a quick transition between turns, especially in situations where the pressure on the skis is high, such as in slalom racing or in difficult terrain such as deep snow or bumps. This type of turn is characterised by a quick, controlled movement in which you retract your legs to release pressure from your skis and change edges efficiently.

The key to this turn is the ability to quickly release pressure on the skis at the end of one turn and prepare for the next. Instead of a slow, progressive transition, as in extension or performance turns, in the retraction turn your legs flex quickly, allowing for a much quicker and more precise edge change.

Step-by-step technique:

  1. Pressure release: At the end of the turn, when the pressure on the outside ski is at its maximum, you retract both legs quickly and simultaneously. This movement releases the built-up pressure and allows you to initiate the transition immediately.
  2. Quick edge change: As you retract your legs, start changing the angle of the ski edges. Quick retraction facilitates a more efficient edge change, crucial in situations where time is limited, such as in a slalom race.
  3. Transition position: As your legs retract, your centre of mass moves forward and into the new turn, keeping your body in a compact position ready for the next move.
  4. Extension and new twist: Once the edge change is complete, you extend the outside leg again to initiate the new twist. The extension is crucial to maintain pressure on the outside ski, ensuring good control throughout the turn.
  5. Posture in the turn: As you move into the new turn, maintain a low stance, with the centre of mass directed forward to keep the pressure evenly distributed on the ski.

The retraction turn is especially useful when you find yourself late in the racing line and need to correct your position quickly. It is also an ideal technique for dealing with sudden changes in terrain, such as bumps or loose snow, as the retraction of the legs allows you to maintain control without losing speed.

The rebound turn

The rebound turn is a technique that arises from the energy stored in the skis at the end of a turn. It is especially useful in disciplines such as slalom, where turns are fast and transitions require you to move nimbly from turn to turn. This turn allows you to harness the power built up in the ski during the final phase of a turn to propel you quickly into the next turn. It’s explosive, dynamic and definitely exciting when you master it.

The rebound turn occurs when the pressure on the skis is so high that, when the pressure is released, the ski ‘reacts’, creating a kind of rebound that can be used to turn faster. This type of turn is common on steep slopes or in packed snow conditions, where quick direction changes are key.

Step-by-step technique:

  1. Pressure build-up: During the final phase of the turn, the skier builds up a large amount of pressure on the outside ski, especially if the edge angle is steep or if you are making a short, tight turn.
  2. Controlled release: As you approach the end of the turn, instead of completely absorbing the pressure, you allow the ski to collect that energy. This causes the skis to momentarily lose full contact with the snow, creating a ‘bounce’ that you can take advantage of.
  3. Explosive transition: Use the energy released from the ski to propel you quickly into the new turn. You may rise briefly into the air or your skis may lose some of their contact with the snow during the transition. This time in the air allows you to make a quick edge change.
  4. Changing edges in the air: While you are in the air or in a lighter position on the snow, change the edges of your skis to prepare for the next turn. The speed of this transition is key to maintaining control.
  5. Smooth re-entry: When landing or regaining contact with the snow, be sure to extend your legs to absorb any impact and press evenly back onto the outside ski, ready to initiate the next turn with control and precision.

This type of turn can be difficult to master, but when you do, it offers a significant advantage in terms of speed and agility. In addition, the rebound turn is not only efficient in slalom racing, it can also be incredibly fun on recreational downhill runs, giving you that sense of fluidity and dynamism that all skiers seek.

The main differences between the four types of turns in competitive ski racing

The main differences between the four types of ski turns lie in how they handle transition and pressure on the skis. The performance turn is characterised by a low, compact stance that conserves energy and distributes pressure evenly, ideal for rounded, controlled turns. The extension turn involves a higher stance, extending the legs during transition to delay turn entry, useful when there is more space between gates or to regain balance. The retraction turn is the fastest in terms of edge change, as it relies on the rapid retraction of both legs at the end of the turn to release pressure and prepare for an immediate transition, perfect for high pressure situations or uneven terrain. Finally, the rebound turn uses the energy stored at the end of the turn to propel into the next turn, creating an explosive and fast transition, which is used for short turns or steep terrain.

Mastering the four types of turns – yield, extension, retraction and rebound – is key to taking your skiing to the next level, whether in local competitions or on your most demanding descents. Each technique allows you to adapt your style to different conditions and challenges on the mountain, optimising both speed and control. However, to hone these skills and become an even more efficient skier, it is essential to have an expert on the ground.

Learn from the pros: ski racing teams and clubs

If you want to push your ski racing technique to the max, don’t hesitate to take lessons from a certified instructor or join a racing team where you can train like a champion.

By joining a ski racing team or even a ski racing club, you’ll be immersed in structured training that includes advanced techniques and drills designed to perfect your ski racing technique. As you can imagine, one of the key aspects will be improving angulation and edge control, essential for maintaining stability and speed in turns. You will train specific exercises on steep slopes, where you will practice fast transitions, such as retraction and rebound turns, essential in difficult terrain or slalom runs. In addition, you will work on efficient weight transfer between skis, perfecting performance turn technique to optimise pressure distribution throughout each turn.

Technicians will also likely use technological tools, such as high-speed cameras to record and analyse your descents, allowing for detailed corrections in real time. Pressure platforms are also used to measure how you distribute your weight on the skis during turns, helping you to improve the efficiency of your movements. Motion sensors, placed in the boots or on the body, analyse data on lean, speed and posture, providing key information to adjust every aspect of your technique. Some advanced equipment even uses ski simulators, which replicate real piste conditions so you can practice transitions without having to be on the mountain.

With these techniques and tools, your evolution will be faster and more precise, ensuring you master all four types of turns and can confidently tackle any terrain or situation on the slopes.