Easy Kick Turn Technique To Stop Cursing When Ski Touring

Learn how to make a good kick turn to make your ski touring more enjoyable! This is the easy way. The 2 common flaws to avoid when doing a kick turn while skinning in the backcountry are not making a stable platform and not lifting your knee as you transfer your weight. Correct these by watching the video and practicing.

How to do a kick turn and avoid the most common ski touring mistakes. When climbing up a hill on skis, or skinning, you have to traverse and change directions using a turning technique. Going up efficiently with allow you to descend with more remaining energy. There are two major techniques; the round turn and the kick turn. So what is better? A kick turn, or a round turn? Answer: you want to take the path of least resistance.

In this video, Backcountry Skiing expert, Rene-Martin from the Great Outdoors Learning Hub, is going to demonstrate the difference in each type of turn and how to do them efficiently. You will also learn about the 2 mistakes to avoid when performing a kick turn.

HOW TO CLIMB
You should always use the path of least resistance. Climbing up the lowest slope angle to conserve energy is the key to having a successful, energetic day of backcountry skiing. Practice these 2 types of turns when skinning up a slope in the backcountry.

ROUND TURN
The round turn, combined to long progressive traverses are the most efficient way to skin up a mountain so you can ski down the turns that you earned. It is a simple progressive change in direction that makes a nice gradual curve as you change direction. Little steps help conserve energy.

KICK TURN
The kick turn is more technically challenging then the round turn. It is used when the terrain forces you to change direction in a tight space. Professional backcountry ski coach Rene-Martin summarizes the kick turn into 6 easy to remember steps:

1-Make a nice PLATFORM before turning.
2-CUT the slope with your uphill ski.
3-TAP the snow with your uphill ski.
4-Transfer your POLES uphill.
5-Transfer your WEIGHT onto your uphill ski.
6-Lift your lower ski up and bend your KNEE to bring the ski up.

THE TWO BIGGEST KICK TURN MISTAKES TO CORRECT
The 2 common flaws to avoid when practicing a kick turn while skinning in the backcountry are not making a stable platform and not lifting your knee as you transfer your weight. Correct these by watching the video and practicing.

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00:00 Introduction
00:15 How Steep?
01:42 Round Turn
02:07 Kick Turn
05:31 Deciding What Type Of Turn To Apply