CARV 2: ON TEST
This season sees the release of Carv 2. Fall Line’s Ad Manager Rich Evans headed to the Stubai Glacier to put it to the test
Carv Review: Revolutionising Ski Coaching
Using Carv is like having a ski instructor sitting on your shoulder and giving feedback. But without the extra weight. It’s a digital ski coaching device that analyses your technique while you’re skiing and gives personalised coaching, either via an earpiece as you ski, or via the app.
I’ve been a user of the original version of Carv for a couple of years, and it’s definitely improved my skiing, so I was really intrigued to see Carv 2 in action, particularly as they’ve done away with the footbed boot inserts.
Two main questions – how can it work without footbeds, and does it really work not just on groomed pistes as before, but also now in chopped conditions, moguls, and even powder?
So how does it work?
There are no footbeds for starters, and for anyone with snug boots (read: anyone serious about skiing), that’s a game-changer! I just clipped the device to my boot strap, paired it with the app, and off I skied. It’s the size of a box of matches and was happy hiding under my trouser cuff – you wouldn’t know it was there.
How Carv makes it work is some form of wizardry. Apparently, it’s all about the forward boot motion, and accelerometers and gyroscopes measuring changes of speed and direction of the boot as you progress through a turn. When this is compared with millions of other turn data, they can give you very accurate levels of feedback without having any pressure sensors. As I said, wizardry – Hogwarts levels of magic that my little brain can’t pretend to begin to understand.
Testing it out
In Stubai in early November, there was no powder up for grabs, but I did get to push it on everything from perfectly groomed pistes to icy, chewed-up slopes. And yes, it could definitely tell the difference – it adjusted the coaching suggestions accordingly, without requiring me to fiddle with the app.
One of my favourite upgrades is how much easier it is to switch between the coaching levels – one criticism I had of the original set-up was that you had to go through multiple levels of menus to find the one you were looking for. Now, everything is right on the home screen.
Want to enjoy a relaxed ski with friends? You can dial down the coaching, avoid constant updates, and just review your stats later. Want to do a focused training hour? Crank up the coaching for immediate, specific feedback on each turn, working on a metric of your choice and a specific drill piped directly into your ear via Bluetooth.
My go-to mode is ‘Active Coach’. It’s a smart setting that automatically assesses the terrain and adjusts the feedback intensity based on my current skill level and the slope. It keeps things motivating: if I’m nailing smooth groomers, I get reinforcing ‘bing’ sounds when I hit my targets, and when the pitch gets steep and icy, the app lowers the bar to my level and keeps me focused but not frustrated. It’s like having a patient but tough coach who knows when to push and when to encourage.
Metrics galore
Carv 2 offers a spellbook of metrics, including turn shape, edge angle, edging similarity, and even G-force, to mention a few. In the app, you can easily see where you’re performing well and where there’s room for improvement.
And it’s not just numbers – Carv 2 translates these metrics into visuals, showing your turn shape, balance, and even early movement within each turn. There are also video tutorials for each metric, so you can break down what needs work and learn how to fix it.
The verdict
Carv 2 isn’t just for experts or tech lovers – it’s for anyone who wants to improve their skiing, from an intermediate starting to carve, through to a powder or mogul lover wanting real-time feedback.
For anyone who’s analytical or goal-oriented, these metrics add a new layer of engagement to skiing. I find myself spending extra time analysing every last turn and metric in pursuit of that perfect carve. The only downside? Yes, it can be very addictive! Much like Quidditch, I’d imagine.
