Ski skills P4: All-Conditions

Bine Zalohar from Freedom Snowsports explains how to master skiing variable terrain and turn even the toughest conditions into pure skiing bliss.

Become an all-conditions crusher

The mountain is a playground, and there’s always something fun to ski, even when conditions might not be perfect blower pow. We’ve pulled together some of our top tips for all-mountain shredding—no matter what the snow is like underneath your feet. Follow these tips and you’ll become a more versatile skier, able to tackle all terrain with confidence and style, like the Swiss Army knife of skiers.

All-terrain approach

Backcountry, sidecountry, slackcountry, off-piste… There are lots of terms used by skiers to describe ungroomed terrain. Whatever you call it, here we’re talking about any snow that’s beyond the piste basher’s territory. This snowy playground presents skiers with arguably the most challenging obstacles found in skiing, from deep snow to variable textures, steep slopes, and narrow chutes. Of course, it’s key to adjust how you ski, but skiing beyond the piste markers also requires a level of mountain safety knowledge, so if in doubt, hire a professional.

When you’re skiing the whole mountain, you’re most likely to encounter variable snow conditions. The ‘perfect powder’ days are fleeting (but that’s why we keep going back, right?). Skiing in variable snow is exciting, but conditions are constantly changing. Snow can be a mix of powder, crust, or slush, each requiring a different technique. Learning to read the snow and adjust your technique accordingly is the key. For example, soft powder demands a more equal stance to stay afloat, while icy conditions require more dominant turns and careful edge control.

Here are a few key pointers to help you adapt to the snow that comes your way.

Stay out of the back seat

You might have heard that powder skiing myth: ‘Lean back in deep snow to keep your tips up.’ But don’t be fooled—the moment you hit a lump or bump, you’ll be thrown way off balance and find yourself on the ground.

In almost all soft, variable conditions, don’t lean back unless it’s a brief and exceptional moment where you’re trying to prevent yourself from getting bogged down in the heaviest of heavy snow. Your skis will naturally want to sit in soft snow at a raised angle compared to the slope angle (tips sitting higher in the snow than the tails). To maintain momentum and stay balanced over the feet, use your ankles to raise the tips of your skis. Imagine your ankle articulating to press or release the pedal in your car. Release the pedal and you’ll allow your ski tips to sit up more naturally in the soft snow while maintaining balance without having to lean back. Keep your core strong to hold everything steady from your shoulders to your pelvis. This enables your center of mass to stay steady while being able to control your legs and feet quickly and fluidly.

Slashing the slush

On a sunny spring day, there’s nothing quite like smashing through slushy bumps. However, it can often be the last run of the day, when your legs are tired, that you’re faced with a long home run on a slushed-up piste. This heavy snow will slow your momentum, so slush skiing is all about going with the flow:

Prevent your center of mass from being thrown around by keeping your core strong.
Avoid sudden movements or snatching at a direction, and instead slow down the rate of all your inputs.
Go with the flow of your turns with smooth, strong movements.
Focus on steering with rotation against the base of your skis rather than just seeking the edge.
Steer from your femur’s ball and socket joint instead of trying to drag your legs around by twisting your hips or shoulders.
Control your ankle joint to add some extra direction to your ski tips.

Performing in powder

Soft, cold, fluffy powder… The stuff ski dreams are made of. First things first, make sure you’re on the right kit, because it will help you float at lower speeds and provide more stability. Don’t be afraid of using a longer ski (at least as long as you are tall). Sure, a wide footprint is a given, but if you’re 186cm tall and skiing 170cm skis, even though they’re 110mm underfoot, you’ll be missing out. The ski will still be twitchy along the length, so expect a head plant at any moment. If in doubt, go longer:

Use shallower turn shapes rather than finishing with your skis facing across the hill. This will enable you to maintain a consistent speed and rhythm, which will, in turn, keep you on top of the snow.
Remember, no sudden movements and no snatching at turns.
Use your pole plant for balance and timing.
Let your legs flex, almost in a retracting movement, to release the rebound at the end of the turns. Then use that bounce to bring your skis back up to the surface of the snow.
Always think ahead, look up, and plan your line, visualizing your line on the snow to keep your eyes at least two turns ahead.

Cranking it in the Crud

Crud, otherwise known as the messy chopped-up conditions left at the end of a powder day (or a few days after), is random and less uniform than skiing bumps, so you need to be quick to adapt and avoid the large build-up of cookies. It can be a bumpy ride, but it’s the missing piece in most skiers’ all-terrain toolkit:

Stay soft with your lower body so you can absorb anything under your feet.
Keep a strong core to help you stay balanced over your skis and prevent you from being thrown around with the changes underfoot.
Use your head and upper body to look down into the new turn to avoid getting caught up in the old one. This should help you keep your flow moving down the hill.
Tune into the legs’ lower joints to absorb any ‘micro’ variations in the snow.
Look ahead and pick a line through the bumps to help you stay in control.

So, next time conditions are less than perfect, keep testing your technique on all terrain. You’ll become a more rounded skier and find you’re slicing and dicing effortlessly through whatever the mountain throws your way.

Meet the pro

Bine Zalohar

Bine is a professional instructor, guide, and ski mountaineer at British-owned Freedom Snowsports, based in Chamonix. Freedom Snowsports has locations in Saint Gervais, Megève, Chamonix, Méribel, and the Grand Massif. It runs courses for all levels, from beginners to pro training camps. If you’ve ever wanted to develop your skiing skills, these guys are the go-to experts.

Find out more at freedomsnowsports.com.