Ski Tips

Ski Tips

Jack Rabbit Turn
Jackrabbit Turn
Goal: to build quickness, independent leg action, and powerful short radius turns.
Body Position: Ski Downhill making jump turns.

This drill builds strength and dynamic motion. It calls on your coordination and uses the power position to generate the motion. This is important because doing it builds confidence as you learn how to pick your feet up in a short radius turn and set them down in a new direction.

This is a power turn with attitude: Instead of a jump, it's an energetic leap combined with lateral movement and a powerful pole plant. It's skill that builds quick reaction and teaches independent leg action. It teaches you to pick up your feet and create powerful short radius turns. Being able to jump into the air and come down in a new turn is a skill often used on particularly steep or challenging runs, and it ultimately sets the serious skier apart from the casual one.

In practice, the drill is easy to learn. Just pick you feet up together and place them in a new direction. In fact, you may want to practice it without skis on to build strength and confidence, similar to the Jump Turns without Skis Drill in the balance section.

On the slope, face downhill and push off. Be sure your body is in proper balance and well centered. Once you're in motion, crouch down, and then leap into the air. An essential characteristic of the Jackrabbit Turn is this explosive upward movement. Place your feet down in the new direction. Be sure to turn your skis in the air. Land and jump up again and make another turn. Use your pole plant for leverage, timing and balance.

Practice this drill in sets. Do as many turns as you can. Then rest and do another set.

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