In skiing, edge angle is the angle between your skis and the snow. A higher edge angle helps you carve clean turns. It gives you more grip and better control, especially at high speeds. Skiers who want to go faster, turn sharper, or ski more like racers must learn how to increase their edge angle. This skill is not just for professionals. Even intermediate skiers can benefit from it.
In this article, we’ll explore what edge angle is, why it matters, and how you can increase it safely and effectively. Whether you’re carving on groomed runs or racing in speed events like Super-G or downhill, mastering edge angle is key to skiing with precision.
What Is Edge Angle in Skiing?
Edge angle is the angle your ski makes with the snow surface when you tilt it onto its edge. Imagine standing your ski flat on the snow—this is a 0-degree edge angle. Now, if you roll your ski onto its side, the angle increases. The steeper the edge, the more your ski can carve into the snow.
When the edge angle is high:
You create more grip between the ski and the snow.
You bend the ski more, helping it carve a tighter arc.
You reduce skidding and increase control.
Edge angle is not about simply tipping your ankles. It involves your whole body—from your feet to your hips to your shoulders.
Why Is A Higher Edge Angle Important?
Increasing edge angle brings many performance benefits. Here are the main reasons:
1. Better Grip on Hard Snow
Hard-packed or icy snow makes skiing tricky. A high edge angle lets the ski bite into the snow surface. It prevents slipping and builds confidence, especially in turns.
2. Cleaner Carving
With higher edge angles, the ski cuts through the snow instead of skidding. This leads to smoother, more powerful turns.
You also go faster with less effort.
3. Stronger Turn Shape
Edge angle helps shape the turn. It lets the ski bend more, which shortens the turn radius. You get more control when turning on steep slopes.
4. Better Speed Management
In speed skiing, controlling your direction and line is critical. High edge angles help racers manage speed without losing grip, even at 60+ mph.
How to Increase Edge Angle While Skiing
Raising your edge angle is about body positioning, balance, and technique. Below are the steps and skills you need to work on.
1. Start With Strong Basic Stance
Before increasing edge angle, make sure you have a solid stance.
Here’s what it looks like:
- Feet hip-width apart
- Knees slightly bent
- Hips centered over the feet
- Spine tall and balanced
- Hands forward and level
A good stance gives you control and flexibility. Without this, it’s hard to balance on high edges.
2. Learn to Incline and Then Angulate
There are two ways your body can affect edge angle: inclination and angulation.
Inclination is when you lean your whole body toward the inside of the turn. This is natural and helps create edge angle.
However, if you only incline, you may lose balance or skid.
Angulation is the better way to increase edge angle safely. It means bending your body at the hips, knees, and ankles so your upper body stays upright while your legs tilt.
How to practice angulation:
Keep your upper body tall and level.
Push your knees and hips into the turn.
Keep shoulders outside the turn, not leaning in.
Feel pressure on the outside ski.
Angulation allows you to increase edge angle without falling inside the turn.
3. Focus on Pressure Management
Edge angle and pressure go hand in hand. If you tilt the ski but don’t manage pressure, you won’t carve well.
How to apply pressure properly:
Focus on your outside ski. This is your main carving ski.
Apply pressure early in the turn.
Avoid sudden weight shifts. Smooth transitions help you stay balanced.
As you increase edge angle, your skis bend more. This helps the ski carve naturally.
4. Use Your Ankles, Knees, and Hips
Tipping the skis starts with the ankles. But to get a high edge angle, you need to add movement from the knees and hips.
Progressive tipping:
Begin the turn by rolling your inside ankle toward the snow.
Let the knees follow the ankles, increasing the angle.
Add hip angulation to go even deeper.
Keep your torso quiet and stable.
By using all three joints, you create a strong and stable edge angle. Don’t force it. Build gradually as you get more comfortable.
5. Keep Your Upper Body Stable
Too much upper-body movement will throw off your edge. Focus on separation between your upper and lower body.
How to stay stable:
Keep your arms quiet and facing downhill.
Avoid twisting your shoulders into the turn.
Look ahead, not down.
This helps you stay balanced while your legs do the carving work.
6. Practice on the Right Terrain
Choose the right place to work on edge angle. Start on easy groomed slopes.
Ideal conditions:
- Smooth, packed snow
- Moderate slope (blue runs)
- Low skier traffic
Avoid steep or bumpy terrain until you’re comfortable with your edge control.
Drills to Improve Edge Angle
Doing drills is the best way to build muscle memory. Here are three simple and effective drills.
1. Railroad Tracks Drill
Goal: Create clean carved tracks in the snow.
How to do it:
Ski straight down on a mellow slope.
Tip your skis side to side without turning.
Try to leave parallel lines like train tracks.
This helps you feel how edge angle creates turns.
2. Edge Roll Drill
Goal: Focus on ankle and knee tipping.
How to do it:
Ski slowly across the hill.
Tip both skis uphill and downhill using ankles and knees.
Feel the edges bite into the snow.
Repeat on both sides.
3. Angulation Drill
Goal: Develop hip angulation.
How to do it:
Ski short radius turns on a mellow slope.
Focus on keeping your upper body level while your lower body tilts.
Try to keep your outside hand over the outside ski.
You can also place your poles horizontally across your hips to see how much you’re tilting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many skiers try to increase edge angle too quickly or the wrong way. Watch out for these errors:
Leaning in too much: Don’t drop your inside shoulder.
Over-rotating the upper body: Stay square to the hill.
Too much pressure on the inside ski: Always pressure the outside ski.
Trying to carve on ice without control: Edge angle helps, but only with good technique.
Take your time. Build up skill by skill.
When to Use Higher Edge Angles
You don’t need high edge angles all the time. Save them for:
- Carving turns on groomed slopes
- Going fast on long turns
- Racing or speed events
- Hard-packed snow or ice
In moguls or powder, lower edge angles may be better. The goal is to use the right tool for the right job.
Conclusion
Increasing edge angle is a big step in skiing technique. It leads to more control, speed, and style. But it’s not just about tipping your skis more. It takes balance, pressure control, and full-body coordination.
Start small. Focus on good posture and strong outside ski use. Practice angulation and stability. Use drills to build confidence. With time and practice, you’ll carve deeper, faster, and smoother.