There are two likely explanations for skis that slip, skid or chatter down a fall line. One is poorly tuned edges. The other is inaccurate body movements, especially in your ankles. To make the most of your skis’ shape, keep their edges engaged with the snow throughout the turn by rolling your ankles over your active edges. “The key is pressuring the inside edge of the outside ski. “When your anklebone is aligned over that edge, the ski will grip and cut a clean path through the snow.” On a moderately steep slope, carve different-sized turns while paying attention to the action of your ankles, pressuring the inside edge of your outside ski. You’ll feel an immediate difference.

Committing to your outside ski is crucial to making a good turn. But the too-much-of-a-good-thing rule applies. Place too much attention and weight on your outside ski, and your inside leg will be free to wander—and it will, jeopardizing smooth and efficient turn transitions. Your inside (uphill) leg and ski can have the tendency to float ahead of the outside (downhill) leg.  This is called tip lead, and too much can disrupt your transitions. When you start a new turn, it can be difficult to step onto a ski that is in front of your body. Pull and hold your inside leg under your center of mass throughout the turn to create seamless transitions.

If your weight is over your heels, you can’t use the skis’ shape to your advantage. Shaped skis are like front-wheel-drive vehicles: You want the mass of the drivetrain up front in order to pull and steer you through a turn. To keep yourself in a forward position, practice this drill during your lunch break: Stand in your boots on a flat surface and move your weight over the balls of your feet. Then tip your boots on edge and lean at a 45-degree angle into a table or wall, keeping your torso squared. Return to center and tip to the other side. Replicate this on the hill to stay forward and carve effortless turns.