Last updated: 3 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
Carving is the advanced skiing technique where the skis turn on their edges, cutting a clean arc rather than skidding sideways. Properly carved turns leave two thin parallel lines in the snow, like railroad tracks. Carving is faster and more efficient than skidded turns because the edges grip rather than scrape. It requires confident edge control, appropriate (groomed) terrain, and is much easier on modern shaped (parabolic) skis, whose sidecut is designed to bend into a carving arc when the ski is tipped on edge.
- Skis turn on edges, cutting clean arcs
- Leaves thin railroad-track lines
- Faster and more efficient than skidding
- Easier on modern shaped (parabolic) skis
In practice
Carving — riding on the edges of the skis to create a clean, arcing turn with minimal skidding — is both more efficient and more fun once mastered, since it uses the ski's natural sidecut shape to generate turning force rather than relying on muscular effort to skid the skis sideways, which is why ski instructors prioritise it as a key intermediate-to-advanced skill progression.
FAQ
What's the difference between carving and skidding turns?
Carving uses the ski's edge and sidecut shape to create a clean arc with the ski tracking along a thin line, while skidding involves the ski sliding sideways across the snow, which is slower and less efficient.
Do I need special skis to carve?
Shorter, more cambered skis with pronounced sidecut make carving easier to learn, though the technique itself (weight transfer, edge angle, upper/lower body separation) matters more than equipment alone.