How Do You Ski Downhill?

[phoenix]

"My leading foot is already down hill and when I try to bend my knee that leg basically just stays straight and the knee connected to my uphill foot bends."

This catches my attention. I tried imitating a turn (in my living room) with a straight front leg, and a bent uphill leg, and couldn't do it. My mental acuity does not permit me to explain the thoroughly, but in simple intuitive terms: Sounds like your front leg is locking up from a not quite conscious apprehension about committing to the turn due to the steepness. As conditions and/or slope angle change, so might your technique.

For steeper slopes, or more difficult conditions, the "b-tele" or more upright stance (which you display nicely in your videos) might well not the thing. I'm thinking more weighting and unweighting, being very conscious of body position and pole plant (keep the torso pointing downhill, and make that pole plant downhill too), and sinking into the turn, with a solid finish to it. Then you're unweighting for the next sequence.

I completely agree more lift served time is essential to get solid with your turns. Head down to the Wasatch for some delightful spring skiing, if you can. Brighton or Solitude would be very pleasant. Never been to Powder Mountain, but maybe that's a closer option for you?

[fisheater]

. I was on a brand new pair of skis, that I quite like, but it was very icy and I had trouble holding the tele stance for long enough to make a turn.

What??? Brand new pair of skis, but I’m not saying what skis! Wow! That is just unethical! How is any ski purchasing addiction going to be fed by not mentioning the skis.

Yes, I did notice

[fisheater]

"My leading foot is already down hill and when I try to bend my knee that leg basically just stays straight and the knee connected to my uphill foot bends."

This catches my attention.

I find dropping a knee without turning helps a lot. The first thing I do after putting my skis on is drop a knee standing still, both knees twice. Just my old man warm up. Going down an easy downhill on single track on my Gamme’s, drop a knee, with no attempt to turn.
I think dropping knees, have been a benefit to my knees. However, my best friends say I’m a little nuts, so your mileage may vary!

[randoskier]

Actually you CAN ski uphill!!

[JohnSKepler]

. I was on a brand new pair of skis, that I quite like, but it was very icy and I had trouble holding the tele stance for long enough to make a turn.

What??? Brand new pair of skis, but I’m not saying what skis! Wow! That is just unethical! How is any ski purchasing addiction going to be fed by not mentioning the skis.

Yes, I did notice

Haha, you are right! I got a pair of Atomic Maverick 86c in 176 cm. I have no idea if I like them for tele yet as the only day I've had was pretty much just ice. I'm not complaining. I got them on sale and wasn't really expecting to get to use them at all this winter. I did, however, discover that I can parallel ski them just fine with the Transit bindings and Scarpa F1 boots. I hope to get to the point I can tele ski groomed ice but I'm not there yet.

[phoenix]

Tele and ice don't go together well.