Understanding the nuances between edging and redirecting is fundamental to advancing your skiing technique. Both approaches serve different purposes and are suitable for varying conditions and styles. Here is a detailed breakdown of the key differences:

Ski Turns You vs. You Turn the Ski:

• Edging: When you edge, the ski's design and shape assist in turning. The skier sets the edge, and the ski naturally follows its arc due to the sidecut and camber.

• Redirecting: Here, you actively pivot the ski. This means you exert effort to turn the ski independently of its natural shape.

Turn Initiation:

• Edging: Higher edge angle early in the turn, with the turn starting later in the arc due to the ski's gradual bend.

• Redirecting: Engages the turn almost immediately through the pivot action.

Fall Line Engagement:

• Edging: Involves skiing more in the fall line, maintaining the ski’s edge longer, which engages the ski's shape to make the turn.

• Redirecting: Less engagement with the fall line, as you quickly pivot the skis to change direction.

Timing and Patience:

• Edging: Requires better timing, more patience, and better balance on the outside ski to maintain the edge through the turn.

• Redirecting: Less need for patience, higher turn initiation possible, as the pivoting action is not reliant on utilizing the hourglass ski design.

Ski Shape vs. Muscle:

• Edging: Utilizes the natural shape and design of the ski for turning.

• Redirecting: Relies on the skier’s muscle to pivot and maneuver the skis.

Ski Flex and Angles:

• Edging: Bends the ski more and involves higher edge angles.

• Redirecting: Less bending of the ski, with lower edge angles involved.

Control at Higher Speeds:

• Edging: Offers more control at higher speeds, as the ski is consistently engaged with the snow.

• Redirecting: Can be less stable at higher speeds due to the abrupt changes in direction.

Turning Forces and Fatigue:

• Edging: Potential to generate more turning forces, leading to potential fatigue at higher speeds due to the increased demands.

• Redirecting: Edging is less fatiguing at lower speeds as it’s more isometric, while redirecting might require slight eccentric/concentric movements, increasing physical exertion.

Surface Grip:

• Edging: Provides better grip on firmer snow and ice due to the continuous edge engagement.

• Redirecting: May struggle for grip on hard surfaces, as the pivoting action doesn't utilize the edge as effectively.

Balance and Body Movement:

• Edging: More isometric, relying on steady balance over the edges.

• Redirecting: Involves more dynamic movements. Rotary/pushing/pivoting requires shifting the upper body more to the outside to stay balanced on the outside ski.

Body Positioning:

• Edging: Allows you to be more centered over the skis. This balanced stance leverages the ski's design to initiate and sustain the turn.

• Redirecting: A more forward stance will be rewarded. Lightening the tails helps in pivoting and washing out the skis for direction changes.

  Recentering Techniques:

• Edging: You can use a foot pullback to recenter, allowing for smoother transitions and maintaining a balanced stance.

• Redirecting: Requires an up-and-forward move to recenter, which involves more pronounced movements and adjustments.

• Recentered Position: At lower speeds redirecting/pivoting will affecting fore/aft balance more than edging, which requires for more recentering

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