If you enjoy the bumps, then this is a move worth owning.
The "Air Carve". It goes beyond "functional air". There can be elements of flash, beyond the function. The basic idea is to launch on the upside of one bump and land on the top or backside of the same or the next bump without an interruption of flow and rhythm.
In the video I will attempt to demonstrate and explain a few patterns in the bumps in which this is particularly appropriate. As well as the visual, technical, tactical, and mental approaches.
I may use this tactic when I am a little aft prior to takeoff, as well as when the bump line is chopped up and jagged.
We have been there, you know that the bump after the current one has a steep face, and the impact will jolt you. Rather than taking the hit, what if you looked to the top or backside of the upcoming steeply-faced bump. You could elevate over the sharp, high-impact line and land in a smoother path.
What differentiates the Air Carve from functional air type turns is that there is a smooth transition of edges in the air. There is minimal leg rotation from takeoff to landing. I want to emphasis Minimal, there is some steering adjustment that takes place in the air, but not a strong twist. Too much turn in the air will have you landing across your line of travel and can interrupt your flow. There is also a tipping movement from one set of edges to the other, as well as a "pedaling" movement from leg to leg. i.e. On a turn to the left, a lengthening of the right leg and a flexing of the left leg (joints).
Some get into trouble while air carving because they look at the "trouble" (trough or face of the bump they are landing into). I prefer looking at the landing point to the Apex of the turn (the outermost point of the turn). This approach helps me in starting to shape the turn from above the gravity line, rather than at the bottom of the turn (below the gravity line).
And the skier may do as many air carves as they want to on a run, but I find putting a few here and there adds to the fun and spontaneity.
I look forward to hearing of your experiments in Air Carving.
to your sliding success,
Jonathan Lawson
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