Ski Technique - From "Wedeln" to Freeriding

Text: Wolfgang Heinzl | Photos: Andreas Putz & Snowsports Academy

Freeriding – a highly addictive discipline in skiing, associated with freedom, fun, and action, which is enjoying ever-increasing popularity. How do you succeed? What should you pay attention to? And what exactly does it have to do with "Wedeln"?

Admittedly, the word "Wedeln" is a bit outdated, but as a ski instructor, I'm still asked about it all the time. Wedeln was the skiing technique made world-famous and perfected by Professor Stefan Kruckenhauser, which, from the 1950s onward, became firmly established in many minds as the ideal of elegant skiing.

A so-called "twisting technique," characterized by an upper body rotation opposite to the direction of the turn, was just as characteristic as the narrow ski position and a high unweighting, which allowed for the simultaneous "sideways shifting" of the heels. In fact, the wedeln technique is no longer found in the current Austrian ski curriculum, but has evolved into "dynamic parallel ski steering – short radii." The essential difference in skiing technique now lies in the fact that the design of modern skis allows for a different turn radius. Unlike the wedeln technique, where, to put it simply, speed was controlled in the fall line by a windshield-wiper-like movement of the skis and corresponding drift phases, this task is now accomplished by steering the edged ski along its sidecut. The result is a turn that, while not carved in the sense of a slalom racer, produces a significantly rounder track with a larger radius than the wedeln technique, thanks to the sidecut and edge angle. When skiing dynamically, the "house rule" requires a track width on the slope that roughly corresponds to the width of a snowcat track (approx. 5 meters).

In the age of freeriding and wide powder skis, all of this seems rather irrelevant. And for the hardcore freerider who only leaves home for untouched slopes above the tree line when the powder is fresh, this may be partly true. However, if the snowpack and terrain don't match this ideal, most challenges can be overcome very elegantly and with minimal effort using short turns. This also makes it possible to make quick changes of direction in tight spaces. Furthermore, you still need much less space – just like with traditional wind-cutting – than with long, sweeping freeride turns, something that other skiers on untouched powder slopes also appreciate.

From the perspective of a passionate ski instructor, mastering good short-radius turning technique is therefore essential for all variations of skiing, especially those that don't take place on groomed slopes. In other words: Anyone seeking the experience and perhaps the challenge of off-piste skiing should first master the necessary technique to be able to immerse themselves safely and enjoyably in nature while freeriding.

In conclusion, it can be said that freeriding is one of the most beautiful disciplines in skiing, but the "perfect" descent requires a solid foundation of technical skills, which can be learned primarily by perfecting short turns on the groomed slopes. Once you've mastered the technique and are "surfing" down the mountain in deep powder, the feeling is unlike anything else in the world.

Things to consider when working with short radii:

1) Middle position & Alpine Basic Position

The basic skiing techniques outlined in the Austrian ski curriculum form the foundation, just as with any other skiing technique. The goal is a flexible, balanced stance that adapts appropriately to the slope angle and speed during turns.

2) Body tension

Even if demonstrated with effortless ease by an expert: Short radii require good core stability and therefore adapted body tension to enable a rhythmic ride.

3) Speed control

The pace must always be adjusted to one's own ability and safety considerations. However, the required dynamics of this cornering technique also necessitate a basic speed that depends on the slope's gradient, which is essential for its execution.

4) Economical driving style

The rhythmic use of short turns leads to increased stability during the descent and a more economical, energy-saving skiing style. Experienced skiers, in particular, can thus cover significantly longer distances and execute more consecutive turns. This can be attributed to the alternating tension and relaxation of the muscles. The more skilled a skier, the longer the relaxation phase, also known as unwinding. As soon as the skis are edged and steered again, the forces increase, which are counteracted by muscle tension. With optimal execution, the skier experiences a feeling of weightlessness, allowing the descent to be mastered with playful ease.