Why can't I turn left?!

I've been skiing for about 5 years, a handful of times each year. I've never had any formal instruction, just kind of picked up what I could from friends. I'd say right now I'm at an intermediate level, but I'm having a frustrating time with making left turns. For whatever reason I can't seem to "force" my left ski to turn left on the snow...I literally have to lift my boot up off the ground and re-plant the ski to get it parallel with my right ski. I have no problems with either ski when turning right.

I feel like this is hampering my progress because I have so little confidence in my left turns as compared to my right ones. I tried to get some advice from my expert skier friends, they watched me carve a few turns but couldn't offer up much more than saying "huh, that's strange, you shouldn't be lifting your leg like that".

Any advice?

skiNH09 wrote:I've been skiing for about 5 years, a handful of times each year. I've never had any formal instruction, just kind of picked up what I could from friends. I'd say right now I'm at an intermediate level, but I'm having a frustrating time with making left turns. For whatever reason I can't seem to "force" my left ski to turn left on the snow...I literally have to lift my boot up off the ground and re-plant the ski to get it parallel with my right ski. I have no problems with either ski when turning right.

I feel like this is hampering my progress because I have so little confidence in my left turns as compared to my right ones. I tried to get some advice from my expert skier friends, they watched me carve a few turns but couldn't offer up much more than saying "huh, that's strange, you shouldn't be lifting your leg like that".

Any advice?

Expert friends-Lolz.

Without seeing exactly what you are doing it is hard to pin point a fix, do you have video of your skiing, or even a photo of you skiing? Otherwise pay for some lessons, it is very likely that it will be a simple thing that can be sorted straight off and it will be worth the money. Try and think about what you do differently turning left from right in terms of stance and balance (where you are bent and not bent as the case may be).

Im No Genius but maybe this is the problem "I've never had any formal instruction"

Your the man Jonah but it can be expensive so a lot of folks end up being taught by friends/relatives!

Anyways I can almost say for certain that it will be a relatively simple fix!

Isn't it quite common to have a more dominant side. I know if I have to stop quickly I always favour my right ski as downhill ski, but I think that might be due to previous injuries

It is very common to have a more dominant side and a side you favour just like kicking a ball or swinging a golf club!

Strong to the point of being able to turn one direction completely and not turn the other is not so normal but it is definitely something that will be easily addressed.

Just a thought - but on a recent trip my husband tried a different pair of boots. After a day of absolute frustration because he just couldn't turn left, he gave up and went back to his usual boots. Problem solved! It seemed to be something to do with the cant of the other boots?

skiNH09 wrote:I've been skiing for about 5 years, a handful of times each year. I've never had any formal instruction, just kind of picked up what I could from friends. I'd say right now I'm at an intermediate level, but I'm having a frustrating time with making left turns. For whatever reason I can't seem to "force" my left ski to turn left on the snow...I literally have to lift my boot up off the ground and re-plant the ski to get it parallel with my right ski. I have no problems with either ski when turning right.

I feel like this is hampering my progress because I have so little confidence in my left turns as compared to my right ones. I tried to get some advice from my expert skier friends, they watched me carve a few turns but couldn't offer up much more than saying "huh, that's strange, you shouldn't be lifting your leg like that".

Any advice?

Do you pole plant to initiate the turn ?, is your downhill ski weighted ?, a left hand pole plant will transfer your weight to the right ski which in turn will turn you left, your weight should then be on the downhill ski awaiting you next pole plant and turn.