Toooooooooooooo Fast

Simple question... had about eight weeks on mountains so far and happy on most slopes but have a problem when it gets a bit steep.

I try to do quick carved turns but just can't seem to get round quick enough before I'm accelerating at some crazy speed down the hill. I either explode after two turns or end up in a traverse at some mad speed (you should see the looks on peoples faces as I schuss the moguls... going across the slope!).

What am I doing wrong???

Thanks, Steve

It's very difficult to make quick turns facing the fall line in steep terrain. I would suggest practicing the transition between turns on a lower grade. Really concentrate on your weight and feeling the ski come out of one turn and into the next. As you become more comfortable peforming transitions quicker you can take that skill back to the steeper terrain.

Maybe using your edges more would help. I just took a lesson for the first time in years, and the instructor told me to tilt my feet -- in other words, lift up the big toe on one foot while lifting the pinkie toe on the other -- to get the edges. He said to "ski with your feet". He thinks most skiers forget that and concentrate on putting their body in different positions. I concentrated on "skiing with my feet" and found I was in more control of my speed. It hadn't been a particular problem of mine, but the more control I have, the better. Now if I can just figure out how to ski moguls better!

It sounds like you are really carving. That is no skidding and loosing speed that way. Speed control when carving comes from turning back across the hill and completing the turn in a way most skidding skiers do not. At first you will need plenty of room and a gentle slope. Wait for the run to clear so you don't have to worry about other people. Make full turns comming back across the hill each time. As said above, try to transition from edge to edge as early as possible. Loading the ski tips and extending your legs to bend the skis will tighten things up. It does take time and practice.
Watch for Old schoolers comming down behind you. They have no clue what real carving is and can not anticipate your traverse speeds.

Trencher

Totally agree with trencher, think about mabye even lengthing your turn , but hanging on to the carve longer and turning the end into a skid come check come bounce into the next turn. this way you will manage to scub off more speed. Pionts to remember: try to keep your body facing as straightdown the slope as possible, this will help you keep your balance and not allow you to end up with your balance to the rear, which garantees acceleration. Pole plants must be reasonably wide and well in front, this is because the terrain is steep, and not doing this will put you in the back seat, i.e. more speed. Don't be scared to attack and lean down the slope, odds are you will not fall over the front of your skis, the natural attack angle for a steep slope is further foward than you think. Stance shoulder wide, gives the ability to absord unexepected bumps and troughs , particully in flat light. The whole exercise is abort maintaining decent speed, as a personal question; how hard do you edge to brake and pull up at the end of your run for the queue, think of incorporting speed decrease on the slope before you find yourself going to fast. personal past tip if the whole thing turns to shit pull up and start again,tryong to recover from and out of control run is not easy stop compose start the run again.

All of the above responses are "dead on" and you should not worry too much about what you can and cannot do. Just ski and enjoy it. Take a lesson occasionally to stay calibrated on what you are trying to accomplish and you will get there just fine. It just takes time and practice.

All of the above are excellent suggestions.
May I add one more.

Proficient skiing starts with the brain!
Do not ski "the expert runs" until you are ready to "accept" the speed!
It may sound illogical to you now but trust me, as you pick up more speed, your movements must be more precise and slower, finer more discrete!
You must anticipate well ahead what to do.
You have not mastered it yet!
Yes I know it thrills you to be on the edge but if you do not practice your technique you will hurt yourself.
You do not learn to drive a car on a Grand Pix race course!