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One of the biomechanical principles of skiing¹ (as well as other action sports) is the notion of impulse: an object will continue on its current trajectory, with the current speed until it is impulsed, see Impulse_(physics).

An impulse is a force applied over a period of time. Both the intensity of the force and the duration of application define the resulting impulse.

Generating and using the impulse is a huge area of interest. Here are just a few of the interesting topics:

• ways of generating and extracting impulse
• strength of the impulse
• direction of the impulse
• timing of using the impulse

For instance, we can dissipate energy through slow sliding or via a short strong hockey stop. We can change direction over a long smooth turn or through a very short, energetic turn.

There are many ways to get impulse in skiing and they're mostly from the interaction with the snow. Here are some of the many ways to look at impulse:

• impulse up vs down, from an extension release vs a flexed release
• impulse laterally, to move the body across the hill, from the apex
• impulse aft (jamming, braking) vs forward (skating, gravity)

In general, when we look at creating and using impulse in ski racing, we refer to impulsing the body in the direction of travel which is down the slope and laterally across to the next turn. The ability to create good impulse, but no more than is needed, is one trait of good racers and expert skiers.

Lateral impulse

There is tremendous energy when the skis bend and turn across the hill - the release is the process by which some of this energy is absorbed and some is used to create an impulse and send the body across the hill, towards the new turn.

Racing and high performance

There are several important aspects of using the impulse in high-performance skiing.

Racing considerations

See Impulse and line⁺⁺.

Related concepts:

• Carving
• Counterbalancing and Angulation
• Counteraction and Coiling

Sessions:

• Carving outside ski to outside ski
• More tipping is carving
• Bending the skis

Start improving your carving

References:

• CSCF Canadian approach to ski racing ¹

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