How to Telemark Kick Turn
If you have ever been stuck with your ski tips on a rock, or you just want to change directions without losing altitude, try the kick turn. You can stand in one spot and turn your skis 180 degrees.
Instructions
-
- 1
-
2
Get balanced. Your skis are shoulder-width apart with one pole positioned on each side.
-
-
3
Lift the downhill ski so that the front of the ski is slightly higher than the back.
- 4
- 5
-
6
Plant the foot so that the ski is next to your other ski. You should now have two skis facing completely opposite directions.
-
7
Place all your weight on the ski you just rotated.
- 8
-
9
Rotate this leg so that both skis face the same direction. When you lift this leg, it will naturally rotate part of the way due to your awkward body position.
- 10
Tips & Warnings
Rotating your feet 180 degrees may be impossible for you to do without skis. However, with skis your weight is spread throughout the whole ski instead of just over your foot, making this move complicated but possible.
Practice this move on flat slopes before you attempt it on steeper ones.
This move will feel awkward at first, since your feet don't face the same direction.
Quickly rotate your second foot or your feet will be in a duck-like stance that makes it hard to maintain your balance.