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Parallel turns are the part of the parallel skiing technique that involves maneuvering into a turn while maintaining parallel form. In parallel skiing the skis are held very close together if not touching so as to maximize speed, style and agility on the slopes. Utilizing the following tips can help yield a thorough mastery of the parallel and parallel turn on skis. Essentially, mastering the parallel turn involves learning intermediate techniques, becoming familiar with the parallel method, preferably with a lesson, and then practicing and on easier green and blue slopes before moving onto harder black diamond slopes.

First Master Intermediate Techniques:

There really is not much point to attempting the parallel technique without first mastering the intermediate technique. The reason being is the intermediate techniques are all useful when parallel skiing. For example, edging, the inner ski lift, torso and head positioning, and pole planting are all intermediate skills that are also used in parallel skiing. For this reason, mastering the intermediate techniques first can make learning parallel skiing quite quick thereafter.

Parallel on a Green Circle or Blue Square Slope First:

When first practicing parallel skiing, doing so on a green circle and then blue square slope can help one focus on the movements and positioning of the skis without having to worry too much about compromising the slope terrain. The easier slopes will help one perfect the form and balance required for parallel turns. A non icy but moderate incline is helpful as the parallel turn is actually sometimes easier to do at faster speeds as because the momentum of the skis can lower the force required for the outward push of the turn.

Memorize and Try the Turn Several Times:

Specifically, this form involves holding the skis together, pole planting on the side of the turn and then lifting the inner ski slightly as the outer ski shifts into the turn. It is not unusual for the bottoms of the ski to taste air when turning. The turns themselves should not really be rounded but rather a re-positioning of direction i.e. the front of the skis will temporarily take on a moderate angle shift into the direction of the turn and then quickly straighten out or proceed directly into the next turn depending on how tight and close together one wants the turns to be.

Take a Lesson from a More Experienced Skier:

It can always be a good idea to take a technique lesson from a more experienced or advanced skier. Even if one is already a good skier, a better skier can make sure one's style and technique is advantageous to the most optimal skiing in terms of form, grace, skill and agility. All that may be needed is one lesson for every new technique and then a few runs on the slopes to master it.

Parallel turns are usually quick, tight and fast moving turns in which the skis are temporarily redirected all the while being held in close proximity while the skier bends the knees slightly and then re-extends into the turn. Parallel turns rely quite heavily on edging and edge out rather than around while changing directly. The parallel turn technique is a post intermediate skiing technique that combines structured form with speed, and aggressive nimbleness on the slopes to create what is known as parallel skiing.

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