Why do skiers even when they're going straight like to go quickly left and right left and right?

Question

Instead of going straight and have your skiis parallel, why do they go left and right left and right over and over again even when going downhill on a straight route?

(I'm a newbie skier by the way) i was watching some videos on youtube and just wondered why they would do that as opposed to just going straight.

Thanks

Answer 1

That quick left and right is sometimes called a short swing turn. It controls your speed. On most slopes your speed would just keep increasing if you skied straight down the fall line. Another reason is the fun factor. Otherwise surfers would just surf straight along the wave all the time. Also, when you ski perfectly upright (with the skis flat on the snow), your skis may not have the stability they have when they are angled and you are using your edges. So you can feel more in control in a turn.

Answer 2

Turning back and forth is how you control your speed.

If you just bomb straight downhill on a steep slope, you'll end up careening 100 miles an hour out of control.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

It is a matter of control. Going straight down you would pick upspeed and risk a crash. By turning you slow yourself down and mantain control.

Answer 4

Hurtling straight down a ski hill can get you going pretty quick ... turning on skis slows you down and is safer!

Answer 5

Taking turns give you control and add style to the run. if you g straight down a hill you can get  kicked out of the resort

Answer 6

they go in zig-zags because that makes them go slower and if you go to fast you can fall and it is hard to get back up

Answer 7

The continuous turns from side to side allow the skier to increase speed and to control their skiis by turning. This also allows the skier to slow and stop under control.

Answer 8

Just keep your feet steady. If there loose, then you will move a lot.  Keep your feet steady.

Answer 9

turning also allows the skis to be used as they are designed, to carve turns.

Answer 10

well if u dont u will go pretty quick and not be able to stop or u will crash, but it makes it easier to stop and turn and not crash into someone else.

Ps if u crash into someone it hurts just as bad as if u hit a snowbank