What is 'return to centre' in skiing?

Return to centre is a fundamental skiing principle that involves re-establishing a balanced, centered position between turns. This technique ensures optimal weight distribution and control throughout the skiing motion.

Why is this 1999 article still relevant?

The biomechanics of skiing and principles of balance remain constant. This article represents timeless fundamental technique that forms the foundation of all advanced skiing, making it as relevant today as when it was written.

Archive article — British Alpine Ski School - BASS,English speaking ski schools

Return to Centre

BASS website 1999

Archive link : https://web.archive.org/web/20000522044556fw_/http://www.britishskischool.com/endorsef.htm

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Balancing on skis is a continuous process of trying to regain the centre of your feet, despite being buffeted by the uneven terrain, the changing snow textures and the turns that you are making.

The trick is to develop the habit of balancing on the whole length of the sole of your foot, with pressure being shared equally between the ball and heel. You might find it helpful to think of Centering your balance underneath the arches, just like the old song. If you use moulded foot beds, (highly recommended) you will be able to feel this very positively, because your arch will be in contact with the insole of your boot.

Once centred balancing has become established in your skiing, and it can start at the very beginning of your first day on skis, you will feel very stable on your skis on smooth pistes and during long or medium radius turns.

Advanced skiers, though, often deliberately give up the stability of being centred to solve specific technical problems. For example, a skier who is centred as he approaches a bump is likely to be pitched forwards, out of balance, when the tips of his skis hit the bump. A better mogul skier will push his feet forwards, in front of his body, to anticipate the impact, so that he becomes pitched firmly against his arches by the bump.

Racers often use a different form of `Foot forward' technique. One of the ways in which a racer tries to assist the carving action of his skis is by sliding his feet forward during the turn. In this way, at the beginning of the turn, the ski is mainly pressed upon by the ball of the foot. At the end of the turn, the ski is pressed upon mainly by the heel, with the foot being `sliced forward' through the turn.

Skiers have to use this technique very skilfully, so that they don't stray too far from centre. Another advantage of this technique is that it allows the use of the stiff tail section of the ski at the end of the turn. This can create a very snappy rebound which propels the feet into the next turn. It's quite a specialised technique, so if you try it, always remember the words of that other old song and `Return to centre' as soon as you get the chance.