Req 7a7 — Christies

A christie (also spelled “christy” or “Christie”) is a turn where both skis are brought parallel to each other during the finish of the turn. It is the bridge between wedge skiing and full parallel skiing, and demonstrating christies on a moderate (blue square) slope shows your counselor that your skills are progressing.

What a Christie Is

In a wedge christie, you begin the turn with a wedge (like the turns you have been doing), but partway through the turn you bring the downhill ski parallel to the uphill ski, finishing in a matched, parallel position. The two skis are parallel — “christied together” — at the completion of the turn.

As your skill develops, the wedge at the start gets smaller and smaller until it effectively disappears, and you are skiing in full parallel.

How to Execute a Christie

1. Start from a gliding wedge, moving across the slope (traverse).
2. Initiate the turn by steering with the uphill ski, just as you would in a wedge turn.
3. As the turn progresses, bring the downhill (inside) ski parallel to the turning ski. This happens naturally as you shift weight to the outside ski.
4. Finish the turn with both skis parallel, edges set into the hill.
5. Transition to the next turn by beginning the next wedge initiation.

What Your Counselor Is Looking For

• Five to ten consecutive christies without stopping
• Both skis finishing each turn in a parallel position
• Control of speed and direction throughout
• Smooth transitions between turns on a blue-square (moderate) slope

Official Resources