Using the snow and terrain When confronted by the deeper powder, it is a good idea to have an idea of the type of snow as well as, of course, the avalanche risk. When the powder is light and dry, it is relatively easy to move your feet and skis and also to build up speed. This can have a strange effect on your balance at first, but it is the easiest type of powder to learn in. If you get two or more feet of the light and dry it becomes a little more complicated. A heavier snow pack is more work and requires the skier to commit to a greater degree when entering the turn.
Speed becomes even more important as the resistance is much greater than in the light snow.
Note that after fresh snow and winds, light snow collects in hollows, leaving ridges bare and hard. Read the terrain and the surface texture of the snow before throwing yourself headlong into the big white. The Moves Use the shape of your turn, combined with knowledge of the snow layer and pitch of terrain to control your speed of descent. To do this you would extend your legs out to the side as you steer your skis into the fall line and then sink your tails as you turn out of the fall line. Extend the arc until you are ready for your next turn.