Professional Ski Instructors Of America (PSIA) Level 2 Practice Exam

The javelin turn describes a turning action where the inside leg is lifted and its ski crosses in front of the outside ski, remaining suspended through the arc while the outside leg and ski carry the weight. This creates that distinctive cross-over, javelin-like motion and a clean, extended arc with the inside ski not actively on the snow during the turn. It’s the best term here because it specifically captures the lifted, crossing inside ski behavior described, unlike garlands (linked turns with an ongoing rhythm), gliding (minimal edge engagement), or pressure (a concept about weight distribution rather than a type of turn). In practice, the javelin turn helps with balance, timing, and edge control by letting the outside leg steer while the inside leg stays extended and elevated through the turn.