How To Carve On Skis? Ski Editor Reviews The Digital Ski Coach Carv 2

How would you like to have your own private ski instructor on the slopes giving personalised feedback for every run? Now you can, with the Carv 2 .

I had been skiing with the original version of Carv for two seasons and found it both addictive and beneficial to my skillset. So what’s new about the latest version, Carv 2?

The most obvious change is no more sensor footbeds and cables, this makes the initial setup 10 times easier. Now just charge the Carv 2 sensors and clip them on the power strap of your boots (you can easily swap from boot to boot), download the app and you’re ready to carve.

 

How have they managed this you may ask? With a growing database of over half a billion turns from the previous version, the Carv bots have been able to extrapolate all the motion and pressure sensor data produced by the old footbed mounted sensors by using their large model motion AI software and incorporate the motion and acceleration sensors in the redesigned battery packs, which weigh just 47g apiece, along with Bluetooth for connection to your phone and GPS for location on the hill.

The end result is a far simpler installation and improved accuracy over the previous version of 6 percent. Neat!

So, just how do you use Carv 2? First off, once the app is downloaded and you’ve paired the sensors (an easy talk-through in the app) and put an earbud in, simply press the 'Ski' button at the bottom of the opening page, you can then choose which mode you’d like to use. This can be as simple as letting the app run all day and reviewing the data at the après bar, or as I do, choose to have your Ski:IQ read out after every run.

What’s this Ski:IQ? Ski:IQ is based on the average of all the data metrics on all the turns of that run and is typically from around 100 for first-time users right up to 170+ for skiing gods!

There are eight Ski:IQ levels right now:

• Downhill Diamond: 80+
• Turn Trailblazer: 90+
• Slope Specialist: 100+
• Peak Pioneer: 110+
• Line Legend: 120+
• Alpine Ace: 130+
• Mountain Master: 140+
• Grim Ripper: 150+
• Shred Zepplin: 160+
• Mountain GOAT: 170+

It’s a great feeling when you 'Level-Up' as it gets announced in your ear! There are 10 metrics being constantly monitored, from turn shape, max edge angle and even G-force. Also you can review each metric turn by turn for a deeper dive into the metrics.

The graphic for each data page shows exact turn shape, edge change, G-force and more, along with a suggested target for your current ski level and ability. Also you can click on how to improve each metric with a brief description and video.

Another cool feature with the latest version is automatic detection of terrain, ie groomed, bumps or powder. Also slope angle is now displayed for every run. There’s the choice of training modes built in including 'Train with an Olympian' (Ted Ligety) and various challenges such as maximum turns in 30 seconds and more.

You can see your ranking worldwide and locally at your own hill. There are currently 66,535 users live on the global leaderboard. There’s a load of data to crunch if you’re that way inclined (I am!), along with audio feedback or you can simply let it run and review at your leisure.

Carv has massively improved my on-piste skiing over the past three years and boosted my enjoyment of skiing when there’s no fresh snow to rip! There are a couple of us here in Serre Chevalier who have Carv and it’s fun to have a Carvoff.

So, can Carv 2 replace lessons? In my mind no, but in conjunction with the occasional pro lesson to analyse what you’re doing, which Carv can’t see, and/or get video feedback by getting a friend to film you, you can combine the two teaching aspects to vastly improve your carving skills and watch your progress from Downhill Diamond right up to and past Grim Ripper.

STYLE ALTITUDE has no affiliate arrangement with any brand or retailer and will not profit from any sales made through links in this feature.