Big Picture Skiing Podcast

In this episode, I chat with Olympian Erik Schlopy about all things skiing—from gear setup to what most people are missing in their carving. We also get into his coaching philosophy, how he’s helping his own son progress, and some great drills you can try to build better balance and control on snow.It’s a deeper, more refined conversation than our last one, and there’s heaps of gold in here for anyone serious about improving their skiing.🎿 Interested in training with Erik in person?He’s running a race camp this August in New Zealand. It’s open to keen ski racers with 5 spots only left.📍 Dates: July 27 Depart USA until August 17Where: Roundhill, Mt. Dobson, Coronet Peak, RemarkablesContact: Dane Spencer wangwong77@gmail.com⛷️ If you’re self driven intermediate to expert skier and also enjoy working at your own pace, Big Picture Skiing is your go-to resource. Inside, you’ll find in-depth tutorials, movement breakdowns, and drills designed to help you make real improvements—whether it’s refining your carving, building better control, or understanding the “why” behind great skiing.“As everyone else has said, Big Picture Skiing is such an awesome resource that makes complex skills really accessible with great explanations, demos and even cue cards to remind myself what I’m shooting for.” - Karolis🎯 Start your journey to better skiing here: https://www.bigpictureskiing.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, I sit down with Phil Smith, founder of Snoworks and one of the most forward-thinking ski coaches in the game.Phil shares a powerful shift in perspective around speed control — moving away from rigid technical cues and instead focusing on the concept of snow displacement. This insight alone can change the way you think about skiing steeps, bumps, and variable snow.We also dive into what it really means to become a versatile all-mountain skier. Phil talks about skiing “open,” embracing the mountain, and moving beyond the narrow lens of measured technique. His philosophy is refreshing, especially for skiers who want to break out of the on-piste mindset and truly explore.Whether you’re a coach, instructor, or passionate skier, you’ll walk away from this episode with new ideas to experiment with next time you’re on snow.Enjoyed this discussion? Check out www.bigpictureskiing.com and join the thousands of other skiers improving their skiing like never before.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode is for all the ski coaches and instructors out there, because let’s be honest—we all get a huge thrill from seeing our students progress and improve. With that goal in mind, I invited two experts on the topic of task-based learning to help us refine our teaching techniques. John Shedden and Richard Barbour share some incredible wisdom, built on years of experience teaching skiers and coaching others to do the same.If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll definitely want to check out the Locked in Shed Podcast with Richard Barbour interviewing John Shedden. It’s packed with more insights for ski coaches.Find it on Spotify here:SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/369NT9JdpmCcFIvju9J6mpAPPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/locked-in-shed-ski-coaching-podcast/id1518316563For ski coaches—and keen skiers—looking to solve their skiing challenges, check out my online learning platform, Big Picture Skiing.I’ve created a massive library of videos covering everything from improving your mogul skiing to follow-along body prep workouts, and even setting up your ski boots properly. I share everything I’ve learned over the years striving to become the best skier I can be, along with insights I’ve picked up from the industry’s smartest minds.Special offer for podcast listeners: Get 25% off any membership using the code PODCAST. Plus, you can try out the platform free for 7 days to see if it’s right for you.👉 https://bigpictureskiing.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend and former Australian demo team member, Demelza Clay, to dive into the often-overlooked topic of inside leg mechanics during carve turns at high edge angles. Demelza shares her recovery journey from an ACL injury, explaining how it forced her to relearn movement patterns and ultimately ski better than ever.We explore how her skiing mechanics shifted post-rehab, particularly the "whipping" sensation she felt in high-edge turns. Video analysis revealed a stance wider than her hips, sparking adjustments in her balance and stability. This led to valuable insights into how the relationship between the inside knee and hip can impact performance.We challenge conventional skiing norms and discuss how experimenting with technique can lead to breakthroughs. The episode wraps with practical drills like crab walks and "in-rigger" exercises to help listeners refine their inside leg movements and improve their overall skiing performance.🎦 Videos mentioned in the podcast on the Big Picture Skiing App/WebsitePodcast listeners can claim a 25% off coupon on any membership to Big Picture Skiing:- The Pistol Squat in Your Ski Turns https://bigpictureskiing.com/programs/the-pistol-squat-ski- Rolling The Inside Knee https://bigpictureskiing.com/programs/rolltheknees- Activation Of The Inside Foot https://bigpictureskiing.com/programs/insidefootactivationJoin a Big Picture Skiing Camp with Demelza and Tom https://bigpictureskiing.com/pages/skicampsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, I speak with Christian Haas, Fischer's product manager, about the complexities of ski design and construction. We explore how material combinations, thickness, and profile shape define a ski's performance, with differences between racing and rental skis. Christian discusses the Fischer RC4 CT ski (a favorite of mine), highlighting its advanced construction for stability and edge grip. We also delve into bending lines and their impact on stiffness and ski responsiveness.Christian emphasizes the companies open mind attitude and passion for innovation. You will hear first hand about Fischer's noise technology, designed to reduce vibrations for smoother skiing at the end of the episode.About Big Picture Skiing and Tom Gellie:Big Picture Skiing is about sharing insights from experts in the ski industry. Helping skiers discover the missing pieces to what will help them realise their best skiing. I share these insights through a free Podcast, YouTube Channel and for those wanting to dive deeper, a video library membership containing hundreds of tutorials and lessons that solve your skiing problems. If you enjoyed this episode of the podcast please consider subscribing to help us continue to talk with other interesting guests. Or take a look at the continually growing Big Picture Skiing website https://bigpictureskiing.com/I can offer podcast listeners 25% off any subscription using the code PODCAST at checkout.“Big Picture Skiing offers a vast and varied video library that is on the one hand so comprehensive in its breadth and depth of information, but on the other surprisingly easy to learn from and retain given Tom and teams exceptional teaching style and well curated videos. I’ve been a member of the community for a couple of years, and have seen such drastic improvements not only in my own skiiing, but in my fundamental understanding of technique, equipment and tactics in any given terrain. For those who want to improve, have a thirst for knowledge, and quite simply for those who enjoy watching brilliant skiing demonstrations, I can’t recommend Big Picture Skiing highly enough.” Andy, New ZealandAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, my good friend Demelza Clay takes over the hosting duties to dive into my background and experiences. We kick things off by talking about my shift from ski instructing to studying body movement, inspired by a session with Claudia. This led me to explore structural integration therapy, which I started sharing with ski instructors, and it was amazing to see their movements and performance improve.We also chat about how I started sharing content online through videos and how that has evolved over the years. Our conversation touches on the impact of timing and unique educational experiences, like my time at a Steiner school, on shaping our views in the ski industry. It's all about giving you a deeper understanding of how I blend skiing and bodywork.Reflecting on my journey of seeking out-of-the-box learning experiences, we talk about the importance of following your curiosity and exploring different teaching methods. I share how I draw inspiration from various sources and stress the value of collaboration and continuous learning to refine my coaching techniques. Plus, I talk about my plans to create more focused instructional videos and improve my mogul skiing skills, with conversations with industry experts and launching this podcast being key parts of that.We also discuss starting the podcast to share ideas, even though the audio quality was pretty rough at first. It's been a great way to broaden my understanding of the ski industry and appreciate diverse viewpoints. I emphasize the importance of goodwill when approaching others and how the podcast helps spread valuable information. Balancing free content with the need to generate income is a big topic, and I draw inspiration from industry leaders like Carve and those pushing technological boundaries in skiing. We even consider the idea of introducing beginner mogul runs and obstacle courses at resorts to enrich skiing experiences, encouraging skiers to embrace all aspects of skiing with intention and a focus on improvement.Further into the discussion, we explore the benefits of skiing in varied conditions and how it can boost your skills. Mastering diverse techniques like moguls and bumps can really elevate your overall skiing. We stress the importance of ongoing learning and adaptation in skiing, trusting your body, and exploring resources like books and studies on body movement. Topics like footbeds, boot setups, and pattern recognition in skiing highlight the value of a holistic approach to skiing and making informed decisions to optimize performance.00:00:00 Flipping the Chairs00:01:09 A Break from Skiing00:35:31 Shortening Video Content00:38:35 Mogul Skiing Motivation00:41:56 Starting the Podcast00:51:42 The Power of Podcasts and Sharing Ideas00:55:16 Enhancing Coaching with Technology01:01:40 The Evolution of Online Ski Classes01:02:37 The Importance of Mogul Skiing01:06:19 Maximizing Skiing Enjoyment on Any Day01:09:52 Using Legs as Shock Absorbers01:14:10 Uncovering Hidden Insights in Skiing01:16:06 Trusting Your Body in Skiing01:17:27 The Importance of Ski Boot Setup01:19:13 Recognizing Patterns in SkiingWant a session with Claudia Sorenson the lady who changed my life with Structural Integration: https://www.claudiasorensen.com/Like the Skiing Skeleton cap Tom is wearing? You can get your own here: https://big-picture-skiing.myshopify.com/Want access to the biggest library of ski technique videos designed to make you a better skier, click here: https://bigpictureskiing.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy