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 17

Where: Roundhill, Mt. Dobson, Coronet Peak, Remarkables

Contact: Dane Spencer [email protected]

⛷️ 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.com

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In this episode, I sit down with four-time Olympian Emma Carrick-Anderson for a powerful conversation about skiing, parenting, and coaching at the elite level. Emma shares how her philosophy has shifted from the traditional, form-focused training she experienced as an athlete to a more exploratory, feel-based approach—one that she and her husband, Phil Smith, used to raise their children who are now knocking on the door of the World Cup circuit.

We talk about:

 • Why developing feel and versatility on the mountain trumps chasing a perfect-looking turn

 • How Emma’s Olympic background shapes her parenting and coaching

 • Equipment insights, including the flatter vs. supportive footbed debate

 • Practical takeaways for parents, coaches, and everyday skiers

Whether you’re raising young skiers, coaching others, or simply looking to improve your own skiing, Emma’s experience and insight offer something valuable.

Links Mentioned:

 • Previous episode with Phil Smith – https://youtu.be/-7xcCHbiEcA?si=UaAzgJhLtuFalmH7

 • Follow the boys at Team Carrick-Smith on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/teamcarricksmith?igsh=MTZqOTdlZ2ZrZ3Vzaw==

 • Learn more at Big Picture Skiing - https://bigpictureskiing.com/catalog

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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.

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Find out more about what’s coming in next year’s ski boot designs! Tom Gellie chats with boot fitter Brent Amsbury about the trends and innovations he’s noticing. And it’s more than just adding another BOA adjustment to ski boots.

Stay tuned later in the episode for Brent’s tips on boot cuffs. He and Tom both emphasize how crucial it is to get the cuff to fit your lower leg properly.

If you enjoyed this episode, check out the extensive library of podcast episodes on the Big Picture Skiing Podcast. You can listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0lgVxParu1F2dJVGrE5Leg) or Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/big-picture-skiing-podcast/id969434674)

Thanks,

Tom

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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/369NT9JdpmCcFIvju9J6mp

APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/locked-in-shed-ski-coaching-podcast/id1518316563

For 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/

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In this episode of the Big Picture Skiing Podcast, three Carv team members – Charlie, lead data scientist; Alex, head of marketing; and John, head of product – reveal how Carv is transforming skiing with real-time feedback technology. From its beginnings as a pressure-sensing insole, Carv has evolved into a powerful device that attaches to ski boots, now able to deliver precise, terrain-specific feedback across groomers, moguls, and powder. Join us as we uncover the technical breakthroughs that made this possible, from sensor fusion to machine learning, and hear each guest’s unique perspective on how Carv’s innovations bring skiers at all levels closer to mastering their craft. Whether you’re a recreational skier or chasing high performance, Carv is reshaping the way we learn and improve on the slopes – making skiing a continuous journey of discovery.

👀 Checkout CARV https://getcarv.com/

⛷️ Become a student of Tom Gellie’s through the Big Picture Skiing learning platform. Podcast listeners can use code PODCAST to take 25% off a membership! There is a 7 day free trial to let you find out if its for you.

https://bigpictureskiing.com/

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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/Website

Podcast 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/insidefootactivation

Join a Big Picture Skiing Camp with Demelza and Tom https://bigpictureskiing.com/pages/skicamps

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In this episode, I sit down with veteran boot fitter and former ski shop owner Lou Rosenfeld to dive into the art of customizing ski boots for the perfect fit. With years of experience, Lou shares expert insights on how the right boot adjustments can significantly enhance your skiing experience.

We debunk common misconceptions, like opting for larger boots to relieve pressure points, and explore why starting with a snug fit is key. Lou discusses essential modifications for bunions, toe length discrepancies, and heel spurs, showing how professional adjustments can boost both comfort and performance.

From reshaping the forefoot to solving calf issues, Lou explains how custom fitting can transform high-performance boots for any skier. This episode is packed with tips on achieving the perfect ski boot setup for a comfortable day on the slopes.

A big thanks to Ski West, Calgary for letting us use their Big Press for the video examples. https://www.skiwest.ca

Want to see the recording where Lou shows the modifications? Checkout the YouTube version of the podcast here https://youtu.be/VCz5NyVUqKg?si=xJbLnItXdQG7asMx

⭐️ Links:

-Contact Lou about buying a press or any questions: [email protected]

-IAESS https://iaess.org

-Big Picture Skiing Merchandise https://big-picture-skiing.myshopify.com

-Big Picture Skiing Boot Fit Guide https://bigpictureskiing.com/pages/bps-boot-guide

• ⛷️ 25% off coupon code! Want to Join the most comprehensive ski improvement platform for skiing? Big Picture Skiing? Tom curates all videos to make the learning experience as good as him coaching you in person, but at a fraction of the cost! Improve all types of ski turns making you a master of the whole mountain. And podcast listeners can claim 25% off ANY membership plan using code PODCAST making the annual deal great value and a fraction of the cost of a private lesson. Plus you can utilise the strength and mobility videos in the pre season period and off season to stay mobile and strong.

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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 Zealand

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In this episode, I chat with Sasha Rearick, former World Cup coach of the US ski team and head coach at Apex 2100. We explore Sasha’s innovative ecological approach to ski coaching, focusing on how athletes adapt their techniques based on environmental constraints. Sasha shares insights on regional skiing styles, the importance of separating movements like "counter" and "anticipation," and the value of embracing mistakes as part of the learning process. This conversation is packed with valuable lessons for both skiers and coaches looking to refine their techniques.

We discuss a drill Sasha likes to use called “Evers” Drill named after Andy Evers. This is a link to an Instagram video of that drill performed by AJ Ginnis https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8kpKbfoTIH/?igsh=MXczdTNnZDM3cXkweQ==

CHAPTERS:

00:00:00 introduction

00:02:11 What is the ecological approach to learning?

00:11:15 Degrees of freedom

00:18:15 Constraints and tasks for learning

00:28:11 The importance of mistakes in learning

00:31:35 Overcoming embarrassment

00:37:39 Upper and lower body separation

00:43:24 “Evers” Drill

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