Agood skier can ski on all four edges. That means using the inside (big toe) edge as well as the outside (little toe) edge.

The tipping foot (inside foot of the turn) usually is lightened and tipped to the little-toe side.

In today's exercise, you are learning to stand with complete weight and balance on the foot and ski that you usually lighten to tip.

This versatility can help you become a more balanced skier and will serve you well when you're skiing more difficult or less forgiving terrain.

In conditions such as deep crud, broken-up powder or snow that resembles wet cement, the ability to ski on all four edges can help give you greater control. (In the first two photos, the skier is starting this exercise from a traverse and turning into the hill. In the other three photos, the skier is making a complete turn on the uphill ski.)

1. Ski on the uphill foot

When you first try skiing on the uphill ski, do so going across the slope in a traverse. (And, as always, be sure to look uphill to avoid downhill traffic.) In this photo, the skier is skiing on the uphill foot and ski. The object is to tip the uphill ski to the little-toe edge by flexing the ankle and gently tipping the foot. This is more difficult than it looks because both weight and balance want to shift to the heel, which will hinder your ability to tip the foot. Maintain forward pressure by flexing the ankle.

(Hint: If your foot moves inside your boot, you'll have a hard time controlling the ski underfoot.)

2. Continue tipping

This exercise takes a bit of dexterity because you must have the strength to balance on one leg while tipping the foot to the little-toe edge. The key is to continue "feathering," or gently tipping, to the little-toe edge of the uphill ski. If you keep the flex in the ankle and continue tipping gently to the little-toe edge, you will turn into the hill. By contrast, using a hard edge set, with no slip of the ski, will have you rocketing across the slope with your weight and balance on your heel. Instead, keep your balance and maintain flex in your ankle for the control you need.

3. One-foot turn

The ultimate test of dexterity is your ability to make a turn on the uphill ski.

Usually, the emphasis would be on the big-toe edge of the right ski. In this photo, the downhill, or right, ski isn't touching the ground. By learning to use the little-toe edge of the left foot to make a turn, as in this example, you are learning to use the uphill edge of the ski.

When you learn to turn on one foot, start on a gentle run that is not too steep. Use the pole plant to move your body into the turn so your body is on the left side of both feet. Keep the flex in the ankle and balance over the ball and arch of the foot. Avoid allowing your weight to shift to your heel.

4. From the back

The pole plant is a stabilizing aid and also will act as an "outrigger" when the hips move to the uphill side (left in photo) of the foot. When learning to turn using only the uphill foot and ski, there are a few things to remember. Keep the flex in your ankle throughout. If your weight or balance shift to your heel, the ski will squirt out from underfoot. Maintain forward pressure by flexing your knee and leg into the front of the boot.

5. Finish the turn

In this photo, the skier is completing the turn on the uphill foot and ski. Notice that the hips are on the left side of the feet and skis and the ski pole is acting as an "outrigger" to enhance balance.

The more flex you have in your ankle, with your balance over the ball of the foot, the greater your ability to "feather the ski to the edge."

Craig McNeil is a certified Primary Movements instructor. To order his book, How to Ski the Blues and Blacks without Getting Black and Blue, or contact him, go to his Web site, www.HowToSki.net. Photos taken at Keystone Resort.