Centre of Weight

The point on the ground vertically below the centre of gravity where a skier's weight is centred at any given time. If the centre of weight is more than a critical distance from the feet and the middle of the skis at any given time, the skier will usually lose their balance.

A number of different forces alter this radius of latitude, including forward and sideways movement, gravity, the type of snow and the steepness of the slope. Lowering the centre of gravity will give a skier more chance to stay within the radius of latitude.