steep hill: carving vs. sliding
 

I'm a second year rider, and fairly skilled at this point. but i noticed someone talk about the difference between carving and sliding to make turns. The last time i went out on a mountain I've kept that piece of information in mind. And I have some problems with 'carving' in uneven terrains, and very steep blacks diamonds. I couldn't help myself but to start skidding my way down. So my question is, was i just not able to maintain control while carving due to the steepness/uneven terrain or is that task pretty much impossible(or perhaps my lack of skill)?
Also it seems that while i was 'carving' down blacks and some blues, my speed would build up too rapidly and i'd have to make a few skids to slow down.

If you guys can share with your personal experiences or some tips it would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Nothing wrong with sliding a bit to maintain control.

'carving' in uneven terrains, and very steep blacks diamonds

If you mean carving in chopped up snow...depending on the wetness/heaviness of the snow it can be difficult and it helps to have a relatively stiff board to blast through the mashed potato chop in the pnw. If you mean uneven terain...some terrain, i.e. moguls are impossible, pillows you just sort of blast and rollers would be more of absorbtion with knees. Steep blacks with fresh deep pow are the nutz. Anyway its probably just getting used to speed, terrain reading skills and having confidence in your skills and trusting your board....sounds like you just need more time and skills and a good freeride board is the ticket. However it is important to stay in control and not fly recklessly down the hill.

I honestly don't see what the issue with sliding is in a free-ride scenario in steeps with variable terrain etc. If you slide well with even pressure it can be a very fluid and nice turn all the same! (although it won't ever feel as good as a carve)

Thank you all very much for your input, legallyillegal, Snowolf, wrathfuldeity, max_tm. I am very happy with the answer you guys provided.

In a true carve you won't be gaining any speed control from skidding or pivoting the board. So when you are carving and want to keep your speed at a comfortable level focus on the shape (like a C not a J)and the number of turns (more=slower) you are making.

I try to think of snowboarding movements not so much as right/wrong or good/bad but efficient/less efficient for a desired outcome.

It's funny because I was going to ask pretty much this same question.
I find myself at the top of a steep hill and I watch others just sort of straight line it down with no problem at all but as soon as I start to go, I find it's too steep for me to really maintain control and end up skidding down the top part until it begins to level off a bit and I can finally start to carve.

My question was going to be, what can I do to improve on this? I have yet to be able to carve down steeper hills/maintain speed because as soon as I start too, I kinda get nervous and skid to slow myself down.
(I hope I'm understanding the term skid right where it's just maintaining one edge and then the other kinddd of like you would if you wanted to just stop but instead keep going on the opposite edge.

I also justt am now starting to get better at carving in general, always lead with the front foot right?

Wow, thanks a lot for that explanation! After reading it, I realized that I had the definitions of carving and the dynamic skidding turns kind of muddled...I didn't know there was a difference! And what you just explained is exactly what I am tryingg to work on :) ...the going down a hill straighter, faster and in a more fluid motion.

I will definitely be working on that.

Also, I have always wondered this and some people answer me differently...when turning am I supposed to have my body weight toward the front of my board and on my front foot or back? In other words, what foot is supposed to be doing more work? I tend to control the board with the back foot and lean back more. Is this incorrect?

sounds like you could be 'ruddering' and thats a no-no. i am no instructor but i would advise trying to stay balanced and initiating your turn with ur front foot.