Do you counter steer 'cause you need to, or just to put the high side bar handy?

[Adrenaline Revolution]

On a deep snow ride last year I was playing around in a meadow area and when I pulled up to my wife and she asked me "How do you do that and why"?
I said , "What"? She said I was turning the wrong way when I was leaned way over in a carve.
I asked if she meant I was countersteering? She said...Whatever the hell you want to call it, you were steering the wrong way!
I tried to explain to her that she was crazy because I don't know how to countersteer.

I went back out into the meadow and this time I paid attention to the bars and how I was turning.
I guess I DO countersteer...But not intentionally.
It feels strange not to when I tried carving without it.

 

[CAT TRACKS]

I am sooooooo going to counter steer as soon as it snows!!!!!

 

[Laris]

Anyone who has spent any time water skipping should know this concept well, it's about using the back of your ski like a rudder. Try skipping across water and steering like you would on hard pack snow - and make sure someone has a video camera!

 

[savagecanuck]

I allways countersteer usually because I have to do a complete 180 in about 10 feet after being pinched off in a narrow opening.Its definatly a skill that any mountain rider should master.Tall bars aka a big riser help immenselly and lots of practice

 

[phantom68]

The first "mountain" skill I was taught, was countersteering. If you're riding deep powder & not counter-steering, I honestly don't know how you're getting around at all? I don't think I could even make a 180 degree turn without counter-steering? And if you don't think counter-steering is a necessary skill, watch a Chris Burandt(?) video. WOW!
I initiate my turns by counter-steering first. I stay centered on the sled, counter-steering to start my turn, then weight my inside foot to turn harder and lastly hang my outside foot off the back if I need to turn really hard. That's how I was taught and I don't know other way to ride powder.

 

[ASRVM]

I think I get it..............

 

[ARCTIC DUCK]

I also countersteer because I think I look cool doing it! I do look cool, don't I?
And how can you get a a$$ kink in your neck?

by not pulling your head outta your azz of course

 

[Escmanaze]

If it makes it easier, why wouldn't you?

So I see guys on here with posts about how they don't countersteer because they don't need to...I just don't get it. What you're telling me, is that you'll spend $10k in aftermarket mods to make you're sled lighter, more powerful, and therefore EASIER and more fun to ride. Then, as you're headed straight down a hill, and you need to flip a U-turn to get back up hill, you would rather wrestle with the machine, show off your big muscles, and have to pull 4 times as hard to get the machine on it's side instead of just giving the skis a slight turn in the wrong direction, giving a little gas, and making it easy? What's the point? You and I both just got back up the hill, only difference is that I'll be able to do it 200 times that day and you'll be tired after the 10th rep. At least when we did both get to the top, you got to act like you were pretty cool by telling me that I'm not as good as you because I had to "cheat" in order to make that U-turn?

Honestly...explanation?