How To Stop On Skis: 4 Primary Techniques

Learning how to stop properly on skis is a fundamental skill that every newcomer to the slopes must master. From beginner wedge techniques to advanced hockey stops, this article will provide key tips on how to stop on skis confidently in various snow conditions and terrain.

With step-by-step instructions on executing pivots and edge digs, plus common mistakes to avoid, you will gain the knowledge needed to improve this important ability. Mastering these techniques reduces the risk of falls or collisions while allowing you to comfortably enjoy the mountain.

However, if you are a complete beginner, I would advise you to take a ski lesson from a professional ski instructor first. Use this guide just as an introduction to the concept and to give you an idea of how it is on the slope.

Key Takeaways

Learning how to stop properly on skis is crucial for every newcomer to the slopes. Mastering stopping techniques is key to reducing the risk of falls or collisions and ensuring a comfortable and safe skiing experience.
Snow Plow Technique: Beginner-friendly, involves forming a ‘pizza shape’ with skis for controlled stopping.
Side Step Technique: For intermediate skiers, involves turning skis perpendicular to the slope to brake.
Squat Stopping: Advanced skill on steeper slopes, uses a squat motion for quick stopping.
Hockey Stop: Expert technique, requires a lateral carve using one ski for rapid speed reduction.

How To Stop On Skis?

Key Beginner Techniques

Learning proper ski-stopping techniques is crucial for safety and fun on the slopes. As a beginner, focus on mastering these two key methods:

1. The Snow Plow (or “Wedge”)

The easiest way to stop initially is by using the “snow plow” technique, also referred to as the “wedge”. This involves pointing your ski tips close together while spreading your tails out and pressing on the inside edges. The friction created slows and eventually stops your momentum.

Begin in a pizza shape with tips close and tails wide. Gradually increase pressure to the inside edge of each ski to dig into the snow. Keep hips centered over the skis and knees bent to maintain balance. The plow allows beginners to maintain control on steeper hills and stop with ease once the speed decreases. Practice first on gentle beginner terrain.

Tips For Implementing the Snow Plow

Start practicing on a gentle green run before trying steeper slopes
– Keep your weight centered over the skis, don’t lean back
– Bend your knees and keep a low athletic stance for stability
– Begin snow plowing early as it takes longer to fully stop
– Widen the wedge shape wider to increase drag in the snow
– Angle ski tips closer together to improve edge grip
– If tails cross, you risk catching an edge and falling

Here’s a demonstration video from the Inspirational Skiing YouTube page. For more tips and guides, you should check out their YouTube page.

2. The Side Step

As you become stronger, the “side step” teaches how to fully stop going straight downhill. Carefully turn both feet and skis perpendicular to the fall line so you form a wall to brake speed. Push both ski edges hard into the snow with legs staggered, one slightly ahead of the other. Keep your balance over the downhill ski while increasing pressure. Changing the weighted ski while stepping up the hill further slows the descent. Once fully stopped, return the skis to a parallel position pointing downhill.

Tips For Implementing the Side Step

Attempt first without poles to isolate edging movements
Quickly but smoothly swing uphill ski around to a perpendicular
Don’t get uphill ski too horizontally or it could slide out
Weight the new downhill ski to dig into its edge
Time steps upward as you brake to coordinate movements
Stagger legs for better leverage versus side-by-side
Practice flexibility by trying both sides uphill as a pivot

Intermediate Technique

3. Squat Stopping

After feeling comfortable on greens, use blue runs to start developing advanced stopping skills. The squat stop allows stronger engagement of leg muscles to forcefully dig in ski edges, spraying up snow like skidding to a halt. Approaching your stopping point, widen your stance for greater stability. Push hips back while keeping chest forward, loading increased pressure on the edges and using muscular legs to handle the impact. This stops forward momentum rapidly on steep slopes but requires fitness to prevent falling backward upon completion.

Tips For Implementing the Squat Stopping

Start on steeper blue terrain where faster speed requires stronger stopping
As you approach your stopping point, widen your stance for stability
Sit back with your hips and bend your knees to load pressure on your edges
Keep your chest upright and hands forward to avoid falling backward
Drive your legs and ankles inward to spray snow as you carve across the hill
Be prepared for the jolt when your edges dig in to slow momentum
Use core muscles to absorb impact without losing balance
Follow through with equal edge pressure on both skis
Practice repeatedly to build leg endurance for this tiring technique
First attempts may cause thigh burn, take breaks as needed
Once mastered, this becomes a reliable speed check on the toughest slopes

The squat stop engages your powerful leg muscles to hammer ski edges into the snow for abrupt halts. Following these guidelines will help you safely integrate this advanced move into your downhill skillset. Start gradually and keep your knees bent to maximize stability on steep pitches.

If you want to advance your level, read intermediate ski tips for additional insights.

Advanced Technique

4. Hockey Stop

For experts, the “hockey stop” provides maximum velocity deduction using a single ski to violently carve laterally across the hill. Pick either your dominant or uphill ski to act as the pivot while lifting the opposite tail off the snow. Drive all weight onto the stopping ski to maximize edge grip while swinging it aggressively perpendicular across the fall line. Rapidly rotate shoulders and hips into the turn while the free foot follows the direction change. Execute fast to shave speed quickly before resuming control over now slowed skis. High technical skill is required or unsafe falls risk occurring.

Tips For Implementing the Hockey Stop

Start at slower speeds to get the feel
Initiate with your strong, dominant leg as the pivot
Commit fully, with no hesitation when swiveling ankle/knee
Keep stopping ski as flat to the hill as possible, and don’t lift your heel
Allow free leg to drag behind pivot, don’t fight rotation
Drive into the turn, keeping weight forward on feet
Bend and stay low – straight legs increase fall risk

Other Stopping Tips

Utilizing ski brakes provides another easy way to stop gently without innate muscle exertion. Integrated bindings at both ski ends contain mobile arms with rubber pads that independently deploy downward at heel release. Dragging against the snow applies constant resistance to forward impulsion. Simply trigger the brakes and glide hands-free to a gradual stop. Keep weight slightly back during braking action to prevent tumbling forward. These work well when fatigued and anxious to rest the leg muscles. They also enable first-time students an achievable way to practice stopping unaided. However, ski brakes only slow rather than stop instantly.

Remember to always employ safe stopping etiquette around others on the mountain. Scope surroundings well ahead to identify upcoming intersections or merge zones. Manage speed in advance and slow gradually to avoid startling those downhill. Announce loudly before passing to alert oblivious sliders. If entering run merges, take turns integrating smoothly while under control. Never blast suddenly past slow beginners as the surprise could cause collisions and injury.

Implementing these methods safely takes patience and practice. Enroll in a ski school lesson to receive feedback from a certified instructor. They can provide drills, troubleshoot issues, and ensure you learn correctly. Start gradually on beginner terrain and only advance once each technique becomes second nature from repetitive quality reps. Perfect the form before attempting at high speeds or tricky slope conditions.

Don’t Use Ski Poles To Stop

While ski poles are important tools for balance and propulsion, relying on them to stop is dangerous and ineffective for several reasons:

Not Enough Friction: Pole baskets have a smooth, thin edge that hardly makes contact with the snow. This does not produce enough traction or drag to reduce motion. You’ll just keep coasting and ineffectively stab at the snow.

Pole Risk: You run the risk of hurting your shoulders from the leverage force when you try to brace pole handles perpendicular to the hill. If you jam the poles sideways, you run the risk of losing control since you’ll get stuck in an awkward position. Ugly falls may result from this.

Lack of Edge Control: Poles don’t really engage an edge for leverage; they just make contact with the snow. Learning to transmit weight onto steel edges is necessary for stopping. Without edging, poles are useless tools that can’t affect how you descend.

No Proper Stability – Almost no stopping stability is provided by two little pole baskets supported at arm’s length above your center of mass. If you do this, you will probably fall out of the unnatural body position.

While great for padding falls or making turns, relying on pole plants alone for braking? You’re gonna have a bad time! Learn proper weight-loaded edge control with wedge and parallel techniques instead of actually stopping safely. Poles should propel, not brake!

Cherie Gonzales

Cherie is an outdoor enthusiast who moved from a tropical area all the way to the Arctic to experience raw nature. She works for an expedition tour company in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. She understands the challenge of finding the ideal outdoor gears that fits your budget and needs. With so many choices available, her goal is to simplify the selection process.

How To Stop On Skis: 4 Primary Techniques

Key Takeaways