How to Stop on Skis: Techniques and Common Mistakes

Hey there, I’m Max Glideswell, and I’m here to take you through the ins and outs of one of the most crucial skills in skiing: stopping effectively. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your technique, mastering the art of stopping on skis is essential for safety and enjoyment on the slopes.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the various techniques for stopping on skis, covering everything from the basic snowplow to advanced parallel stops. Each method offers benefits and applications depending on terrain and skill level. 

Techniques How To Stop

I will cover essential ski-stopping techniques: the snowplow (wedge), pizza wedge, and parallel stops and more. Each offers unique benefits based on slope steepness and skill level. Understanding these techniques ensures you can navigate slopes safely and confidently.

Snowplow (Wedge)

The snowplow, also known as the wedge, is a fundamental stopping technique for beginner skiers, offering stability and control. To perform a snowplow stop, follow these steps:

1. Body Position: Bend your knees and lean forward slightly, maintaining an athletic stance.
2. Ski Positioning: Keep your skis parallel and pointed inward, forming a wedge shape.
3. Applying Pressure: Apply pressure to the inside edges of your skis to slow down gradually.
4. Complete Stop: Increase pressure gradually until you come to a complete stop.
5. Maintain Position: Keep your snowplow position while shifting your weight from foot to foot, ensuring stability.

Pizza Wedge

Like the snowplow, the pizza wedge technique involves forming a wedge shape with the skis to control speed and direction. Here’s how to execute a pizza wedge stop:

1. Start in a snowplow position, with the skis forming a wedge.
2. Focus on pressing the inside edges of your skis together to control speed.
3. Maintain a stable stance with knees bent and weight evenly distributed.
4. Adjust Wedge Width: Practice increasing or decreasing the width of the wedge to adjust speed as needed.

Parallel Stops

 Parallel stops are advanced stopping techniques used by more experienced skiers to quickly and smoothly come to a halt. Follow these steps for a parallel stop:

1. Preparation: Maintain a balanced and centred stance with knees flexed and weight evenly distributed.
2. Initiate Stop: Shift your weight forward and slightly inward to start the stop.
3. Edge Your Skis: Press down on the outside edges while keeping them parallel.
4. Gradual Slowdown: Increase pressure gradually until you come to a complete stop.

Sidestep:

Sidestep helps slow down or stop on easy slopes or when moving sideways. Here’s how you do it:

• Keep your skis side by side, not too close or far apart.
• Shuffle to the side to slow down.
• Stay steady and balanced as you do it.

Happenstance:

Happenstance is for advanced skiers who mix turning and edging to stop smoothly. Here’s what to do:

• Turn and edge together to slow down.
• Keep yourself steady and in control.
• Practice on different kinds of slopes to get better.

French Fry:

For skiers who’ve moved past the pizza wedge but have yet to parallel entirely, the French Fry helps. Here’s how:

• Make a narrow wedge shape with your skis.
• Keep them parallel as you go.
• With practice, you’ll get better at controlling your speed.

Christies:

Christies are classic turns that help you slow down gradually. Here’s how to do them:

• Connect your turns smoothly to reduce speed.
• Pay attention to your edges and turning.
• Practice on different slopes to improve.

Falling Leaf:

Beginners can try the Falling Leaf if the pizza wedge isn’t working. Here’s how:

• Switch the edge of each ski back and forth.
• Keep steady and balanced.
• Practice on easy slopes to get the hang of it.

Emergency Stop:

In an emergency, you can use your poles to slow down. Here’s what you do:

• Stick your poles firmly in the snow.
• Use them to help you stop.
• Practice this in safe places to be ready if you ever need it.

Performing and Stopping Techniques:

• Practice regularly to get better.
• Start easy and work your way up to more challenging slopes.
• Keep your balance and control in mind.
• Get help from instructors to improve.
• Make sure you have the right gear for skiing safely.

Choosing the Right Stopping Method

Choosing the right way to stop on skis depends on three key factors: your skill level, the steepness of the slope, and the snow conditions. For beginners, techniques like the snowplow (also called the pizza wedge) are often recommended because they’re easy to learn and effective. These methods give new skiers stability and control, making it more straightforward to navigate the slopes.

Although the snowplow and pizza wedge techniques are similar, they have subtle differences. Both involve creating a wedge shape with the skis, but the snowplow usually has a broader wedge with the skis parallel and pointed inward. On the other hand, the pizza wedge might have a narrower shape, allowing for more precise speed adjustments by changing the width of the wedge. Understanding these nuances helps skiers select the best stopping method based on their skill level and the terrain conditions.

Common Mistakes of Beginner Skiers When Stopping

Alright, let’s break down some common mistakes new skiers often encounter when learning to stop on the slopes:

1. Leaning Back Too Much: When you lean back too far, it messes up your balance and makes you more likely to fall. Instead, stand up straight and keep your weight in the middle. Bend your knees and imagine pushing your shins forward into the front of your ski boots. This helps you stay in control and steady.
2. Forgetting the Pizza Wedge: You know that pizza wedge thingy? It’s super essential for slowing down. Sometimes, we need to remember to use it, though. Practice making an excellent, steady pizza wedge shape with your skis. Make sure it’s wide enough to slow you down.
3. Crossed Skis: Uh-oh, crossing your skis can be a recipe for disaster. Keep them parallel, like two slices of pizza side by side. This helps you stay stable and avoid taking a tumble. (Learn more about parallel skiing in my guide on what is carving skiing how to carve on skis.)”
4. Not Applying Enough Pressure: If you’re zooming down the hill and need help to slow down, you may need to push harder with your skis. Try making your pizza wedge wider and pressing down through your shins more. That should help you slow down better.
5. Stopping in the Wrong Place: Oh no, stopping in a tricky spot can be dangerous! Always look for a safe, clear area away from steep hills or sharp turns. Practice stopping on gentle slopes where it’s easier to control.

Bonus Tip: Don’t sweat it if you fall—it happens to everyone! Just dust yourself off, get back up, and keep trying. With practice and patience, you’ll get the hang of it in no time.

FAQS

How can I avoid catching an edge when stopping?

Keep your weight balanced over both skis to avoid catching an edge when stopping. Practice shifting your weight smoothly from edge to edge, which helps maintain stability and control.

How do I progress from a wedge to parallel stops?

To graduate from a wedge to parallel stops, start by practising transitioning from a wider pizza wedge to a narrower wedge. Gradually work on bringing your skis parallel while maintaining control and stability.

Which should I learn first: snowplow or pizza wedge?

It’s usually recommended for beginners to learn the pizza wedge (snowplow) first. This technique provides a more straightforward and stable way to control speed and direction on skis, making it easier for beginners to grasp.

How can I stop quickly on skis?

Stopping quickly on skis requires mastering techniques like the snowplow or hockey stop. These involve applying pressure to the edges of your skis and shifting your weight forward to create friction with the snow, slowing down rapidly.

How can I teach a child to stop on skis?

When teaching a child to stop on skis, introduce them to the pizza wedge technique. Please encourage them to practice forming a wedge shape with their skis and gradually increase pressure to slow down. Provide positive reinforcement and patience as they learn.

How do I turn and stop on skis?

To turn and stop on skis, initiate a turn by shifting your weight to the outside ski and gently guiding your skis in the desired direction. To stop, gradually apply pressure to the inside edges of your skis while maintaining a stable stance and posture. Practice these manoeuvres on gentle slopes before attempting more challenging terrain.