How to Stop on Skis

You know what's funny? I still remember my first time trying to stop on skis. There I was, zooming down what felt like Mount Everest (but was actually just the bunny slope), desperately trying to remember everything I'd learned about stopping. Spoiler alert: I ended up catching a soft fence, but I didn't get hurt!

Let's talk about something that's absolutely crucial for every new skier: mastering the art of stopping. After years of watching friends learn to ski and making plenty of mistakes myself, I've discovered that understanding how to stop isn't just about safety – it's about confidence on the slopes.

Your ski edges are basically your best friends when it comes to stopping (and turning!). Think of them like the brakes on your car, except you control them with your feet. These metal strips running along each ski are what dig into the snow to help you slow down and stop. Run your finger along the edge of his ski (carefully!) just to understand what we were working with. They are intentionally sharp, and will cut into the snow.

Now, about body position – this is where I see so many beginners struggle, and trust me, I've been there. Your knees should be slightly bent, and your weight needs to be centered over your skis.

Let me share some common mistakes I've made that you'll want to avoid. First up: the dreaded lean-back position. When you're scared, it's totally natural to want to lean back, but this is like trying to steer a car while sitting in the backseat – it just doesn't work. Another classic mistake is trying to stop by pointing your skis straight up the hill. While this may work temporarily, chances are that you'll just start sliding backwards on modern skis!

Before you even think about hitting the slopes, though, let's talk equipment. Your boots need to be snug but not cutting off circulation (learned that one the painful way), and your bindings should be properly adjusted for your weight and skill level. If your boots are too loose, you'll waste a lot of energy in the transfer from you legs to the ski. Not good, and tiring!

Remember, stopping isn't just about safety – it's your ticket to actually enjoying skiing. Once you master this skill, you'll find yourself exploring more of the mountain with confidence. Just take it slow, practice on gentle slopes, and don't be afraid to fall. We've all been there! Unless your skiing out east on some ice, chances are that it won't hurt to fall as much as you may think.

When and where to use the Pizza Stop (Snowplow)

Ski instruction has changed a lot since I was a kid. We used to learn about pizza vs. french fries on day one. We were always told to start with pizza (aka the wedge). Now, instructors are starting to go immediately into parallel stops (aka french fries). The thinking is that you will naturally try the wedge regardless, so we should teach the muscle memory of parallel turns, which is the proper technique as you advance your skill. If you are an adult reading this, I would suggest skipping to the next section on parallel stopping.

Getting the wedge position right is all about building the right feel. I started by standing totally still and simply practicing moving my ski tips together, moving my knees in slightly to get on the inner edges, all while keeping the back of my skis apart. It was a game-changer – much easier than trying to figure it out while moving down the slope.

Speaking of balance, most people (myself included) instinctively lean back when trying to stop. I get it – it feels safer. But it's actually working against you. Putting some forward pressure will help better engage the edges when you are trying to stop. Think about holding a rope while waterskiing that's pulling your belly button forward. This mental image helps maintain that sweet spot of balance while performing the pizza stop.

One common issue I faced early on was making my wedge too narrow when nervous. Think about it this way: the wider your pizza slice, the more control you have. The real secret to mastering the pizza stop lies in understanding pressure control. Start with a wide wedge and gradually apply more edge pressure by rolling your ankles inward. Think of it like turning down the volume on a radio – smooth and controlled, not like hitting the power button.

Let's talk about speed progression based on my experience:

• Start on nearly flat terrain until you can consistently stop
• Move to gentle slopes where you can control your speed easily
• Challenge yourself on slightly steeper terrain, but only after feeling confident on gentler slopes

The pizza stop isn't just for beginners, by the way. I will occasionally use it when I'm navigating through a crowded area or approaching a lift line. It goes from being the default stop as a beginner to another tool in your skiing toolkit. The key is understanding when to deploy it.

Intermediate and Above Stopping Techniques

As you progress in your skiing journey and ability, you will inevitably learn two critical stopping skills: hockey stops and side-slipping. Both are indispensible when you are on steeper terrain. They give you solid control and can help you stop much more quickly than the snowplow we reviewed above. Plus if you are an adult learning how to ski for the first time, the hockey stop is a good skill to practice early.

Hockey stops / parallel stops

Let's dive into parallel stopping, which honestly changed my entire skiing experience. Unlike the trusty pizza stop, parallel stopping keeps your skis side by side while you shift your weight and edges to brake.

I remember watching more experienced skiers spray snow dramatically as they came to these quick, powerful stops, making it look effortless. My first attempts? Let's just say they were less "cool action movie scene" and more "unplanned sitting practice." The breakthrough came when I realized it's all about commitment and timing. You have to be willing to really pivot those skis and trust your edges.

Side-slipping

Side-slipping was an accidental discovery for me on a particularly steep run. I was trying to figure out how to get down safely when I realized I could use my edges to essentially slide sideways down the slope. It's become my secret weapon for managing terrain that feels a bit too challenging. Think of it as the skiing equivalent of taking the stairs instead of the elevator – sometimes it's just the smarter choice.

Here's what really helped me level up my side-slip game:

• Practice on moderate slopes before attempting steeper terrain
• Start with both skis parallel across the fall line, shifting your weight downhill to disengage the edges and slip on your ski bases.
• After a few feet, shift your weight back uphill to re-engage the edges and come to a stop
• Repeat to practice!

Speed Control on Steeps

Turning to stop on steeper terrain was probably the scariest technique to learn, but it's deceptively simple. Instead of trying to stop straight on, just turn a bit uphill. This also works in more terrain than just the steeps, but it becomes an effective tool, especially if you lose sight of your line heading downhill.

The physics behind advanced stopping techniques fascinate me. It's all about managing your momentum through edge control and weight distribution. Getting comfortable with these methods opened up so much more of the mountain for me. Now, instead of dreading steep sections, I see them as opportunities to practice different techniques.

Time and patience are your friends here. It took me a solid two full seasons getting comfortable with these techniques before they became second nature. But when you nail that first perfect hockey stop and send up a spray of snow at your friends, all that practice feels totally worth it!

Stopping after a fall ( the 'Self Arrest')

Let me tell you about the day I learned just how important emergency stopping skills are. I was cruising down what I thought was a perfectly clear run when a I caught a patch of ice that caused me to spin out. As I was sliding down the slope headfirst at 20mph, I had to think quickly about stopping! That moment taught me that being prepared for the unexpected isn't just useful – it's essential.

Think of emergency stops like having an airbag in your car. You hope you'll never need them, but when you do, you're incredibly grateful they're there. Through trial and error (and yes, some spectacular wipeouts), I've learned that the key when you fall is the self-arrest.

The concept is simple: when you take a fall and you're sliding down, you need to stop yourself. There are three primary ways that you slow yourself to stop. Which one you choose will come to whether 1) you're injured, 2) you dropped any equipment in the fall.

• If your skis are still attached: Assuming your skis are lying sideways across the fall line as you slide, just try to start pushing your edges more and more into the snow. The skis will do what they are designed to and slow you down. Just be careful that you don't push too hard and disengage your bindings!
• If your skis fell off: Try to roll onto your stomach. Once in that position, dig your toes into the snow. Ski boots are designed with a pretty serious lip at the toe that can be an effective edge in the snow. This edge creates the friction that helps you stop.
• If you still have your poles: grab onto the grips and try to jam the tops into the snow and create some friction. This will be the least effective of the 3 options, but it can certainly help more than your gloves alone

Snow conditions can make a huge difference in which method of self-arrest will work best. The above examples will work best on hardpack groomers. In deeper snow it is usually easier to stop, although it will be tougher to find any dropped equipment!

Remember, the best emergency stop is the one you never have to make. Staying aware of your surroundings and skiing within your ability level prevents many emergency situations before they happen. But when the unexpected does occur, having these skills on autopilot can make all the difference between regular fall and needing to call patrol for help.

Practice Exercises and Progression

Building stopping confidence is like learning to ride a bike - you've got to start slow and steady. One of the most helpful exercises I discovered was what I call the "start-stop game." Pick a gentle slope and practice starting to glide, then stopping every few feet. If you work with an instructor, they can give you these drills and more!

Your progress and transitions will not be in a straight line. Regardless, here's what worked best for my progression:

• IF A CHILD: Practice wedge stops until they feel totally natural (if a child learning)
• IF AN ADULT: Practice turning uphill with parallel skis to bleed off speed and stop.
• Add gentle parallel stops on easy terrain
• Gradually increase speed as confidence grows, always coming back to your ability to stop
• Advance to more difficult terrain when you feel confident

Some days, everything clicks, and other days feel like starting over. That's totally normal. What matters is consistently working on these skills until they become second nature. Now, several seasons later, I can stop confidently in almost any situation - but I still practice during my warm-up runs on easier terrain. Building a solid foundation of skills that you can rely on in any situation is the most important. Take your time, be patient with yourself, and celebrate the small victories along the way.

Conclusion

Learning to stop on skis might seem overwhelming at first, but remember that every expert started exactly where you are. From mastering the basic pizza stop to progressing into more advanced techniques like hockey stops, each skill builds naturally on the last. The key is to practice consistently, stay patient with yourself, and always prioritize safety over speed. Emergency stopping skills are like insurance - you hope you'll never need them, but you'll be incredibly grateful to have them when you do. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your skills, focus on building a strong foundation, and you'll be amazed at how quickly your confidence grows on the slopes.