Are you tired of slamming into trees, snowbanks, or other skiers at the bottom of the slope? Fear not! You’re about to get some tips on how to stop on skis to stay in more control and avoid embarrassing collisions.
The wedge stop / snow plow is a classic way to slow down and come to a stop on skis. It’s one of the first techniques that you learn.
To perform this maneuver, simply turn your skis inward, into a triangle or ‘pizza’ slice shape, so that the tips are close together and the tails are farther apart. Next, push your legs out so the inside of the ski is digging into the snow. This will create a wedge shape between your skis. Keep pushing your skis into the snow in a triangle shape until you come to a complete stop. Remember to keep your weight centered over your skis, and don't lean back too much, or you'll end up on your bum!
When using the snow plow to either stop or slow down, make sure to not cross your skis over each other, as this could lead to you losing control of your skis and falling over. When your technique improves, you might want to try to stop with your skis parallel, which is what we are discussing next.
If you want to look like a pro on the slopes, the hockey stop is the way to go.
This technique involves turning your skis perpendicular to your direction of travel and digging your edges into the snow. You need to keep your skis parallel as you dig into the snow sideways. If you’re stopping while facing to the left, then the left edge of the ski will dig into the snow, and if you’re turning with your skis facing to the right of the mountain, then the right edge of the skis will dig into the snow.
The sudden change in direction and friction will bring you to a stop. The key to a good hockey stop is to distribute your weight evenly over both skis and keep your knees bent. It takes some practice, but once you master it, you'll feel like a ski superstar.
The falling leaf is a great way to slow down if you're on a steep slope and don't want to pick up too much speed. To do this, turn your skis sideways to the slope and gently slide down the mountain.
This is like a normal turn, but you hold it for longer to lose a bit more speed. If you’d like to increase the amount that you slow down, you can point your skis up the mountain slightly so that you travel uphill to lose your speed or stop.
Once you've lost some speed or stopped, you can turn your skis back to your original direction and continue skiing. It's called the falling leaf because you'll look like a leaf floating down to the ground.
Sometimes things don't go according to plan, and you need to stop immediately. In this case, you can use the emergency stop.
To do this you can use one of the techniques above, depending on your level of skiing. If you’re a beginner or have recently started skiing at an intermediate level, then stopping with a snow plow is probably your best bet. If you’re intermediate to advanced, then a hockey stop will bring you to a stop much quicker.
Whichever method you go for, you’ll have to dig your skis in as much as you can, pressing hard with your legs and a lot of edge angle on your skis so that you can use the snow to stop you. Leaning back can allow you to dig into the snow more, however, try your best to not lean back too far or this could result in your skis slipping from underneath you and you falling over. However, it’s best to keep your upper and lower body separate, pushing in with your legs, while your upper body is upright.
Although, this stop should be used as a last resort, as it puts a lot of strain on your knees and can be dangerous if done improperly.
It's a good idea to practice stopping on different types of terrain. Start on more shallow slopes and groomed runs, before you step it up and practice on steeper slopes and variable snow conditions. This is how you will develop the skills and confidence to stop in a variety of situations.
It's important to be aware of your speed at all times and adjust your technique accordingly. If you're going too fast, you may need to use a more aggressive stopping technique or find a larger area to slow down. Making sure to maintain a slower, safer speed will make it much easier when it comes to stopping.
Your ski poles can also be helpful in slowing down. You can use them to help with balance and control.
Stopping on skis is an essential skill that every skier should master. Whether you prefer the classic snow plow wedge stop or the flashy hockey stop, remember to keep your weight centered over your skis and your knees bent. And if all else fails, use the emergency stop (but only in emergencies). With these tips in mind, you'll be able to stop on a dime and avoid any collisions on the slopes. Happy skiing!
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