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how to slow down on skis

Slowing down on skis is all about using your edges, turn shape, and body position to control speed safely, not just reacting at the last second. Beginners usually rely on a snowplough, while more confident skiers use round turns, skidding, or hockey stops to scrub speed.

Safety first

  • Always choose slopes that match your level; if you cannot slow down in control, the run is too steep for now.
  • Keep an athletic stance: knees and ankles flexed, hands forward, weight centered over your feet, not leaning back.
  • Look ahead 10–15 meters, planning where you will slow down or stop instead of waiting until you feel out of control.

Beginner: snowplough “pizza”

The easiest way to learn how to slow down on skis is the snowplough (wedge) position.

  • Point ski tips toward each other, tails wider apart so your skis form a wedge or “pizza” shape.
  • Press gently on the inside edges of both skis (pushing heels slightly out) to create friction with the snow; the wider the wedge and the more edge pressure, the slower you go.
  • Practise first on flat ground, then on a very gentle slope, moving from a small wedge (faster) to a big wedge (slower / stop) to feel how speed changes.

Using turns to slow down

On any level, turning across or slightly up the hill is the smoothest way to lose speed.

  • Make round, C‑shaped or even S‑shaped turns across the slope instead of pointing straight downhill; a longer, more across-the-hill path effectively makes the slope feel less steep and reduces speed.
  • At the end of each turn, let your skis come more across the hill or slightly uphill—gravity will naturally slow you very quickly as you turn up the hill.
  • Think in “sections”: ski three or four normal turns, then plan three “slowing turns” that are gradually slower (slow, slower, slowest), bringing yourself nearly to a stop.

Intermediate: skidding and hockey stop

Once you can ski parallel, you can slow down by skidding your edges or by using a hockey-style stop.

  • Parallel skid: from a parallel stance, gently twist both skis across the direction of travel and reduce edge angle so the skis slide sideways; more skid = more braking.
  • For a quicker stop (hockey stop):
    • Start in a parallel stance, knees flexed, weight centered.
    • Rotate both skis across the fall line together and tip them onto their uphill edges so they bite into the snow and spray it.
* The sharper and more edged the move, the faster you stop, so start gently and build up as you gain confidence.

Practical tips and common mistakes

  • If you feel too fast, do not lock up and go straight; instead, immediately start a turn across the hill or gently point your skis slightly uphill to bleed speed.
  • Avoid sitting too far back, squeezing your legs rigid, or looking straight down at your skis—these all make it harder to steer and use edges effectively.
  • If steep slopes still feel terrifying even with snowplough and turns, take a short lesson; a qualified instructor can adjust your stance and turn shape in minutes and give you targeted drills.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.