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.