In this part of our learn to ski guide we look at standing, stopping and turning.

To ski, you need to learn 3 basic skills: standing up; turning; stopping.

To stand on skis, have your feet shoulder width apart with your toes pointing inwards; this creates a triangle / V shape (referred to as a ’snow plough’). Slightly bend your knees to create a more stable stance, spread your arms out wide to give yourself more balance and lean slightly forward instead of leaning slightly back (doing so makes it easier to turn and stop).

Even the slightest of slopes is enough for your skis to automatically get you moving down and/or forward. Slowing down and stopping can be accomplished by increasing your snow plough or V-shape, moving your toes inward; and to speed up, employ the theory in reverse – move your heels closer together, widening your snow plow. Keep in mind, however, that these maneuvers work on smaller slopes, and to stop on a steep slope, you will need to turn gradually until your skis are not headed down the slope, but are resting horizontally across it.

To turn on skis, just point them in the direction you want to go – if that’s left, point them left, and if that’s right, well, you know. Remember, however that mastering the art of turning on skis will take some getting used to and the right combination of timing and balance.

Pointing your skis in the direction of an intended turn may not be the only action necessary to get you there – for sharp turns, you will need to move your weight onto the foot farthest away from the direction of the turn (so for a sharp left turn, you would move your weight onto your right foot). Try to only move your feet when doing so, as moving / swinging your arms / shoulders won’t makes you turn any quicker.