Moving on skis is the focus of this installment of our learn to ski guide.

Standing up, turning, and stopping, are the three basic skills you will need to master if you want to ski.

Make what’s commonly known as a ‘snow plow’ by standing with your feet at shoulder-width and pointing your toes inward, forming a “V” pattern.  The following three steps are next – (1) create a more stable stance by slightly bending your knees; (2) increase your balance by spreading your arms out widely; and (3) help your turning and stopping by leaning forward.

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.  Doing the latter will work on small slopes, but for steeper slopes, to slow down or stop you’ll need to gradually turn your skis so they face horizontally across the slope, instead of vertically down it.

Turning is really not much more complicated than moving forward on skis (simply point your skis in the direction you want them to take you), except that it will require that you find your comfort zone with balance and timing before you will be able to do it well.

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).  Moving your arms or shoulders while turning will not make the turn any quicker or easier, so focus on moving just your feet when you turn.