Learn to Snow Plow

The traditional learning stance for beginning skiers is called the snow plow position. While there are variations used in different teaching methods, the basic position requires that you stand in the skis facing across a gently graded hill with your knees slightly bent, with your hands slightly above your thighs, and with the tips of the skis closer together than the tails of the skis, making a forward facing V position.

On a small hill, stand without pressing the skis into the snow. Slowly let gravity turn you towards the bottom of the hill. The very slight grade of the hill, and the natural angulation of the skis when in this snow plow position, will keep you from going too fast.