How to Stop on Skis: The J-Turn
Learning to stop on skis doesn’t have to mean grinding to a halt or hoping for the best. The wedge turn-to-stop, what most skiers know as the J-Turn, is one of the cleanest, most controlled ways to stop on a beginner hill, and it’s the skill that sets you up for everything that comes next.
What is a J-Turn?
The J-Turn, or wedge turn-to-stop, is exactly what it sounds like. You use a small wedge to get moving, then commit to a turn, right or left, and ride that arc all the way until your skis and your body stop moving completely.
It’s the go-to stopping technique when you’re on a beginner hill and not yet comfortable linking two turns together. Simple, controlled, and reliable.
How to J-Turn
Start at the top of the slope. Use a small wedge to begin sliding down, just enough to get some momentum going. From there, pick a direction: right or left. Then turn that way, all the way, until your skis and your body come to a complete stop.
That’s it. No fancy footwork. No sudden braking. Just a clean arc to a full stop.
The Key: Commit to the Turn
The most important part of this move is finishing it. A lot of skiers start the turn and back off before their body has fully stopped, which means they haven’t actually stopped. Stay in the turn all the way through. Let the arc do the work. Your skis will stop when you let them.
Practice It
At the top of the carpet or a gentle beginner slope, use your small wedge to get moving. Then pick a direction and turn all the way until you stop. Practice going right. Practice going left. Get comfortable in both directions.
When stopping with a turn feels natural on both sides, you’re ready to start linking turns together.
Want to practice this all summer? SNÖBAHN’s Summer of Shred credits are the fastest way to get consistent reps on snow… the biggest lesson discount we offer all year!
