Kick Turn
You'll be able to turn around on any slope without skiing, giving you an important safety option when terrain gets too challenging.
A stationary technique for reversing direction on a steep slope — swinging one ski around 180 degrees while balancing on the other.
Watch & Learn
Not clicking? Try a different teaching style below:
Key Moments
Plant both poles uphill for support before starting the kick
Swing your lower ski up, tip it toward you, then plant it in the new direction
Shift fully onto the turned ski before bringing the second ski around
Swing the remaining ski to join the first — now you face the opposite direction
What It Should Feel Like
- ✓Deliberate and slightly awkward the first time — like a pivot on ice but on a steep snowy slope
- ✓Your poles are anchors — lean on them confidently while your skis do the rotating
- ✓A flash of commitment as you shift weight to the newly pointed ski before the second follows
Common Mistakes & Fixes
Not planting poles firmly enough uphill
Drive poles into the slope above you — they are your only support during the swing
Trying to swing both skis at once
One ski at a time — fully weight the first in its new direction before moving the second
Doing the kick turn on too steep a slope to start
Learn on a very gentle pitch first until the movement feels automatic
Practice Drills
Flat ground practice: perform kick turns on completely flat terrain first — removes the balance challenge so you can focus on the movement pattern
Slow-motion kick: do each step with a 3-second pause between movements — builds confidence at each phase before connecting them
Both directions: always practice the kick turn in both directions — your non-dominant side needs equal repetitions