Parallel Turns
You'll stop snow-plowing and start linking rounded, controlled parallel turns down groomed runs with speed and control.
The foundation of confident skiing — carving turns with both skis moving in unison across the fall line.
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Watch & Learn
Key Moments
Hip-width apart, knees flexed, weight centered
Tipping both skis to initiate the turn
Plant downhill pole at turn initiation
Shift onto outside ski through the arc
What It Should Feel Like
- ✓Your outside ski feels like it's gripping a rail
- ✓You're steering your knees into the hill
- ✓The turn completes itself — you're not muscling it
Common Mistakes & Fixes
Leaning back on the tails
Press shins against boot tongues throughout
Skis splitting apart mid-turn
Focus on moving knees together as a unit
Upper body rotating into the turn
Keep shoulders pointing downhill, let hips follow
Practice Drills
Garland exercise: make 5 half-turns in one direction without completing the arc, then switch sides — feels the edge loading
One-ski skiing: ski down balancing on your outside ski only, lifting the inside — forces correct weight transfer
Counting the arc: count 'one, two, three' for each turn and make sure each number happens at a different spot across the hill
The full guide
Reviewed September 2026
How to learn Parallel Turns
A parallel turn is a turn in which both skis tip onto matching edges and steer through the arc together, with no wedge at the start. It's the next step for skiers who make comfortable wedge christies on green terrain and want to ski blue runs with less effort. With practice, you should be able to link rounded parallel turns on easy blue groomers and control your speed with turn shape.
What it is and when you'll use it
In a parallel turn your skis stay roughly hip-width apart and change edges at the same moment. Early on, your turns will include some controlled skidding, which is normal. With practice the skid shrinks and the skis begin to cut cleaner arcs, which is where carving begins.
This is the turn you'll use for most of your skiing on groomed terrain. Short, tight versions handle narrow trails and steeper pitches, while longer ones suit wide, open runs.
Before you start
You should already make wedge christies, where your skis match partway through the turn, plus a controlled sideslip and a basic hockey stop. Those skills teach the edge release and leg steering a parallel turn needs from the very start.
Choose a wide, gentle run you know well, such as a groomed green or the easiest blue. Terrain that feels steep makes you brace and lean back, which pulls you straight into a wedge. Boots buckled firmly, without being painful, make it much easier to tip the skis precisely.
Step by step
Practice this sequence at a moderate speed, since a little momentum makes the skis easier to turn.
- Set up an athletic stance: feet about hip-width apart, ankles and knees flexed, shins lightly touching your boot tongues, and hands forward.
- Travel across the slope on your uphill edges, with most of your weight on the downhill ski.
- Release the old edges by flattening both skis, using a gentle rise or a relaxing of the legs, so the skis are free to change direction.
- As you release, touch your downhill pole in the snow to help time the move.
- Tip both skis toward the new turn together, starting from your feet and ankles, and let the new inside ski lead slightly so it doesn't lag behind.
- Steer both legs through the turn while your upper body keeps facing mostly down the hill. Pressure will build naturally on the outside ski.
- Continue across the fall line until your speed feels right, then release and start the next turn.
Why it works
Skis are designed to turn when they're tipped and pressured. Tipping both at once puts them on matching edges, so they follow similar paths instead of working against each other the way wedged skis do. Each ski's sidecut helps it bend into an arc, and gentle rotation of your legs guides it.
Most of your weight ends up on the outside ski because that's the ski resisting the pull of the turn. Balancing on it, with your upper body quiet and facing mostly downhill, keeps you stable and ready to switch to the other ski. It also means the skis, not your torso, do the turning.
How to practice it
Begin with wedge christies and try to match your skis a little earlier each turn until the wedge is tiny. Garlands teach the edge release in isolation, and short sideslips that you stop by setting your edges build the same feeling from the other direction.
Once the wedge has disappeared on green terrain, try an easy blue on a quiet day. Aim for rounder turns rather than faster ones, and vary your turn size so you can handle different trail widths. If your skis keep returning to a wedge, drop back to easier terrain and rebuild.
Common questions
How long does it take to learn parallel turns?
There's no set timeline. Some skiers make their first parallel turns within a few days on snow, while others take a season or more, especially if they only ski a few days a year. Lessons, regular practice, and comfortable terrain usually help more than anything else.
Why do my skis keep going back into a wedge?
It's usually a sign that the terrain feels too steep, your speed is too high, or your weight has drifted back. The wedge is a natural defensive reflex. Return to gentler slopes, focus on tipping the inside ski early, and step up again once your confidence has rebuilt.
Should my feet be close together in parallel turns?
No. Older styles favored skis clamped together, but modern teaching uses a stance around hip width. It gives you a wider base of support and lets each leg tip and steer on its own, which suits today's shaped skis.
Is it bad to ski in the back seat?
It makes parallel turns much harder. When your weight sits behind your feet, the tips lose grip, the skis are hard to steer, and your thighs tire quickly. Flex at the ankles so your shins stay in contact with your boots, and keep your hands forward where you can see them.