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If you’re teaching kids how to ski, there are a few essential skills that every beginner needs to learn, including stopping, turning, and getting on and off a chairlift. Of all of these skills, teaching kids to turn on skis is the easiest skill to teach. As a former ski instructor, I believe that if you are on the right terrain and can focus, you can teach any kid to turn on skis!
We’ve talked a lot about the best ages to teach kids to ski and whether or not kids need ski lessons. Turning is one of the most important skills to teach when teaching kids to ski. Whether or not you’re teaching a toddler or a teen, these tips will help make things easier.
Watch Where You’re Going!!!!
The most important thing about teaching kids to maneuver on skis is to have them watch where they’re going. This is because where their eyes focus, their skis will naturally turn. That means that if they’re focused on a giant tree, and can’t stop looking at it, they’re probably going to head right towards it. If they’re looking at Mom and she keeps making nice, smooth turns, they’ll probably follow her path. It almost sounds too good to be true, but for the basics of teaching kids how to turn on skis, this is exactly where we focus our energy.
Before you teach kids to turn on skis
Before you get to the mechanics of turning, ensure your kids are comfortable with the basics: gliding, shuffling around, and the snowplow or pizza position to stop. All of these can be introduced on pretty flat terrain and practiced on a magic carpet surface lift area.
5 Steps to Teaching Kids To Turn on Skis
Remember that every kid is different. The tips below will work for about 95% of kids if you’re patient with them. Remember that some kids will master this skill in a few hours, where others might take a week or longer (especially for really young kids).
Step 1: Start with a Good Body Position
The proper stance is critical and we firmly believe that if kids learn to balance properly when they’re learning how to ski, it will help them all throughout their ski journey!
Have your kids stand with their skis parallel, knees slightly bent, and weight evenly distributed. They should feel relaxed and ready to move. Have them practice going from having their skis parallel to a wedge shape on flat ground and maintaining that good balance (if they’re struggling with this, use an edgie wedgie).
We recommend having kids put their hands on their hips or straight out in front of them (like they’re holding a steering wheel) to promote the best balance.
Step 2: Think About Shifting Weight
Turning on skis is all about weight transfer, but kids don’t know that and will be confused as you tell them that. Have your kids practice shifting their weight from one foot to the other while standing still. They can lift the uphill ski slightly to get used to the feeling of putting weight on one ski more than the other. We often teach kids how to do this by having them glide and do short sections where they glide/balance on one foot at a time. Again, don’t make this a major focus, just touch on this skill.
Kids usually learn to turn while in a snowplow position, which naturally creates a wedge shape with their skis. This ‘pizza wedge’ slows them down and gives them control. For older kids you can explain that to turn right, they gently need to put more weight on the left ski. To turn left, the weight shifts to the right ski. For younger kids, just skip those instructions – they’ll naturally figure it out!
Step 3: Practice on a Very Gradual Slope
Choose a gentle, wide slope for practicing turns. It should have enough of a gradient for them to move without pushing but not so steep that they really get going fast. Try and find a fill that isn’t crowded so you can focus on teaching them, not on avoiding other people (which often really scares kids).
Step 4: Play Follow The Leader
Without going into too much detail, tell your child that you’re going to play follow the leader. You’re the leader and they’re the follower. Explain that to play follow the leader on skis, they MUST always look at the leader (this is KEY). Start by making large, smooth turns, and having your child follow about 8-10 feet behind you.
As you go down tell them to keep their skis in your ski tracks if they want to play the game.
If you’re comfortable skiing backwards in a wedge, this always works best when you can maintain eye contact with your child. It’s not the most natural position, so I recommend practicing before you head up the hill with your child, and remembering to always keep glazing over your shoulder to look out for other skiers, riders, and obstacles.. Your turns should be pretty large and as your child figures out how to turn on skis better you can introduce them to smaller radius turns as well.
Step 5: Make Turning A Game
Turning on skis takes A LOT of practice before kids really get the hang of it and can ski independently. While older kids and adults might need just a day or two of practice, younger kids will need several months (or years for really young ones) to practice before they can be trusted to turn on their own on more difficult terrain. Not only does making turning into a game get kids excited, but it gives you a chance for face to face interaction with your kids where they can learn to trust and rely on you on the ski hill.
6 Great Games To Teach Kids How to Turn on Skis
Jet Pilot Turns
Quick Overview
Prepare for takeoff! This exciting drill transforms skiing into an imaginative flying adventure, encouraging kids to explore weight transfer and ski control while pretending they’re soaring through the sky like jet pilots. Sound effects and big, exaggerated movements keep them fully engaged.
What It Looks Like
Have kids extend their arms wide like the wings of an airplane as they ski down the slope. To “steer” their jet, they’ll dip their outside hand toward the snow with each turn, naturally shifting their weight to the outside ski. Emphasize dramatic, sweeping motions and encourage them to make fun airplane sounds like “whoosh” and “zoom” to stay entertained. Remind them that in this game, their wings move differently than a real airplane—leaning into the turn is the goal!
What It Teaches
This activity strengthens weight transfer skills and helps kids understand how to apply pressure to the outside ski for better control during turns. By blending skill-building with creative play, it keeps young skiers engaged and eager to improve.
Shooting Hoops
Quick Overview
Time to hit the court—on skis! This basketball-inspired drill helps kids develop proper turn mechanics by using the familiar motions of dribbling and shooting.
What It Looks Like
Ask kids to imagine they’re dribbling a basketball as they ski down the slope. As they enter the turn, they should get low and pretend to bounce the ball on the outside of the turn. As they finish the turn, they’ll stand up tall and “shoot” the ball toward an imaginary hoop. Encourage smooth, controlled movements and remind them to bend their knees and ankles rather than just leaning forward at the waist. For an extra challenge, have them focus on making each shot as fluid and natural as possible—just like a real basketball player sinking the perfect basket.
What It Teaches
This drill reinforces weight transfer to the outside ski and improves balance and coordination. Plus, incorporating a fun basketball theme keeps kids actively engaged and excited to refine their turns.
Barnyard Parade
Quick Overview
Bring the farm to the slopes! This silly, interactive activity gets kids laughing as they work on essential skiing skills in a fun and imaginative way.
What It Looks Like
Have kids line up and pick a barnyard animal to imitate. As they ski down the hill, they’ll follow the tracks of the person in front of them, making their animal sound every time they turn—moo like a cow, cluck like a chicken, or neigh like a horse! The more expressive they are, the more fun it becomes. Adults can join in to keep the energy high, and the wilder the animal impressions, the better the engagement!
What It Teaches
This activity helps kids develop rhythm in their turns, improve balance, and gain confidence in making well-shaped, consistent turns. Plus, it turns skiing into an unforgettable, giggle-filled adventure.
Race Car Drivers
Quick Overview
Vroom, vroom—get ready to race! This high-energy drill turns skiing into a thrilling race car game, helping kids learn to steer and control their turns using an imaginary steering wheel.
What It Looks Like
Ask kids to hold their hands out in front as if gripping a race car steering wheel. As they ski, they’ll “drive” their car by turning the wheel in the direction they want to go. To make it even more exciting, encourage them to lean forward slightly to “accelerate” and slow their movements to “brake.” Emphasize smooth, steady steering rather than jerky turns—just like a pro race car driver navigating a winding track. Add fun sound effects like revving engines or screeching tires to keep the excitement going!
What It Teaches
This drill strengthens edge control and turn coordination by connecting hand movements with ski steering. Since kids naturally mimic their hand motions with their feet, this activity helps reinforce how turns should feel. The racing theme keeps them fully engaged and having a blast.
Slalom Adventure Course
Quick Overview
Transform the slope into a fun and interactive challenge! Setting up a simple slalom course helps kids practice their turns in an engaging way that builds confidence.
What It Looks Like
Arrange 5-7 lightweight cones (or any small markers) in a line or zigzag pattern on an easy slope. Challenge the kids to weave through the cones, adjusting their turns to navigate both wide and tight spaces. To make it more exciting, encourage them to crouch down like ski racers or pretend they’re dodging trees in a dense forest. Since cones are portable and easy to set up, this activity can be done anywhere on the mountain.
What It Teaches
This drill helps kids develop turn control, balance, and agility while adapting to different speeds and body positions. The structured course gives them a clear goal to work toward while keeping practice fun and engaging.
Follow the Leader
Quick Overview
Take turns leading the pack! This fun group activity builds confidence and teaches kids to follow and mimic proper skiing techniques while fostering teamwork.
What It Looks Like
One skier is chosen as the leader, setting the pace, turns, and direction for the rest of the group to follow. The leader can add creative elements like arm movements or silly challenges to keep it entertaining. Before starting, establish boundaries to ensure safety—like staying on groomed trails and avoiding difficult terrain. Rotate leaders so everyone gets a chance to take charge, and begin with an adult demonstrating appropriate turns before letting kids lead.
What It Teaches
The main focus of this activity is turning! It helps kids refine their turn technique, improve control, and develop leadership skills. Plus, having a designated leader keeps the group engaged and encourages teamwork while making skiing feel like a playful adventure.
Tips For Teaching Kids to Turn On Skis
- Offer Positive Encouragment: Always encourage your kids, regardless of how many times they fall. Positive reinforcement goes a long way.
- Bring Treats: I always ski with treats in my pocket to give my kids a little boost when they’re struggling. It’s amazing how well kids will respond to skiing if they know they’ll get a couple of M&Ms on the chairlift.
- Practice Patience: Kids learn at their own pace. Allow them to be comfortable with each step before moving on. Sometimes it takes hours and other times it takes months. Skiing with kids is a long term game so practice lots of patience.
- Safety First: Make sure they know how to stop and slow down reliably before tackling steeper terrain.
- Model the Movement: Kids mimic what they see. Skiing in front of them and letting them follow your turns is the best way to model where to ski. We do this when our kids are beginners a lot, but also as they advance into more difficult terrain, we have them follow us as well.
- Take Breaks: Kids don’t last too long on the ski hill, so just plan on a short day. Hot chocolate breaks are your best friend, and it’s important to watch your child for cues that they’re getting tired or frustrated. Try to quit before they get overtired so they can end the day on a positive note. tire easily and a tired skier is more prone to accidents. Take breaks often to keep the energy up and the experience positive.