5 Things You Need to Know About Doing a Kick Turn in Skiing

1. Getting Around

One of the inevitable things with skiing is that no matter how far you ski or which trail you take, eventually you'll need to turn around. But what do you do when you don't have room for a turn? How about when you're stuck in a steep chute where your ability won't allow you to change directions? The answer is the kick turn. There are two basic types of kick turns: the uphill and upside down kick turns. Which one you use depends largely on your circumstances and the type of terrain.

2. Mastering the Downhill Kick Turn

Probably the easiest type of kick turn to learn is the downhill kick turn. It's the type of kick turn that is most frequently taught in ski schools across the country. When conditions won't allow you to perform a downhill kick turn (such as very steep conditions), you may feel more comfortable performing an upside down kick turn.

3. Balance is Everything

Start by standing perpendicular to the fall line with your skis parallel to each other. Your poles should be at your side with the tips in the snow. Move the downhill ski pole back and push it into the snow just behind your hips. Use the poles for balance while you perform your kick turn. Putting all of your weight on the uphill ski, lift your downhill ski and extend your leg in front of you, so that your knee is straight. Put the tail end of the ski in the snow, approximately even with the uphill ski tip. Leaning slightly uphill while using your ski poles for balance, pivot your downhill ski on its tail until it is 180 degrees from the starting position. You should now be standing with your weight evenly distributed on both skis--the uphill ski pointing forward and the downhill ski pointing backward. Shift all of your weight onto the downhill ski while slightly bending your downhill knee. Once your downhill leg is supporting your weight, lift the uphill ski off the snow and swing it around until it is next to the original downhill ski. The skis should be parallel to each other. Lift the ski poles and return them to their original position on either side of your body.

4. The Uphill Kick Turn

For uphill kick turns, start by using the same stance as the downhill kick turn: you should be facing across the hill with your weight evenly distributed on both skis and your ski poles at your side. Put both ski poles into the snow uphill of your body, approximately shoulder width apart and lean uphill. Lift the uphill foot off the snow and pull the ski backward as you pivot around the downhill leg. Don’t forget to lean on your poles. Continue pulling the uphill ski around until is it parallel to the other ski. Your uphill ski should be pointing to the right and the downhill ski pointing to the left. Move the poles to the left side a few inches and lift your uphill ski up and to the right. The right ski tip should be pointing toward the sky. Once the tail of your right foot has cleared the snow, pivot the ski and point it to the left until it is parallel and facing the same direction as the left ski. Both skis should now be parallel and pointing in the same direction. Stand up, distributing your weight evenly onto both skis and return your ski poles to your sides.

5. Practice is Key

Both types of kick turns are the most effective ways to change directions when the going gets tough and there's no room to complete a traditional turn. Before you attempt any type of kick turn on challenging terrain, practice them on the flat and then on moderate terrain.