Help! I can't stop in a snowplow on cross country skis

I often get letters from viewers of my you tube channel and this one deals with a skier that can't slow down in a snowplow and wants some help. Often leg position plays a role in this and in this video I show how to correct this. Thanks to our sponsor Auclair Gloves- auclair.com/. If you would like to join our on line ski school for help with your cross country skiing contact me at [e-mail] Also check out this blog post for more information on this topic- keithnicol.blog...
Also see these other videos which may help you slow down on your cross country skis-
• How to slow down on cr... How to slow down on xc skis
• How to stop on Cross C... How to Stop on XC Skis
• Improve your snowplow ... How to make snow plow turns on cross country skis

[@adqak503]

Novice skier who gains more confidence in my technique every time I watch one of your videos. Thank you.

[@k2nicol]

Thanks for the note

[@DCKiwi79]

Thanks for answering my letter! I’ll be trying that next time I’m out at Cypress. I’ve met others recently with the same issue so I’m sure this video will help them too.

[@k2nicol]

Hope it helps.

[@DCKiwi79]

@@k2nicol I'm happy to report it helped a lot! For the first time, I managed to snowplough on all the steeper hills on my normal route at Cypress. Thanks!

[@peartreedu]

I think an important point is what the body looks like at speed. You wouldn't be standing upright. You'd want a low center of gravity. I find that this not only helps with braking due to the wider hip positon, but with weight distribution to handle changes in speed without falling forwards. Imagine trying to brake with your body upright. You fall forwards, which compromises your ability to hold the snow plow position. Pole dragging also helps. You can try side slipping one ski (or two if you're really good). Also try traversing (though it's tough on narrow trails, like the ones in Cypress).

[@WASF2024]

Tried today for the 1st time. I'm almost 61, short, chubby and was on skis I could barely maneuver. Could NOT snow plough at all. "My knees don't do that." LOL. I want to try again. I feel like I need to get ankle weights and do some exercises that mimic the plough position.

[@dr.preetamsingh750]

Keith your videos are very lucid and helpful. Keep on doing this good work. I am a 66 years old cross country skier from India.

[@k2nicol]

I don't get too many people from India responding to my videos so glad the videos help

[@malachymoran7884]

Thank you! I ate it on several hills today and I needed this simple explanation

[@marcellofoglia5304]

Grazie infinite. Le tue spiegazioni sono veramente semplici ed efficaci.

[@k2nicol]

Thanks for your note..appreciate it

[@k1mura92]

Great video, very helpful. Cheers from Norway!

[@kevinmarron7523]

Brilliant! Thank you! I have been snow plowing with knock-knees for years getting terrible results. I’ll try your suggestions next time I’m out on the trails!

[@k2nicol]

Let me know if this helps next time you head out

[@kevinmarron7523]

Will do!

[@kevinmarron7523]

@@k2nicol I had a chance to try your suggestions yesterday at the Leaf Lake trail in Algonquin Park. My control was far better, but I still have to fine tune my technique on steeper, narrow pitches. But, again, thank you because I think you corrected my fundamental problem of snow ploughing knock-kneed.

[@petarvasilev27]

Thank you for your video. I have been skiing for the first time today and my instructor kept saying “keep your knees inwards” despite them almost always touching. When I tried snow plowing on a steep slope, I would just keep accelerating despite the ski being quite close together and I just couldn’t figure it out. He never told me to keep my knees apart. I will try keeping my feet apart tomorrow. I am also quite heavily flat footed and every time I try to snow plow, my feet are burning like hell to a point where after 5-10 minutes I don’t feel them. It is possible that my knees kissing is making this worse but it is honestly making it non enjoyable for me. Perhaps for next time I will try to get special soles.

[@k2nicol]

Glad the video helped..good luck with your skiing

[@hyfinkelstein1216]

If the hill is steep or icy, the snowplow alone will not totally stop you. You need to do a snowplow and turn across the hill. You will no longer be facing downhill and you will stop.

[@k2nicol]

You are right..I do have a video on the hockey stop which will work on steeper hills . Check it out if interested.

[@rachelschendel2476]

That's scary when both sides of the track are full of trees 🌳 😳 😬

[@rsantos15]

Thanks for this. U have very precisely diagnosed my problem. My knees are indeed too close together, forming a triangle. I also form that same triangle when doing a regular push off when doing V1. Can you say why?

[@k2nicol]

If you skate like that you likely land on your edges? Our on line ski instruction can help with that..contact me at [e-mail] if interested?

[@blomidon]

Thanks Keith just what I was looking for. I’ll have to try those hints the next time we go to Blowmedown. We went above freezing yesterday but we now have a good dump of snow. Thanks Grandpa.

[@k2nicol]

Let me know how it works

[@bryanleaver]

I'm a below knee amputee and trying to snow plow. Can you one leg plow?

[@k2nicol]

Yes..check out my video on slowing down from the tracks..it shows a half plow.

[@nancyborremans2949]

When you snow plow is your ski flat on the snow or on edge?

[@k2nicol]

A natural edge..meaning a slight edge.

[@ront4782]

Edge pressure totally depends on how icy the conditions are. Using a "natural edge" on ice rink conditions will not help you. Sometimes you only need slight pressure, other times you need to get on the edges hard, like an ice scrapper on a icy windshield.

[@ront4782]

weight is not forward enough. Should be on balls of feet. This is incorrect instruction.

[@k2nicol]

You will note that I said at the outset of the video that you want to be "flexed at ankles, knees and hips"..if you do this you are on centred on your skis - ie on the balls of your feet.

[@ront4782]

@@k2nicol What you say and what I see are two different things. Sorry to burst your bubble.

[@Jamesns35]

@@ront4782 Looks pretty good to me.. maybe we will listen to you when you have your own set of extremely helpful KZbin videos. Thank you @k2nicol, you rock.

[@jessecrawford807]

Thank you Keith!!

[@greyglider6229]

great video, thanks Kieth! Any tips for icy patches on steeper downhills (besides bailing, my usual go-to!)?

[@k2nicol]

Keep your ankles and knees bent ..don't panic..once you move on your heels on ice it is fe over. You want to stay forward with arms out

[@ront4782]

tip I used when training: at the bottom, switch skis because you have worn out your grip wax on a long, icy downhill (assuming you are waxing) on the inside edge. Also, do weight transfer turns to take the pressure off your knees. Unweight one side and turn across the groomed area, then the other. Slows you down because you are traversing a bit and is not so hard on your joints. I was an international ski instructor for Norges Skiforengingen. Taught Norwegians and tourists visiting Oslo for years.

[@greyglider6229]

@@k2nicol Thanks!!

[@greyglider6229]

Thanks!!@@ront4782