The Fastest Way I’ve Found to Help a Kid Start Turning on Skis
Reading Time: 5 minutes TL;DR Summary: Kids turn when they feel safe and playful, not pressured and over-coached. I created a short rhyming story called Swoosh the Snow-saurus that consistently helps beginner kids start turning quickly (yes, really). It’s designed to be read before skiing, then used as a simple on-snow assignment. It’s been one of the most reliable ways I’ve found to help a straight-line kid start making turns.
If you’ve ever watched your kid point their skis straight downhill and refuse to turn, you know the feeling. It’s stressful. It’s confusing. And it can make you feel helpless because you’re thinking, “We’ve explained this 20 times… why isn’t it working?”
Here’s the truth: most kids who won’t turn aren’t being stubborn. They’re overwhelmed. And the fastest “fix” I’ve found isn’t another technical explanation. It’s a different approach entirely.
Why “Just Turn” Doesn’t Work, Even When You Say It Nicely
On paper, turning sounds simple. But for a beginner kid, turning can feel like:
- “I’m going too fast.”
- “My skis feel out of control.”
- “If I turn, I might fall.”
- “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with my body.”
So when a parent says “turn left… now turn right,” the kid often does the only thing their brain thinks will keep them safe: they get stiff, point downhill, and try to survive the run.
Turning is confidence first. Technique second.
The Best Shortcut I Know: Make It Fun Enough That Turning Happens Naturally
Kids don’t learn well when they’re tense. They learn when they’re playing. When a child is fully focused on something fun, their body starts moving more naturally:
- They loosen up
- They look where they’re going
- They shift side-to-side without thinking about it
In other words… they stop “trying to ski” and start doing something on skis. And that’s where turning sneaks in.
The Lesson That Made Me Say, “I Need to Turn This Into a Book”
I had a boy in a lesson who would only go straight down the hill.
His parents were doing what good parents do. They were trying everything. But the more they tried to coach, the more locked-up he got.
So on the bunny lift, I tried something different: I gave him a simple story-based assignment.
Within minutes, he was turning. Not because I barked instructions. Not because he suddenly cared about perfect form. He was turning because he was bought into the idea.
Later that day I saw the family again, and the kid was still doing it. Still turning all over the place like it had become his new favorite thing. That’s the moment I realized this wasn’t just a “one lesson” trick — it was something parents could use anytime.
Swoosh the Snow-saurus to the Rescue
Swoosh the Snow-saurus is a rhyming bedtime story for beginner skiers (recommended ages 5–8) that helps kids start turning by giving them a playful, memorable on-snow mission.
I’m intentionally keeping the details light here because the story setup is the whole point — and I don’t want to spoil it.
Here’s what I can say confidently:
- It’s simple enough for parents to use
- It keeps kids focused on fun instead of fear
- It consistently helps many “straight-down” kids start turning quickly
- You don’t need to lecture or coach technique the entire run
If your child is a straight-liner right now, this is one of the most reliable tools I’ve found to help turning “click.”
If Your Child Won’t Turn, You’re Not Stuck
Here is a Good Solution
A lot of parents think, “Maybe my kid just isn’t ready.” Sometimes they’re ready… they just need the right approach.
If you want the fastest way I know to help a beginner kid start turning, grab the book.
Or, go to my Ski With Tony website to learn more.
FAQs About Kids Not Turning in Skis and My Book
What ages is this best for?
Kids ages 5–8 learning on the bunny hill and easy green runs.
What if my child is scared of speed?
This approach helps because it reduces pressure. When pressure drops, fear often drops, and movement starts to happen.
Do I need to be a strong skier?
No. This is designed for parents who aren’t instructors. Your job is to keep it simple and keep it fun.
Does this replace a lesson?
No — it’s a tool. Lessons can still be great. This just makes practice time more productive and less stressful.
How many times should we read it?
More than once is better. Kids love repetition, and repetition helps the “mission” stick.
Glossary of Terms:
- Bunny hill: The beginner area with the gentlest slopes, usually served by a small lift or magic carpet.
- Green run: A beginner ski trail (the easiest marked difficulty at most ski areas).
- S-turns: A simple left-right turning pattern that helps control speed and direction.
- Across the hill: Skiing more sideways than straight downhill to reduce speed and feel more in control.
- Speed control: Using turn shape (not panic stops) to manage how fast your child is going.
- Panic stop: When a child suddenly stiffens up and tries to stop all at once because they feel out of control.
- “One cue” coaching: Giving a single simple reminder (instead of multiple instructions) so kids don’t freeze up.
- Confidence-first learning: The idea that many kids need to feel safe and playful before technique starts clicking.
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