Key takeaways
- The stem christie starts with a stem (wedge) to initiate, then finishes with the skis parallel.
- 'Christie' refers to the skidded parallel phase of the turn.
- It's a transitional turn bridging the beginner snowplow and the advanced parallel turn.
- It gives the security of a stem to start while developing parallel skills to finish.
'Christie' from Christiania (old name of Oslo), where the parallel skid turn developed.
What the stem christie is
The stem christie is a classic transitional ski turn that begins by stemming one ski out into a wedge to start the turn, then brings the skis parallel to finish it — ‘christie’ meaning the skidded parallel phase. It combines a stable, stemmed start with a parallel finish.
Where it fits
It’s the middle step in the classic progression: the beginner snowplow (wedge) turn keeps both skis wedged throughout; the advanced parallel turn keeps them parallel throughout; the stem christie sits between, starting with a stem for security and matching parallel for the second half — the stem shrinking as your skills grow until the turn becomes fully parallel.
A skier moving beyond the snowplow starts each turn by stemming the uphill ski out for a confident, controlled entry, then slides the other ski alongside to finish parallel — linking stem christies down the slope as a bridge toward true parallel turns.
Is it still taught?
It’s a classic from traditional progressions. Modern instruction often uses more direct paths to parallel skiing (and shaped skis changed teaching), but the stem christie remains a useful concept, and the stemmed entry is still a practical tool — many skiers naturally stem to start turns in difficult snow, on steeps, or when cautious. The skill stays relevant on the way to carving and dynamic turns.
The bottom line
The stem christie is the classic transitional ski turn: stem one ski out to start the turn, then bring the skis parallel to finish (the skidded 'christie' phase). It bridges the beginner snowplow and the advanced parallel turn, offering a secure stemmed start while you build parallel skills. Even where it's taught less formally today, the stemmed entry stays a practical tool in tricky snow and on steeps.
Frequently asked questions
What is a stem christie?
The stem christie is a transitional ski turn that begins by 'stemming' one ski outward into a wedge (like a half-snowplow) to start the turn, then bringing both skis parallel to complete it in a skidded parallel phase (the 'christie'). It combines the stability of a stemmed start with a parallel finish, and was historically a major stepping stone in learning to ski.
How does the stem christie fit between snowplow and parallel turns?
It's the middle step. The snowplow (wedge) turn keeps both skis in a wedge throughout and is the beginner's first turn. The parallel turn keeps the skis parallel throughout and is the advanced goal. The stem christie sits between them: you start the turn with a stem for security and control, then match the skis parallel for the second half — gradually shrinking the stem as your skills improve until the turn becomes fully parallel.
Is the stem christie still taught?
It's a classic technique from traditional teaching progressions, and while modern instruction often uses more direct paths to parallel skiing (and shaped skis have changed teaching), the stem christie remains a useful concept and movement, and the stemmed entry is still a practical tool. Many skiers naturally use a stem to start turns in difficult snow, on steeps, or when cautious, so the underlying skill stays relevant even where the named turn is taught less formally.
Sources
- Ski instruction — PSIA-AASI
- Snow sports skills — The Mountaineers