The Stem Christie (short for Stem Christiania) is a transitional skiing technique that sits between the basic Snowplow (pizza) and the advanced Parallel Turn.
It was the gold standard for teaching intermediate skiers for decades because it allows you to maintain control on steeper terrain before you have the balance or speed to keep your skis perfectly parallel throughout a turn.
How the Move Works
The Stem Christie is essentially a “hybrid” turn. It starts with one technique and ends with another:
- The Stem (The Start): As you begin your turn, you “stem” (push out) the tail of your outside ski into a wedge or V-shape. This helps initiate the change in direction and controls your speed.
- The Christie (The Finish): Once you are halfway through the turn and your skis are pointing across the fall line, you slide your inside ski over so that it is parallel to the outside ski. You finish the turn with both skis together, gliding on their edges.
Why Do It?
- Safety: It provides a stable platform when you’re nervous about speed.
- Bridge to Parallel: It teaches you how to shift your weight onto the outside ski—a fundamental skill for all advanced skiing.
- Versatility: It is still useful today for navigating narrow trails, heavy “mashed potato” snow, or when carrying a heavy backpack where a pure parallel turn might be unstable.
Comparison: Then vs. Now
| Technique | Positioning | Skill Level |
| Snowplow | Skis stay in a “V” shape the whole time. | Beginner |
| Stem Christie | Skis start in a “V” and finish parallel. | Intermediate |
| Parallel | Skis stay parallel throughout the entire arc. | Advanced |
Note: With the invention of modern carving skis (which have a “waist” or hourglass shape), the Stem Christie is taught less often than it used to be. Modern skis are designed to turn almost automatically when tipped on edge, allowing many skiers to skip the “stemming” phase entirely.