How to Stop on Ice Skates

By the Ice Skating Near You Editorial Team · October 7, 2026 · 8 min read

The easiest way to stop on ice skates is the snowplow: bend your knees, push your heels out, and point your toes slightly in so your blades scrape the ice. Once that works, learn the T-stop, then work toward the hockey stop as a long-term goal.

Knowing how to stop is what lets you relax on the ice. It is worth practicing early, even before you feel fast.

The Foundations of Every Stop

All stops on ice work the same way. You turn part of your blade sideways to your direction of travel and press it into the ice, so it shaves a little snow instead of gliding. That friction slows you down.

A few habits make every stop easier:

• Bend your knees. Stopping with straight legs is the top reason stops fail. Bent knees let you press into the ice and absorb the slowdown.
• Keep your weight centered. Lean back and your feet shoot forward. Lean too far forward and you tip over the toes.
• Apply pressure gradually. Ease into the stop. Slamming your blades sideways usually causes a stumble.
• Keep your chest up and eyes ahead. Looking down shifts your weight forward.
• Start slow. Learn every stop at walking speed first, then build up.

Blade condition matters too. If your blades are very dull, they may skid rather than grip. Our guide on how often to sharpen ice skates explains what to look for.

The Two-Foot Snowplow Stop

This is the first stop most skaters learn. If you have skied, it will feel familiar.

Step by Step

1. Glide forward slowly on two feet, about hip-width apart.
2. Bend your knees a little more than usual.
3. Push your heels outward so your feet form a slight "A" shape, toes closer together than heels.
4. Press down and out through the middle of both blades. You should feel and hear a light scrape.
5. Keep pressing evenly until you come to a stop.

Common Problems

• Nothing happens: You are not pressing hard enough, or your legs are too straight. Bend more and push out more firmly.
• Toes cross and you trip: You turned your toes in too far. Keep the angle small.
• You tip forward: Your weight is too far over your toes. Sit back slightly, as if into a chair.

The One-Foot Snowplow Stop

The one-foot snowplow uses only one blade to scrape while the other glides straight. It is more controlled at higher speeds and is a step toward the hockey stop.

1. Glide forward on two feet with knees bent.
2. Keep most of your weight on your gliding foot, which stays pointed straight ahead.
3. Slide your stopping foot slightly forward and turn its toe inward, so the blade angles across your path.
4. Push that blade out and press down through the middle of it to scrape the ice.
5. Gradually shift more pressure onto the scraping blade until you stop.

Practice with both feet. Most people have a stronger side, but being able to stop with either foot makes you a more confident skater.

The T-Stop

The T-stop is a classic for figure skaters and recreational skaters. You drag one blade behind you, forming a T shape with your feet.

Step by Step

1. Glide forward on one foot, which will be your front foot. Keep that knee bent.
2. Lift your other foot and turn it sideways so it is perpendicular to your front foot.
3. Place that back foot behind the heel of your front foot, forming a T.
4. Lower the back blade gently onto the ice and let it drag, pressing lightly with the outside edge.
5. Increase pressure gradually until you slow to a stop.

Tips for the T-Stop

• Keep your shoulders and hips facing forward. Twisting your upper body makes you spin.
• Keep the back foot close behind the front heel, not far out to the side.
• Press with the whole blade on its outside edge. Dragging only the toe can catch and trip you.
• Keep your front knee bent the whole time. Most of your weight stays over the front foot.

Never use the toe pick on figure skates to stop. Dragging it can catch suddenly and send you forward. If you are not sure whether your skates have a toe pick, see figure skates vs hockey skates.

The Hockey Stop: An Advanced Goal

The hockey stop is the fast, sideways stop that sprays snow. It is used in hockey and by many experienced recreational skaters, and it works on figure skates too, though hockey skates make it a bit easier.

Think of it as a goal to work toward after you are comfortable skating at moderate speed and doing a strong one-foot snowplow.

How It Works

1. Skate forward at a comfortable speed, knees bent.
2. Look ahead in your direction of travel.
3. Quickly turn your hips and both feet sideways, about 90 degrees, while keeping your shoulders mostly facing forward.
4. Your feet stay roughly shoulder-width apart, with the front foot on its inside edge and the back foot on its outside edge.
5. Sink down by bending your knees, and press both blades into the ice to scrape to a stop.
6. Lean slightly against the direction of the stop so you do not tip over sideways.

Building Up to It

• Start by practicing the turn of the hips while gliding very slowly, scraping only lightly.
• Try it with mostly your front foot first, which is similar to a one-foot snowplow turned fully sideways.
• Add the back foot once the front foot is consistent.
• Practice turning both directions. Most people have a favorite side, and the other one takes longer.
• Expect some falls while learning. A helmet is a good idea, and practicing near the wall helps.

Practice Drills

Short, focused drills build stops faster than random skating. Try these during quieter parts of a public session, staying out of busy traffic.

Stationary Scrape

Standing still near the wall, push one foot out to the side in a snowplow shape and scrape a little snow. Bring it back and repeat. Then switch feet. This teaches you how much pressure creates a scrape.

Snowplow Ladders

Glide, snowplow to a full stop, march a few steps, and repeat across the length of the rink. Gradually start each glide with a little more speed.

Stop at the Line

Pick a line or marking on the ice and try to stop right on it. Aiming at a target builds control, not just slowing down.

Alternating Feet

Do one-foot snowplows, alternating left foot and right foot each time. This keeps your weaker side from falling behind.

T-Stop Glides

Glide on one foot for a count of three, then set the back blade down into a T. Repeat on the other foot.

Slow-Motion Hockey Turns

At walking speed, turn your hips sideways and scrape lightly. Focus on keeping your shoulders steady and knees bent rather than on stopping hard.

Which Stop Should You Learn First?

Stop	Difficulty	Best for
Two-foot snowplow	Beginner	First sessions, slow speeds
One-foot snowplow	Beginner to intermediate	More control at moderate speed
T-stop	Intermediate	Smooth, controlled stops, common in figure skating
Hockey stop	Advanced	Quick stops at speed

Start with the two-foot snowplow, then move down the list as each one becomes reliable. There is no rush. A dependable snowplow is enough to skate safely at any public session.

If you are still working on the basics of gliding and balance, start with our beginner's guide to ice skating, and check how ice skates should fit since a loose boot makes every stop harder.

Ready to put this into practice? Browse ice rinks by state or search the directory.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest way to stop on ice skates?

The two-foot snowplow is the easiest stop for most beginners. You push your heels out and point your toes slightly inward so both blades scrape the ice and slow you down.

Why can't I stop on ice skates?

The most common reasons are straight knees, pushing too hard at once, and blades that are dull or sharpened unevenly. Bend your knees more, apply pressure gradually, and ask the rink about blade sharpening if the blades never seem to grip.

Can you use the toe pick to stop on figure skates?

Dragging the toe pick is not a reliable or safe stop. It can catch suddenly and pitch you forward. Use a snowplow or T-stop instead.

How long does it take to learn a hockey stop?

It varies widely. Many skaters need to be comfortable gliding, skating at moderate speed, and doing a strong snowplow first, then practice the hockey stop over many sessions before it feels reliable.

Is it okay to stop by running into the wall?

Using the boards to stop is common for brand-new skaters, but it is not safe at speed and can block other skaters. Learn the snowplow early so you can stop anywhere on the ice.