As you continue skiing your skills will progress. However, it is important to know and learn about the basics and other techniques that will help you advance.
When you are learing to ski, one of the most important things is learning how to stop. Wehn you are beginning you will be taught a 'pizza' stop. A 'pizza' stop is where you you point the tips of your skis together and make a triangle. This allows for an easy stop or a way to slow down.
'French fries' is referred to as parallel skiing. It is important to keep your skis straight and parallel to each other. This is so you do not fall and have a better center of gravity.
As you begin to ski more and become more advanced, you may learn carving. Carving is important because when you ski on icy trails, it keeps you from falling. In order to carve, you must dig your skis into the ice when you turn.
A parallel stop is a more advanved version of a 'pizza' stop. A parallel stop is more useful when you have to stop quickly. To perform a parallel stop you must be skiing down the mountain and when you reach the end, you turn your body and your skis so that you're sideways. Make sure to dig in the sides of your skis.