Learning to ski well requires balance. While strengthening your body is important, it’s secondary. No matter how strong you are, if you don’t ski balanced you’ll be wiped out at the end of the day – if not sooner. If you’ve wondered why lots of skiers head for the lodge by early afternoon, it’s because they‘re not skiing properly and thus tiring their bodies too quickly. Following are three tips/exercises to enhance your balance.
First, let’s get the concept of balance straight in regards to downhill skiing. Picture the seventy-year-old guy effortlessly skiing down the mountain. He’s not “strong” per se, but you’ll notice that he skis perfectly balanced. His bones are stacked, hips over feet. He’s not leaning too far back straining his thigh muscles or too far forward straining his calves. Instead, just as when we walk, he leans forward just enough to ski down the mountain and maintain good momentum.
Second, exercise is important, but it needs to combine a component of balance. Bench presses won’t help (although you may look buff); you’ll still fall on your ass. Instead consider a Bosu ball. This is simply a ball with a flat bottom and round top that you hop on and off. It’s like stepping on jelly, but it’s a great exercise to wake up your inner balance.
Third, if you’re physically active, you’re likely already doing stretching exercises. Try this; stand on one leg and pull your foot up to your butt to stretch your quads. Balance on one foot for a count of ten without holding on to anything. Then do the other leg. After you’re comfortable with this, do it with your eyes closed.
Balance is a fundamental component of sports, but it’s paramount for skiing.