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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.

We all want to hit the snow skiing, but, for the beginner, it’s important to have the proper expectations of ski instruction. The first day you’ll focus on stopping and turning. A good instructor can show you ski techniques quickly and easily that will get you off to a great start. Take the time to absorb these basics. We learn to ski in parts – not the whole. At the end of your first day you should be able to stop and turn left and right. Resist the urge to rush to the top of the mountain. It is one thing to turn and stop on soft snow, but quite another on the steep icy terrain one can encounter at the peaks. Stay in the beginner area, on gentle, soft snow. Build your confidence and work the basics of your first ski lesson.

Learn more @ Beginner Ski Instruction

As fun as it is to ski, it’s a cold activity. Following are three simple downhill skiing techniques that will help you stay warm all day, as much as possible anyway.

First, while we’re often anxious to get as many runs in as possible, it’s best not to shoot straight to the top of the mountain for your first run of the day. It’s cold up there! The first chairlift ride to the top alone can ruin your day and have you running to the lodge for a cup of hot cocoa. Instead, stick to the lower elevations where it is (usually) significantly warmer. Ski at this level until the sun gets a chance to warm up the mountain.

Second, it may sound simple, but ski the sunny areas. As best as possible, follow the sun around the mountain. After you’ve had a chance to acclimate yourself to the weather and your body is warmed up, then head wherever you like.

Third, dress right! Lots of folks tend to focus on looking cool, but they’re really cold. Downhill skiing is fun! It’s even better when you’re not freezing!

Just learning to ski? Learn more at Online Ski Lessons