SkiGreat.com

We talk about balance a lot in relation to ski techniques and beginner ski instruction. Without it, we’ll simply never learn to ski. Yet, many ski lessons focus on technical discussions. Let’s try to simplify the concept of balance in regards to downhill skiing.

When you’re standing in your sneakers you’re balanced over your feet regardless of your shoe size – 7″ or 14″. When you take a step forward you flex your ankle forward and balance on one foot. You do this every day and don’t even think about it. Now, think about this with skis on.

When we put on skis the extra length gives us even more leverage to balance. Because of this, we often lean too far forward or too far back. Avoid doing this. Just as when we are balanced when standing in our socks, we can create and learn to feel the same balance with downhill skis on.

At your next ski lesson (or even in your living room with skis on), flex your ankle forward to maintain shin-to-boot contact. Again, don’t lean too far back or too far forward. Just pretend you’re about to take a step (like you do every day) and feel how your body naturally positions itself to maintain balance. It’s subtle, but it’s the critical step for beginner ski instruction. Master this and it’s all downhill…

By Gerard