Authored by Brad Isaac, OTR/L, CHT, Regional Director of ATI Physical Therapy’s Ohio Clinics
Alpine (downhill) skiing is great recreational sport. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy a winter’s day by yourself, with friends, or family members. I enjoy the ‘down time’ with my family because it allows us to enjoy each other without many distractions, in some beautiful settings. Many options exist for the beginner to the expert skier at most ski resorts and destinations to make it easy or challenging depending on your skill level. It’s important to follow some basic steps and precautions while skiing, so you can enjoy your skiing adventure even more, and avoid potential injuries to yourself and others.
Skiiing Safety Tips:
- If you have never skied please take a class so you can learn and not danger yourself or other skiers. Instructors will keep you safe, teach you quickly, and make it fun.
- Make sure that you know how to stop. Learn how to master the ‘WEDGE’ position so you can control your speed and direction.
- Keep a centered and mobile stance. Knees and ankles slightly bent and weight over the balls of your feet, while maintaining movement in all your joints. Stay off your heels and resist leaning back or too far forward – STAY CENTERED.
- Remember to keep your skis straight to go fast; to go slower, open your legs sideways and spread out the tails of your skis wider (tips stay together). This makes a bigger wedge until it causes you to stop.
- Turn by pivoting with your lower body. As you turn, pivot your skis to the direction you want to travel. Your legs should always turn before your upper body does. As you start skiing, you will (should) feel some skidding as you enter the turn.
- Provide pressure to the downhill ski versus the uphill ski. This makes it easier to turn and will feel more natural.
- Get on a chair lift with pole straps off your wrists and both skis pointed straight ahead – look back to grab the chair, sit, and relax! Enjoy the ride and conversation with who’s sitting next to you.
- Lastly, CONTROL YOUR SPEED AT ALL TIMES! If you’re out of control, it is better to slide to a safe stop than ever hitting something or someone. Just squat down and fall to one side and slide safely.
Hope these tips are helpful. Enjoy your skiing adventure. BE SAFE and CONTROL YOUR SPEED. Most injuries occur from going too fast and LOSING CONTROL. Just ask myself. That’s how I tore my ACL back in college, over 20 years ago.
If you’re experiencing pain, Complimentary Injury Screenings are available at an ATI Physical Therapy location near you. Call today to schedule yours!