How should you stand to ski?
How far apart should you feet be? The recommendation is hip width apart. However, what does this actually mean ? It does not mean standing with the edge of the ski boot level with the edge of your body. Hip width apart is when your feet are directly below your hip bone. Spring up and down on the spot and where you feet land is hip width apart. An alternative way to find hip width apart is to walk up and down on the spot. Your feet will then be hip width apart. In yoga the hip width apart stance is aptly named the Mountain Pose — Tadasana.
Athletic Ski Posture From our hip width apart stance, how do we get into an athletic skiing position? In skiing we are striving for a ready to spring posture. This allows us to:
- Flex down towards the feet to absorb bumps and pressure
- Flex up to initiate turns
From our hip width apart Mountain Pose position - flex you ankles a little, until you can feel your weight moving forward on to the arches of your feet - stick your rear end out, keeping your back straight - and keep your chin up. Many sports use an athletic position. If you are in the correct position you should feel the sensation of:
- a swimmer on the blocks ready to start
- a ski jumper about to leap
Basic Position The 'Swiss Demo Team' demonstrates how to get in to a good basic position in the video 'Ski with style - Episode Basic Position'.