TRAVEL / January
View of one of the Obertauern slopes
The pre-ski season to-do list also includes getting your ski
equipment checked out professionally by sports specialists.
It’s crucial to have the right ski clothing that is warm enough,
a good helmet, and good ski goggles as well as checking that
skis, bindings, and ski boots all work perfectly. To prepare
skis for the season ahead, they should be serviced, waxed,
and have the edges ground to improve their grip on the
piste. On the other hand, if you use rental equipment from
a local specialist shop, rest assured that it’s likely to be in
tip-top condition.
Another area you mustn’t neglect is getting physically fit
for ski season, with good basic endurance a must. After all,
skiing exerts the body in very different ways compared to our
normal daily routine, hence the professionals’ saying: ‘The
winter sportsman is made in summer.’ The right preparation
should help you not only prevent injuries while skiing but
also enjoy the slopes (and enhance your skiing technique) for
longer, thanks to greater stamina.
And when you’re finally ready on the piste, crunching the
white stuff underfoot, there are a few more things to keep in
mind. Far too many skiers just dive into skiing fresh off the
lift in the morning without warming up their muscles first,
and that’s just asking for injury. With that in mind, warm up
with some suitable exercises and stretch to avoid your first
descent becoming a wipe-out.
airBaltic f lies to
Salzburg
on Saturdays
starting from
89
€
one way
Look for prices with
cherries on airbaltic.com
airBaltic f lies to
Vienna
from Riga up to two times
per day and from Tallinn
three times per week
starting from
39
€
one way
Look for prices with
cherries on airbaltic.com
76
/ airBaltic.com
Step-by-step to steeper terrain
Just as important as the physical things is focusing on the
mental side of skiing. In particular, today’s high-quality
carving skis make skiing seem easy enough for some skiers
to take excessive risks on the slope, tending to accelerate
excessively shortly before losing control and trying to
negotiate steep slopes that are technically beyond them. As
well as the risk of over-stretching themselves in attempting
to make up for a lack of expertise with more power, they
also present a grave danger to other skiers. In other words,
progress steadily and practise on flat pistes until you
have actually internalised the skills more difficult terrain
demands.
Technical tips for the piste
Those really keen on getting better at skiing should heed the
following posture tips. When skiing slowly, start by bending
your legs forward so that your shins press lightly against the
ski boot – leaning back excessively means more chance of
losing control of your skis. Then, before turning, shift your
weight forward slightly so the skis move more easily – turning
is easiest with both skis bent at the same time. The trigger
for the turn comes when you stick your pole down, going
from the feet, over the knees, and right up to the upper body.
Direction for insertion should always be slightly towards the
valley, and so opposite to the feet and skis with every turn.
Also important (and often forgotten) is the need to focus
on where your hands are when skiing. Holding them actively
in front of your hips, as if holding a tray, automatically helps
optimise your posture and swing release. Provided you also
pay attention to stretching and bending movements during
this process, that is, shifting your body weight upwards
slightly from the knees while starting the swing, cornering
will be easier.
Ultimately, the key to controlling your speed when skiing is
the amount of pressure you apply when bending upwards and
this is what underpins your ability to ski on steeper slopes.
Your basic approach here should preferably involve starting
at a slow and controlled speed at all times, then increasing it
slowly based on ability. Over-accelerate without the technical
skills and you’ll find slowing down again very tricky indeed.
Respect and focus at all times are even more crucial at this
point, and should be ever-present for all mountain sports.
Having breaks
No matter how ideal your preparation and how good your
endurance, sufficient breaks when skiing are vital. This is
a sport that’s breathtaking in every sense – spectacular
mountain scenery notwithstanding, the thin mountain air
tends to tire us all out quicker than usual. The sportier you
get on the slopes and the more you improve, the more you
end up feeling this in your legs. Accordingly, take sufficient
breaks throughout the day, drink enough water or tea, and
eat a balanced diet. Look no further than body-friendly carbs,
like those in cereals or pasta. Schnitzels or other heavier
dishes, no matter how tempting, are best avoided, as is
alcohol during the day and stops in ski huts, which might
cause a lapse in concentration.
Needless to say, these basic tips are no substitute for
professional alpine ski lessons, but noting them is bound to
help you progress on the slopes, bit by bit, setting you up
perfectly for a relaxing evening on the hotel’s sun terrace
or a lively après-ski party. A good wine or a cool glass of
beer awaits! bo