Skiing (alpine Skiing)

Skiing (alpine skiing)

Alpine skiing combines a feeling of speed, an experience of nature and physical activity into a diverse sporting experience. When skiing, good strength endurance in the legs and a good general condition are important requirements. In addition, a pronounced ability to balance and react ensures a safe driving style and good control of the skis. Many people ski mainly on vacation or on weekends, but then often for several hours. Good preparation with special strength endurance training, such as ski gymnastics, creates the necessary physical basis and increases fun and safety…

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• Techniques in skiing
• Warm up before departure
• Tips for safe skiing and the right equipment
• Whom can I ask?

With the introduction of carving skis in the 1990s, the models became easier to turn. "Carvers" have a strong waist and are wider at the tips and ends than in the middle. This makes it easier for you to “cut into” the curves. Depending on the sidecut, the "Carver" make arches with a large or small radius possible at higher speeds.

Techniques in skiing

Skiing is a dynamic movement that requires constant adjustment of posture to the terrain. In order to be able to glide and curve, a change between keeping balance, loading and unloading is necessary. It is controlled by edging ("cutting") the skis from the knee and hip joints. The loaded outer ski takes on the main role. Experienced skiers also cut along on the inner edge of the inner ski. However, there is a greater risk of tilting.

When carving, the skis are driven about shoulder-width apart. The use of poles is a turning aid, but loses its effect with increasing speed. When it comes to “fun carving”, the professionals do not use sticks at all in order to be able to cut through the curves at an extreme angle.

Note If you are out on skis all day, your concentration and productivity decrease in the afternoon. Untrained people should take a longer break from skiing after two hours. On the third day of a ski holiday, many people experience a low performance - a rest day enables them to recover.

Warm up before departure

A few short, intense exercises mobilize the muscles before the descent. This is especially important when it's cold or after long periods of sitting in the chairlift and prevents falls and injuries. In some ski areas there are information boards with exercise instructions at the mountain station or at the lift exit.

Warm- up exercises: e.g. arm circles, alternating lifting of skis, light jumps.

Tips for safe skiing and the right equipment

Here you will find a summary of important safety tips from AUVA:

• Ski: Different models are available for individual skills and the area of application (e.g. slope, variant skiing). Maintenance of the skis also includes checking the safety binding by a professional. The waxing of the skis ensures better gliding ability, and sanded edges offer good grip on the slopes.
• Ski boots: A good fit and a firm fit of the boots are important for controlling the skis. You should still be able to move your toes with the buckles closed and a slight forward lean. If the shoe is too big, the buckles have to be tightened too tight, this disrupts the blood circulation.
• Clothing: Ski anorak and ski pants made of wind and water repellent material protect the body from cooling down. Several thin layers of clothing insulate better than a few thick ones. The “onion layers” principle also applies to the hands: In wind and cold, a second pair of thin gloves under the ski gloves offers a warmth advantage. Children are particularly sensitive to cold in the face. Face masks made of textile keep you warm and protect against frostbite.
• Helmet: A ski helmet protects against falls or a collision. Children are particularly at risk. A helmet is standard equipment for them! In some federal states, helmets are compulsory for minors up to the age of 15. The right fit is important. The helmet must not slip even with slight movements. When wearing, the chin strap must be closed and not loose so that the helmet does not slip in the event of a fall. When buying a helmet, the EN 1077 test standard should be observed.

• Be careful with stickers and helmet cameras

  The ski helmet may not, according to AUVA bekleb with stickers or labels t be, unless the manufacturer explicitly allows this. The solvents in the adhesive can impair the strength of the helmet shell and thereby reduce its protective function. This also applies to helmet cameras that protrude far - these change the center of gravity of the helmet and may only be attached if this is expressly permitted by the manufacturer

• Back protector: It protects the upper body (spine and burst) in the event of a fall or a collision. The optimal fit is also important when wearing a back protector: The protector should lie against the spine, not protrude in the neck or rump and not move when you sit down.
• Glasses: Depending on whether the sun is smiling or the snow is sweeping, sun or snow goggles protect the eyes from harmful UV rays and ensure good vision. It is important that the glasses sit correctly and do not pinch when wearing the helmet. Glasses that are standardized according to EN 174 in category S2 or S3 offer optimum sun protection for the eyes. The trade name “UV 400” can also be assumed to provide good protection.
• Sun protection of the skin: Use high quality sun protection (e.g. sun protection factor 50+) for skin and lips.
• Slope rules: In order to avoid accidents during winter sports on the slopes, it is important to know and observe the slope rules in the ski area and the FIS rules (rules of conduct of the International Ski Association).

You can find more information under More fun skiing - for sure! (Brochure from AUVA).

Whom can I ask?

Fit Sport Austria offers quality-tested offers to practice skiing and ski courses.