I know you know this and I might be stating the obvious but skiing is all about balance!

Dynamic balance to be exact, aka the ability to maintain equilibrium while in motion.  So surely, it makes sense that if you are in perfect balance in your boots and on your skis before you even move, maintaining your balance when moving just has to be easier right?  I did warn you I was stating the obvious here!

But what isn’t so obvious is that the ski boots you wear, that exoskeleton you wrap around the outside of your feet and shins, is actually forcing you OUT of balance.  Believe it or not, most boots are not made to stand you flat, they are usually built to stand you slightly on your edges.  Adding to this the fact that your physiology isn’t likely to be spot on the original design, means that when you are stood in your boots on your skis you are certainly not in perfect balance.

Have you ever noticed how your body feels when you’re out of balance?  Try it now, stand on one leg and close your eyes, notice how the muscles around your feet and ankles twitch and fight to keep you upright.  You might also notice how the rest of your body moves and strains instinctively to stop you from falling over.

All this extraneous movement uses up energy and inhibits you.

And I’m certain you can now see how this will make your skiing more inefficient and less effective.  Your body isn’t at ease and you simply cannot feel absolutely confident when you’re body is already fighting to stay balanced.

But do not worry, there is an answer to all this.  It’s known as Skier Balance and Alignment.

I first came across this about 12 years ago and, with my knowledge of anatomy & physiology, it made absolute common sense to me.  I not only immediately had my own alignment sorted out, I also trained to be able to align other skiers.

So this year, when I faced the music and admitted it was time to buy new ski boots I got straight onto Colin at Solutions 4 Feet in Bicester here in the UK, and Andi McCann of  Alpine McCannix to book an alignment session.

Most of the work (in fact all of mine) is done inside your boot, starting off with a perfect, custom made insole followed by balance work on the high tech SBS neutralizer with Andi where he fits the angle of the boot, both laterally and fore/aft to the angle of your lower leg and feet.  The final part, if necessary, takes place between the underside of the boot and the bindings.

By the end of the session I was beautifully aligned and in perfect balance!  I’m now ready to head off to the Alps next week and test it all out!  So exciting!

“Bend ze knees!”  How many times have you heard that expression, either from the mouths of fellow skiers or even a pro instructor?

Now I don’t profess to be a full on qualified instructor even though I have had training in the past and once held a dry slope instructor qualification but what I do know is that the words we use and the thoughts they form produce the actions we make.

I was skiing once with a random group in a chalet in La Rosiere and the whole ‘Bend ze knees’ instruction came up for discussion.   “When I bend my knees, all that happens is my ar*e sticks out!” lamented one female skier (as you may know, for us ladies this can be an affliction!)

“Of course it does” I said.  “If your focus is on bending your knees that is the likely outcome.”  However by changing this simple instruction to “Bend your ankles” or better still “Flex your ankles” your body will respond differently.  Try this now…

• Stand up wherever you are and bend your knees.  Feel what happens to your lower body.  Where do you feel tension?  What happens to your toes?  You most likely notice that your quads tighten, your toes curl up off the floor and yes… your backside sticks out!
• Now change the focus to flexing your ankles and notice what you notice.  Your feet stay flat, you feel balanced and relaxed and yes – your knees will bend.  You simply cannot flex your ankles (and stay upright) without bending your knees.

By changing this simple instruction to your brain the next time you ski you will instantly come out of the back seat and be noticeably more relaxed and balanced.  In turn your skiing will be more effective, responsive and controlled and your confidence will rocket!