Snow flurries: Ready for the off

By BRIDGET RAYWARD*

Standing properly on your skis is no different from standing at the bar of your local tavern. You need to be relaxed and balanced on your whole foot, not just your toes or heels, or you will fall over - even when sober.

It is tempting to rely on the length of the ski for support but this means your muscles are being used just to hold you upright and you won't be able to use them to help you turn and ski efficiently.

If that sounds fairly obvious just remember the platform you are balancing on is sliding and continually changing speed and angle on the slope. That makes staying in balance a lot more challenging.

You need to be aware of this especially as you initiate a turn and the skis speed up and change angle. Keep your centre of gravity over the top of your feet and make sure your torso moves down the hill and keeps up with your feet.

To get the feeling of using your postural muscles correctly ask a friend to pull the tips of your skis quickly away from you. You'll have to use your muscles to prevent being pulled off balance. Remember the feeling of using these muscles and take it skiing.

*Rayward is the ski school director at Cardrona and president of the New Zealand Ski Instructors Alliance