Alpine Skiing Technique: 'Where' Do You Stand?

"Skiing is all about how, when and where you stand... and who you're with" is a self-coined expression that I refer to when skiing with clients and friends. Certainly, there's more to the full experience of alpine skiing, including indelible memories etched by scenery, thrills and mountain air, but this phrase boils it down for me. Skiing technique, "how, when and where you stand", enhances the hill, and like-minded camaraderie, "who you're with", enhances the fun. Overall, skiing is truly out standing...

Alpine skiing is an Act of Dynamic Standing. Skating, side stepping and the Charleston (don't ask!) are intermittent acts at best, whereas standing is what we do 99+ percent of the time when skiing, ignoring the time we spend sitting on chair lifts. Dynamic standing means moving while standing, and comprises balance, posture and timing. To focus the discussion let's zero in on just one aspect, the 'where' of standing. Otherwise, it'll take a whole book (already written!).

Where is 'where'? Is it the middle of the hill, in the trees, in the village, at the bar? These are 'where' in terms of location, but the important 'where' is in terms of sensation, agony of da feet notwithstanding, as sore feet and ill-fitting boots will undo even the most compelled in their efforts to ski with grace and balance. How should my weight feel on the soles of my feet? What should I feel from my boots to know I am balanced? Where do I want to feel the 'center' of my weight, particularly in the fore and aft direction?

There are different schools of thought on this topic. After all, skiing is an individual sport with unique combinations of strength, flexibility and coordination at play. At times, I've been instructed to adjust my 'where' during each turn: to feel the center of my weight towards my forefoot early in the turn and towards my heel late in the turn. I have also had muted discussions with other experts who say they try to avoid any such fore to aft shift in where their weight is centered. While there's no one 'right way', seeking to understand the rewards and risks of a given approach is part of seeking to understand skiing better. How strong and steady should things feel turn to turn? Should skiing be that age-old tongue-in-cheek prescription 'a continuum of controlled falls and recoveries'? Should we teach for strong and steady, or teach a (potentially disruptive) fore to aft balance shift with each turn?

I go with simplicity on this one. I admit to striving throughout turn and transition for a steady and unchanging fore-aft weight distribution along the soles of my feet. Maybe I'm lazy, but I find it easier to both do and teach this approach, provided that my students can actually feel their feet, but that's another whole topic!

My goal is to feel my weight 50:50 on the balls and heels of my feet, and pressure from my boot cuffs steady at 50:50 on my shins and calves. Balancing with an even and steady weight distribution along the soles of my feet tells me that I am centered. Furthermore, having my weight engaged along the full surface area of my feet helps me balance while being rocked by underfoot turbulence as my skis slide over uneven snow. Notably, I try to balance solely on my feet (ahem) and to rely as little as possible on my boots for support.

As I ski turn to turn, the pressure on my feet changes dramatically side-to-side, and my total weight swings between zero and upwards of three times my stationary weight. However, any change in pressure in the fore and aft direction, other than me failing to stay balanced, is due only to bumps and ripples in the snow surface, rather than due to me purposefully pressing into my boot cuffs at some point in the turn cycle. A 'keep-it-centered-and-steady' goal means that any pressure change from my boot cuffs serves as early warning of an impending 'out-of-balance' development. Earlier warning means easier correction. Stiffer boots help in this regard too, plus a centered, athletic stance.

So now you know 'where' I stand.

Alpine Skiing Technique: 'Where' Do You Stand?

"Skiing is all about how, when and where you stand... and who you're with" is a self-coined expression that I refer to when skiing with clients and friends. Certainly, there's more to the full experience of alpine skiing, including indelible memories etched by scenery, thrills and mountain air, but this phrase boils it down for me. Skiing technique, "how, when and where you stand", enhances the hill, and like-minded camaraderie, "who you're with", enhances the fun. Overall, skiing is truly out standing...

Alpine skiing is an Act of Dynamic Standing. Skating, side stepping and the Charleston (don't ask!) are intermittent acts at best, whereas standing is what we do 99+ percent of the time when skiing, ignoring the time we spend sitting on chair lifts. Dynamic standing means moving while standing, and comprises balance, posture and timing. To focus the discussion let's zero in on just one aspect, the 'where' of standing. Otherwise, it'll take a whole book (already written!).

Where is 'where'? Is it the middle of the hill, in the trees, in the village, at the bar? These are 'where' in terms of location, but the important 'where' is in terms of sensation, agony of da feet notwithstanding, as sore feet and ill-fitting boots will undo even the most compelled in their efforts to ski with grace and balance. How should my weight feel on the soles of my feet? What should I feel from my boots to know I am balanced? Where do I want to feel the 'center' of my weight, particularly in the fore and aft direction?

There are different schools of thought on this topic. After all, skiing is an individual sport with unique combinations of strength, flexibility and coordination at play. At times, I've been instructed to adjust my 'where' during each turn: to feel the center of my weight towards my forefoot early in the turn and towards my heel late in the turn. I have also had muted discussions with other experts who say they try to avoid any such fore to aft shift in where their weight is centered. While there's no one 'right way', seeking to understand the rewards and risks of a given approach is part of seeking to understand skiing better. How strong and steady should things feel turn to turn? Should skiing be that age-old tongue-in-cheek prescription 'a continuum of controlled falls and recoveries'? Should we teach for strong and steady, or teach a (potentially disruptive) fore to aft balance shift with each turn?

I go with simplicity on this one. I admit to striving throughout turn and transition for a steady and unchanging fore-aft weight distribution along the soles of my feet. Maybe I'm lazy, but I find it easier to both do and teach this approach, provided that my students can actually feel their feet, but that's another whole topic!

My goal is to feel my weight 50:50 on the balls and heels of my feet, and pressure from my boot cuffs steady at 50:50 on my shins and calves. Balancing with an even and steady weight distribution along the soles of my feet tells me that I am centered. Furthermore, having my weight engaged along the full surface area of my feet helps me balance while being rocked by underfoot turbulence as my skis slide over uneven snow. Notably, I try to balance solely on my feet (ahem) and to rely as little as possible on my boots for support.

As I ski turn to turn, the pressure on my feet changes dramatically side-to-side, and my total weight swings between zero and upwards of three times my stationary weight. However, any change in pressure in the fore and aft direction, other than me failing to stay balanced, is due only to bumps and ripples in the snow surface, rather than due to me purposefully pressing into my boot cuffs at some point in the turn cycle. A 'keep-it-centered-and-steady' goal means that any pressure change from my boot cuffs serves as early warning of an impending 'out-of-balance' development. Earlier warning means easier correction. Stiffer boots help in this regard too, plus a centered, athletic stance.

So now you know 'where' I stand.

Alpine Skiing Technique: 'Where' Do You Stand?

"Skiing is all about how, when and where you stand... and who you're with" is a self-coined expression that I refer to when skiing with clients and friends. Certainly, there's more to the full experience of alpine skiing, including indelible memories etched by scenery, thrills and mountain air, but this phrase boils it down for me. Skiing technique, "how, when and where you stand", enhances the hill, and like-minded camaraderie, "who you're with", enhances the fun. Overall, skiing is truly out standing...

Alpine skiing is an Act of Dynamic Standing. Skating, side stepping and the Charleston (don't ask!) are intermittent acts at best, whereas standing is what we do 99+ percent of the time when skiing, ignoring the time we spend sitting on chair lifts. Dynamic standing means moving while standing, and comprises balance, posture and timing. To focus the discussion let's zero in on just one aspect, the 'where' of standing. Otherwise, it'll take a whole book (already written!).

Where is 'where'? Is it the middle of the hill, in the trees, in the village, at the bar? These are 'where' in terms of location, but the important 'where' is in terms of sensation, agony of da feet notwithstanding, as sore feet and ill-fitting boots will undo even the most compelled in their efforts to ski with grace and balance. How should my weight feel on the soles of my feet? What should I feel from my boots to know I am balanced? Where do I want to feel the 'center' of my weight, particularly in the fore and aft direction?

There are different schools of thought on this topic. After all, skiing is an individual sport with unique combinations of strength, flexibility and coordination at play. At times, I've been instructed to adjust my 'where' during each turn: to feel the center of my weight towards my forefoot early in the turn and towards my heel late in the turn. I have also had muted discussions with other experts who say they try to avoid any such fore to aft shift in where their weight is centered. While there's no one 'right way', seeking to understand the rewards and risks of a given approach is part of seeking to understand skiing better. How strong and steady should things feel turn to turn? Should skiing be that age-old tongue-in-cheek prescription 'a continuum of controlled falls and recoveries'? Should we teach for strong and steady, or teach a (potentially disruptive) fore to aft balance shift with each turn?

I go with simplicity on this one. I admit to striving throughout turn and transition for a steady and unchanging fore-aft weight distribution along the soles of my feet. Maybe I'm lazy, but I find it easier to both do and teach this approach, provided that my students can actually feel their feet, but that's another whole topic!

My goal is to feel my weight 50:50 on the balls and heels of my feet, and pressure from my boot cuffs steady at 50:50 on my shins and calves. Balancing with an even and steady weight distribution along the soles of my feet tells me that I am centered. Furthermore, having my weight engaged along the full surface area of my feet helps me balance while being rocked by underfoot turbulence as my skis slide over uneven snow. Notably, I try to balance solely on my feet (ahem) and to rely as little as possible on my boots for support.

As I ski turn to turn, the pressure on my feet changes dramatically side-to-side, and my total weight swings between zero and upwards of three times my stationary weight. However, any change in pressure in the fore and aft direction, other than me failing to stay balanced, is due only to bumps and ripples in the snow surface, rather than due to me purposefully pressing into my boot cuffs at some point in the turn cycle. A 'keep-it-centered-and-steady' goal means that any pressure change from my boot cuffs serves as early warning of an impending 'out-of-balance' development. Earlier warning means easier correction. Stiffer boots help in this regard too, plus a centered, athletic stance.

So now you know 'where' I stand.

Alpine Skiing Technique: 'Where' Do You Stand?

"Skiing is all about how, when and where you stand... and who you're with" is a self-coined expression that I refer to when skiing with clients and friends. Certainly, there's more to the full experience of alpine skiing, including indelible memories etched by scenery, thrills and mountain air, but this phrase boils it down for me. Skiing technique, "how, when and where you stand", enhances the hill, and like-minded camaraderie, "who you're with", enhances the fun. Overall, skiing is truly out standing...

Alpine skiing is an Act of Dynamic Standing. Skating, side stepping and the Charleston (don't ask!) are intermittent acts at best, whereas standing is what we do 99+ percent of the time when skiing, ignoring the time we spend sitting on chair lifts. Dynamic standing means moving while standing, and comprises balance, posture and timing. To focus the discussion let's zero in on just one aspect, the 'where' of standing. Otherwise, it'll take a whole book (already written!).

Where is 'where'? Is it the middle of the hill, in the trees, in the village, at the bar? These are 'where' in terms of location, but the important 'where' is in terms of sensation, agony of da feet notwithstanding, as sore feet and ill-fitting boots will undo even the most compelled in their efforts to ski with grace and balance. How should my weight feel on the soles of my feet? What should I feel from my boots to know I am balanced? Where do I want to feel the 'center' of my weight, particularly in the fore and aft direction?

There are different schools of thought on this topic. After all, skiing is an individual sport with unique combinations of strength, flexibility and coordination at play. At times, I've been instructed to adjust my 'where' during each turn: to feel the center of my weight towards my forefoot early in the turn and towards my heel late in the turn. I have also had muted discussions with other experts who say they try to avoid any such fore to aft shift in where their weight is centered. While there's no one 'right way', seeking to understand the rewards and risks of a given approach is part of seeking to understand skiing better. How strong and steady should things feel turn to turn? Should skiing be that age-old tongue-in-cheek prescription 'a continuum of controlled falls and recoveries'? Should we teach for strong and steady, or teach a (potentially disruptive) fore to aft balance shift with each turn?

I go with simplicity on this one. I admit to striving throughout turn and transition for a steady and unchanging fore-aft weight distribution along the soles of my feet. Maybe I'm lazy, but I find it easier to both do and teach this approach, provided that my students can actually feel their feet, but that's another whole topic!

My goal is to feel my weight 50:50 on the balls and heels of my feet, and pressure from my boot cuffs steady at 50:50 on my shins and calves. Balancing with an even and steady weight distribution along the soles of my feet tells me that I am centered. Furthermore, having my weight engaged along the full surface area of my feet helps me balance while being rocked by underfoot turbulence as my skis slide over uneven snow. Notably, I try to balance solely on my feet (ahem) and to rely as little as possible on my boots for support.

As I ski turn to turn, the pressure on my feet changes dramatically side-to-side, and my total weight swings between zero and upwards of three times my stationary weight. However, any change in pressure in the fore and aft direction, other than me failing to stay balanced, is due only to bumps and ripples in the snow surface, rather than due to me purposefully pressing into my boot cuffs at some point in the turn cycle. A 'keep-it-centered-and-steady' goal means that any pressure change from my boot cuffs serves as early warning of an impending 'out-of-balance' development. Earlier warning means easier correction. Stiffer boots help in this regard too, plus a centered, athletic stance.

So now you know 'where' I stand.

Scott Ski Goggles - High Quality Goggles for Snow Sports

Scott ski goggles come in a number of different models and designs that are one of the best choices for both skiers and snowboarders because they simply have all the bases covered. Scott has come to be a leader in the goggles industry in both snow sports and motor sports, and the goggles have been designed to fit anyone from children to adults. With the majority of the snow sports companies offering protective eyewear, Scott ski goggles maintain the professional quality and continue to innovate their design and are a competitive force in not only the ski and snowboard industry, but the now offer goggles in motocross and cycling.

There are a few different categories that all of the Scott ski goggles fall into. For those seeking a quality goggle for the winter sports, you can find a model type to fit your needs whether you are a skier, snowboarder, or snowmobiler.

There are 5 major categories in the series of Scott Ski Goggles, and each is designed for a certain rider type. Ranging from pro models to junior models, we will take a look at each type in more detail.

The first line of Scott ski goggles offers a high quality design for both male and female riders of all levels. Known as the Unisex Series, they offer different lens shapes including a traditional flat lens to a more dramatic, bubble-like lens that covers a wider span of vision. Many of the pro designs of Scott goggles contain either a mirror lens or shades of orange or grey that can be used for different snow conditions.

The Womens Series is the second line of Scott ski goggles, and as the name suggests, they are fit for female riders who typically have a smaller face, so the strap and plastic molding that holds the lens is better fit for those riders. Similar to the Unisex Series, these goggles come in a variety of color schemes and lens colors to accommodate different riding conditions. Both the Womens and Unisex series contain what Scott calls "Precision Optics Lenses" which gives riders the freedom of clarity and breathability.

Two more types of Scott ski goggles are the Junior Series and Race Series. The Junior designs fit smaller faces while the Race models of goggles are made to fit racing helmets. For those riders wearing other eyewear such as prescription eyeglasses, the OTG Series fits well over your existing prescription eyewear.

The Scott company has a foundation of engineering and innovation in snow sports, and the Scott ski goggles have proven superiority over others in the field.

Alpine Skiing Technique: 'Where' Do You Stand?

"Skiing is all about how, when and where you stand... and who you're with" is a self-coined expression that I refer to when skiing with clients and friends. Certainly, there's more to the full experience of alpine skiing, including indelible memories etched by scenery, thrills and mountain air, but this phrase boils it down for me. Skiing technique, "how, when and where you stand", enhances the hill, and like-minded camaraderie, "who you're with", enhances the fun. Overall, skiing is truly out standing...

Alpine skiing is an Act of Dynamic Standing. Skating, side stepping and the Charleston (don't ask!) are intermittent acts at best, whereas standing is what we do 99+ percent of the time when skiing, ignoring the time we spend sitting on chair lifts. Dynamic standing means moving while standing, and comprises balance, posture and timing. To focus the discussion let's zero in on just one aspect, the 'where' of standing. Otherwise, it'll take a whole book (already written!).

Where is 'where'? Is it the middle of the hill, in the trees, in the village, at the bar? These are 'where' in terms of location, but the important 'where' is in terms of sensation, agony of da feet notwithstanding, as sore feet and ill-fitting boots will undo even the most compelled in their efforts to ski with grace and balance. How should my weight feel on the soles of my feet? What should I feel from my boots to know I am balanced? Where do I want to feel the 'center' of my weight, particularly in the fore and aft direction?

There are different schools of thought on this topic. After all, skiing is an individual sport with unique combinations of strength, flexibility and coordination at play. At times, I've been instructed to adjust my 'where' during each turn: to feel the center of my weight towards my forefoot early in the turn and towards my heel late in the turn. I have also had muted discussions with other experts who say they try to avoid any such fore to aft shift in where their weight is centered. While there's no one 'right way', seeking to understand the rewards and risks of a given approach is part of seeking to understand skiing better. How strong and steady should things feel turn to turn? Should skiing be that age-old tongue-in-cheek prescription 'a continuum of controlled falls and recoveries'? Should we teach for strong and steady, or teach a (potentially disruptive) fore to aft balance shift with each turn?

I go with simplicity on this one. I admit to striving throughout turn and transition for a steady and unchanging fore-aft weight distribution along the soles of my feet. Maybe I'm lazy, but I find it easier to both do and teach this approach, provided that my students can actually feel their feet, but that's another whole topic!

My goal is to feel my weight 50:50 on the balls and heels of my feet, and pressure from my boot cuffs steady at 50:50 on my shins and calves. Balancing with an even and steady weight distribution along the soles of my feet tells me that I am centered. Furthermore, having my weight engaged along the full surface area of my feet helps me balance while being rocked by underfoot turbulence as my skis slide over uneven snow. Notably, I try to balance solely on my feet (ahem) and to rely as little as possible on my boots for support.

As I ski turn to turn, the pressure on my feet changes dramatically side-to-side, and my total weight swings between zero and upwards of three times my stationary weight. However, any change in pressure in the fore and aft direction, other than me failing to stay balanced, is due only to bumps and ripples in the snow surface, rather than due to me purposefully pressing into my boot cuffs at some point in the turn cycle. A 'keep-it-centered-and-steady' goal means that any pressure change from my boot cuffs serves as early warning of an impending 'out-of-balance' development. Earlier warning means easier correction. Stiffer boots help in this regard too, plus a centered, athletic stance.

So now you know 'where' I stand.

Alpine Skiing Technique: 'Where' Do You Stand?

"Skiing is all about how, when and where you stand... and who you're with" is a self-coined expression that I refer to when skiing with clients and friends. Certainly, there's more to the full experience of alpine skiing, including indelible memories etched by scenery, thrills and mountain air, but this phrase boils it down for me. Skiing technique, "how, when and where you stand", enhances the hill, and like-minded camaraderie, "who you're with", enhances the fun. Overall, skiing is truly out standing...

Alpine skiing is an Act of Dynamic Standing. Skating, side stepping and the Charleston (don't ask!) are intermittent acts at best, whereas standing is what we do 99+ percent of the time when skiing, ignoring the time we spend sitting on chair lifts. Dynamic standing means moving while standing, and comprises balance, posture and timing. To focus the discussion let's zero in on just one aspect, the 'where' of standing. Otherwise, it'll take a whole book (already written!).

Where is 'where'? Is it the middle of the hill, in the trees, in the village, at the bar? These are 'where' in terms of location, but the important 'where' is in terms of sensation, agony of da feet notwithstanding, as sore feet and ill-fitting boots will undo even the most compelled in their efforts to ski with grace and balance. How should my weight feel on the soles of my feet? What should I feel from my boots to know I am balanced? Where do I want to feel the 'center' of my weight, particularly in the fore and aft direction?

There are different schools of thought on this topic. After all, skiing is an individual sport with unique combinations of strength, flexibility and coordination at play. At times, I've been instructed to adjust my 'where' during each turn: to feel the center of my weight towards my forefoot early in the turn and towards my heel late in the turn. I have also had muted discussions with other experts who say they try to avoid any such fore to aft shift in where their weight is centered. While there's no one 'right way', seeking to understand the rewards and risks of a given approach is part of seeking to understand skiing better. How strong and steady should things feel turn to turn? Should skiing be that age-old tongue-in-cheek prescription 'a continuum of controlled falls and recoveries'? Should we teach for strong and steady, or teach a (potentially disruptive) fore to aft balance shift with each turn?

I go with simplicity on this one. I admit to striving throughout turn and transition for a steady and unchanging fore-aft weight distribution along the soles of my feet. Maybe I'm lazy, but I find it easier to both do and teach this approach, provided that my students can actually feel their feet, but that's another whole topic!

My goal is to feel my weight 50:50 on the balls and heels of my feet, and pressure from my boot cuffs steady at 50:50 on my shins and calves. Balancing with an even and steady weight distribution along the soles of my feet tells me that I am centered. Furthermore, having my weight engaged along the full surface area of my feet helps me balance while being rocked by underfoot turbulence as my skis slide over uneven snow. Notably, I try to balance solely on my feet (ahem) and to rely as little as possible on my boots for support.

As I ski turn to turn, the pressure on my feet changes dramatically side-to-side, and my total weight swings between zero and upwards of three times my stationary weight. However, any change in pressure in the fore and aft direction, other than me failing to stay balanced, is due only to bumps and ripples in the snow surface, rather than due to me purposefully pressing into my boot cuffs at some point in the turn cycle. A 'keep-it-centered-and-steady' goal means that any pressure change from my boot cuffs serves as early warning of an impending 'out-of-balance' development. Earlier warning means easier correction. Stiffer boots help in this regard too, plus a centered, athletic stance.

So now you know 'where' I stand.

Scott Ski Goggles - High Quality Goggles for Snow Sports

Scott ski goggles come in a number of different models and designs that are one of the best choices for both skiers and snowboarders because they simply have all the bases covered. Scott has come to be a leader in the goggles industry in both snow sports and motor sports, and the goggles have been designed to fit anyone from children to adults. With the majority of the snow sports companies offering protective eyewear, Scott ski goggles maintain the professional quality and continue to innovate their design and are a competitive force in not only the ski and snowboard industry, but the now offer goggles in motocross and cycling.

There are a few different categories that all of the Scott ski goggles fall into. For those seeking a quality goggle for the winter sports, you can find a model type to fit your needs whether you are a skier, snowboarder, or snowmobiler.

There are 5 major categories in the series of Scott Ski Goggles, and each is designed for a certain rider type. Ranging from pro models to junior models, we will take a look at each type in more detail.

The first line of Scott ski goggles offers a high quality design for both male and female riders of all levels. Known as the Unisex Series, they offer different lens shapes including a traditional flat lens to a more dramatic, bubble-like lens that covers a wider span of vision. Many of the pro designs of Scott goggles contain either a mirror lens or shades of orange or grey that can be used for different snow conditions.

The Womens Series is the second line of Scott ski goggles, and as the name suggests, they are fit for female riders who typically have a smaller face, so the strap and plastic molding that holds the lens is better fit for those riders. Similar to the Unisex Series, these goggles come in a variety of color schemes and lens colors to accommodate different riding conditions. Both the Womens and Unisex series contain what Scott calls "Precision Optics Lenses" which gives riders the freedom of clarity and breathability.

Two more types of Scott ski goggles are the Junior Series and Race Series. The Junior designs fit smaller faces while the Race models of goggles are made to fit racing helmets. For those riders wearing other eyewear such as prescription eyeglasses, the OTG Series fits well over your existing prescription eyewear.

The Scott company has a foundation of engineering and innovation in snow sports, and the Scott ski goggles have proven superiority over others in the field.

Alpine Skiing Technique: 'Where' Do You Stand?

"Skiing is all about how, when and where you stand... and who you're with" is a self-coined expression that I refer to when skiing with clients and friends. Certainly, there's more to the full experience of alpine skiing, including indelible memories etched by scenery, thrills and mountain air, but this phrase boils it down for me. Skiing technique, "how, when and where you stand", enhances the hill, and like-minded camaraderie, "who you're with", enhances the fun. Overall, skiing is truly out standing...

Alpine skiing is an Act of Dynamic Standing. Skating, side stepping and the Charleston (don't ask!) are intermittent acts at best, whereas standing is what we do 99+ percent of the time when skiing, ignoring the time we spend sitting on chair lifts. Dynamic standing means moving while standing, and comprises balance, posture and timing. To focus the discussion let's zero in on just one aspect, the 'where' of standing. Otherwise, it'll take a whole book (already written!).

Where is 'where'? Is it the middle of the hill, in the trees, in the village, at the bar? These are 'where' in terms of location, but the important 'where' is in terms of sensation, agony of da feet notwithstanding, as sore feet and ill-fitting boots will undo even the most compelled in their efforts to ski with grace and balance. How should my weight feel on the soles of my feet? What should I feel from my boots to know I am balanced? Where do I want to feel the 'center' of my weight, particularly in the fore and aft direction?

There are different schools of thought on this topic. After all, skiing is an individual sport with unique combinations of strength, flexibility and coordination at play. At times, I've been instructed to adjust my 'where' during each turn: to feel the center of my weight towards my forefoot early in the turn and towards my heel late in the turn. I have also had muted discussions with other experts who say they try to avoid any such fore to aft shift in where their weight is centered. While there's no one 'right way', seeking to understand the rewards and risks of a given approach is part of seeking to understand skiing better. How strong and steady should things feel turn to turn? Should skiing be that age-old tongue-in-cheek prescription 'a continuum of controlled falls and recoveries'? Should we teach for strong and steady, or teach a (potentially disruptive) fore to aft balance shift with each turn?

I go with simplicity on this one. I admit to striving throughout turn and transition for a steady and unchanging fore-aft weight distribution along the soles of my feet. Maybe I'm lazy, but I find it easier to both do and teach this approach, provided that my students can actually feel their feet, but that's another whole topic!

My goal is to feel my weight 50:50 on the balls and heels of my feet, and pressure from my boot cuffs steady at 50:50 on my shins and calves. Balancing with an even and steady weight distribution along the soles of my feet tells me that I am centered. Furthermore, having my weight engaged along the full surface area of my feet helps me balance while being rocked by underfoot turbulence as my skis slide over uneven snow. Notably, I try to balance solely on my feet (ahem) and to rely as little as possible on my boots for support.

As I ski turn to turn, the pressure on my feet changes dramatically side-to-side, and my total weight swings between zero and upwards of three times my stationary weight. However, any change in pressure in the fore and aft direction, other than me failing to stay balanced, is due only to bumps and ripples in the snow surface, rather than due to me purposefully pressing into my boot cuffs at some point in the turn cycle. A 'keep-it-centered-and-steady' goal means that any pressure change from my boot cuffs serves as early warning of an impending 'out-of-balance' development. Earlier warning means easier correction. Stiffer boots help in this regard too, plus a centered, athletic stance.

So now you know 'where' I stand.

Alpine Skiing Technique: 'Where' Do You Stand?

"Skiing is all about how, when and where you stand... and who you're with" is a self-coined expression that I refer to when skiing with clients and friends. Certainly, there's more to the full experience of alpine skiing, including indelible memories etched by scenery, thrills and mountain air, but this phrase boils it down for me. Skiing technique, "how, when and where you stand", enhances the hill, and like-minded camaraderie, "who you're with", enhances the fun. Overall, skiing is truly out standing...

Alpine skiing is an Act of Dynamic Standing. Skating, side stepping and the Charleston (don't ask!) are intermittent acts at best, whereas standing is what we do 99+ percent of the time when skiing, ignoring the time we spend sitting on chair lifts. Dynamic standing means moving while standing, and comprises balance, posture and timing. To focus the discussion let's zero in on just one aspect, the 'where' of standing. Otherwise, it'll take a whole book (already written!).

Where is 'where'? Is it the middle of the hill, in the trees, in the village, at the bar? These are 'where' in terms of location, but the important 'where' is in terms of sensation, agony of da feet notwithstanding, as sore feet and ill-fitting boots will undo even the most compelled in their efforts to ski with grace and balance. How should my weight feel on the soles of my feet? What should I feel from my boots to know I am balanced? Where do I want to feel the 'center' of my weight, particularly in the fore and aft direction?

There are different schools of thought on this topic. After all, skiing is an individual sport with unique combinations of strength, flexibility and coordination at play. At times, I've been instructed to adjust my 'where' during each turn: to feel the center of my weight towards my forefoot early in the turn and towards my heel late in the turn. I have also had muted discussions with other experts who say they try to avoid any such fore to aft shift in where their weight is centered. While there's no one 'right way', seeking to understand the rewards and risks of a given approach is part of seeking to understand skiing better. How strong and steady should things feel turn to turn? Should skiing be that age-old tongue-in-cheek prescription 'a continuum of controlled falls and recoveries'? Should we teach for strong and steady, or teach a (potentially disruptive) fore to aft balance shift with each turn?

I go with simplicity on this one. I admit to striving throughout turn and transition for a steady and unchanging fore-aft weight distribution along the soles of my feet. Maybe I'm lazy, but I find it easier to both do and teach this approach, provided that my students can actually feel their feet, but that's another whole topic!

My goal is to feel my weight 50:50 on the balls and heels of my feet, and pressure from my boot cuffs steady at 50:50 on my shins and calves. Balancing with an even and steady weight distribution along the soles of my feet tells me that I am centered. Furthermore, having my weight engaged along the full surface area of my feet helps me balance while being rocked by underfoot turbulence as my skis slide over uneven snow. Notably, I try to balance solely on my feet (ahem) and to rely as little as possible on my boots for support.

As I ski turn to turn, the pressure on my feet changes dramatically side-to-side, and my total weight swings between zero and upwards of three times my stationary weight. However, any change in pressure in the fore and aft direction, other than me failing to stay balanced, is due only to bumps and ripples in the snow surface, rather than due to me purposefully pressing into my boot cuffs at some point in the turn cycle. A 'keep-it-centered-and-steady' goal means that any pressure change from my boot cuffs serves as early warning of an impending 'out-of-balance' development. Earlier warning means easier correction. Stiffer boots help in this regard too, plus a centered, athletic stance.

So now you know 'where' I stand.