Before You Hit The Slopes… Is Your Body Ready?

With summer coming to a close, it’s time to start looking forward to winter and getting back  out on the slopes! 

For many of us, the thought of skiing again brings excitement and anticipation. But  sometimes previous injuries, niggles, or areas of weakness can make that excitement feel  more like nerves.

The good news? There’s still plenty of time to prepare your body for the demands of  skiing/snowboarding and head into the season feeling stronger, more confident, and ready  to enjoy the mountain. 

Preparation for the slopes looks different for everyone. Whether you’re skiing or  snowboarding, a beginner or an expert, hitting the park or sticking to the groomed runs, the  demands on your body will vary.

That’s why your pre-trip training should be tailored to you and the type of skiing or  snowboarding you enjoy. By identifying the key demands and areas to prioritise, we can  help you build the strength, mobility, balance and conditioning needed to feel confident  and perform at your best on the slopes.

Building muscular strength and endurance is essential for skiing, particularly as fatigue  sets in. Research suggests that the risk of injury can be around 2.2 times higher later in the  day, highlighting the importance of preparing your body to perform when you’re tired.

Your quads, glutes, hamstrings and calves all work hard to control your movements and  absorb the demands of the slopes. Your core also plays an important role in maintaining  stability and optimal posture, helping you stay in control as you ride.

Injury prevention isn’t just about physical preparation ... Education and understanding play  an important role too.

Falls are an inevitable part of skiing  and snowboarding, but knowing how  to fall and land safely can help  reduce the risk of common injuries, 

such as wrist and collarbone  fractures.  Understanding how to react when 

you lose balance, and practicing    safe falling techniques can give you 

greater confidence on the slopes  while helping to minimise the impact 

of an unexpected fall.

Here at Nailsea Physio, we use resources such as ForceDecks and DynaMo strength testing to gather more specific,  objective data about your strength, balance and movement.

This allows us to identify any areas that may need more attention and create a 

more accurate,  individualised training  programme to help you  prepare for the demands of the slopes.

If you have any  uncertainties about an  upcoming ski trip, don’t  wait until you’re on the  mountain to find out!  Come and see us at  Nailsea Physio while there’s still plenty of time to address any concerns, build your strength and confidence,  and make meaningful progress before you travel.

Lets get back out on the slopes enjoying those runs!

Written By Lewis Houlden (Chartered Physiotherapist).