Athletic Stance

Screenshot of Krisoffersen from video by Filip Chwistek

Overview

  • Movement 1: The Athletic Stance takes advantage of the natural abilities of the human body to enhance skiing  performance and reduce the risk of injury.

  • This description is the first of eight modules included in the Ski Technique module, describing how elite skiers and racers carve turns.

The Athletic Stance for Alpine Ski Racers

When skiing, the human body is balanced, agile and strong when the feet are directly below the hips, ankles are flexed forward, the upper body is tipped forward at the waist, the back is about the same angle as the shins, arms are forward and a bit to the side and the chin is level with the snow with eyes looking forward.

Screenshot of Krisoffersen from video by Filip Chwistek/ Text by ARM

The Athletic Stance is effective because it establishes a centre of gravity that runs through the human body, from the head to the feet, as demonstrated in this picture of a weight lifter lifting a heavy weight.

Image by Freepic/Graphics by ARM

Watch Henrik Krisoffersen of Norway demonstrate the Athletic Stance in this video by Filip Chwistek.

An effective drill focusing on the key components of the Athletic Stance is the “Stork Turn” as demonstrated by this video.

Video by New Zealand Ski Instructors Alliance

The Athletic Stance is explained and demonstrated as a better way to ski by Tom Waddington in this video.

Video produced by CARV

Key Takeaways

  1. The Athletic Stance is a fundamental posture for alpine ski racers, optimizing their skiing performance and reducing the risk of injuries.

  2. Returning to the Athletic Stance during transitions between turns is crucial for maintaining an optimal position to start the next turn effectively.

  3. Various demonstrations and drills, like the ‘Stork Turn’, help skiers practice and reinforce the key components of the Athletic Stance.

Suggested Learning Modules

Go to Ski Technique 2 Flex the Outside Ankle

Return to Ski Technique or Learn to Race 

Important Message: Skiing and ski racing involve inherent risks. It’s essential to ski responsibly and stay within your skill level and personal comfort limits.