Skiing is an activity that children and adults alike enjoy. We associate the moments spent in the resorts with intense and unique moments to share as lovers, with family or friends, and with an exceptional panorama.
During the vacation season, we throw ourselves into the various preparations: searching for the most beautiful resort, booking accommodation and lessons, buying plane tickets, preparing our suitcases, etc. However, the practice of this sport requires preparation. You have to be in condition to ski.
What is skiing?
Alpine skiing is a sport that consists of skiing down a snowy slope using skis and fixed rear bindings. It includes different styles. Alpine skiing is different from high mountain skiing; Nordic skiing, such as cross-country skiing; ski jumping, and telemark skiing. It is popular wherever there is snow and mountains and where sufficient tourist infrastructure can be built, including Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, the Andes Mountains, South America, and the Far East.
Alpine skiing began as a club sport in 1861 in Kiandra, Australia, and in a number of similar clubs in North America and the Swiss Alps. Today, it is primarily practiced at a ski resort with lifts that transport skiers to the top of the mountain. Snow is groomed, avalanches are controlled, and trees are cut to create trails.
Many ski areas also have snowmaking equipment to allow people to ski when the weather would not otherwise allow it. However, alpine skiers can also practice their sport in less developed environments. This is called backcountry skiing, Nordic touring, or extreme skiing.
1. Essential equipment from head to toe
For safer skiing, you must be well equipped. Beginners and professionals alike must have the right equipment to move around on the slopes in good conditions. The body parts most vulnerable to injury are the head, neck, shoulders, hands, chest, pelvis, knees, and feet.
That’s why you need to have a ski helmet, gloves, wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, ski boots… There is also back protection, protective shorts, shin protection, airbag, or anti-avalanche ski bag. You can buy them on specialized websites and stores.
Some establishments offer them for rent in the resorts or nearby. This formula is more economical. For the sake of comfort and safety, all protective equipment should be adapted according to several parameters: the age and height of the person, his weight, his level (beginner, intermediate or advanced).
2. Accessories to protect yourself from the snow and the sun
To ski, you must be warm. Therefore, in your suitcase, you should take warm clothes (down jackets, sweaters, and pants), thick socks, hats, scarves… Everything you need for a stay in the snow. In addition, the scalp and skin must be protected from dehydration and the effects of UV rays.
You might as well get a quality sun cream, a moisturizing cream from the cold cream range, a sunblock lip balm, a ski mask, a pair of sunglasses (with specific lenses), etc. Not to mention a bottle of fresh water, a water bottle, and a first aid kit. The objective is to protect yourself from the cold and sunburn throughout your stay in the mountains.
3. Accident prevention gestures
Accidents, falls, and injuries are not trivial. They are part of the lotto managed once on the slopes. Therefore, having the necessary equipment is not enough. Certain precautionary measures must be taken.
Fortunately, all skiers (beginners, experienced, sportsmen or not) can reduce the risks by making fundamental but straightforward gestures and checking the length and push of the ski bindings. This will avoid the untimely removal of the bindings.
The correct adjustment of the equipment. The professionals are there to give advice:
- Warm-up exercises and stretching. These are also recommended before hitting the slopes. This allows you to be in top shape. The goal is to work the abdominal, buttock, and leg muscles.
- The control of the speed of sliding. It is essential to know how to adapt it according to the difficulty of the slopes and the slopes. The same goes for steering, overtaking, behavior and parking.
- Respect for the markings and signs.
- Knowledge and mastery of safety instructions.
- Maintenance of the equipment.
In this way, everyone will enjoy all the pleasures of skiing.
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