by John Seifert, Ph.D., and Ron Kipp

Salt Lake City, UT - A few years ago we spent a full day observing the hydration habits of recreational skiers at a mountain resort. We saw nothing.

by Jason Amrich

Boulder, CO - You have all new ski equipment -- shaped skis, bindings with riser plates, and the latest boots. You feel totally ready to hit the slopes. But are you? Make sure you aren’t forgetting about the most important piece in preventing ski injuries and increasing your skiing enjoyment: your physical condition. Being physically ready for the demands of skiing will decrease your risk of being injured and improve your skiing ability and enjoyment. By engaging in a pre-season ski conditioning program, you can take your skiing to new heights while avoiding the injury pitfalls.

Creative Tips for Getting in Ski Shape During the Summer Months

by Adriana Blake

Taos Ski Valley, NM - It’s a tough time of year for those of us who love skiing. Our skis have been carefully tucked away and we can only rely on the sweet memories of fresh tracks to keep us cool during the hot summer months ahead. In fact for many, the only thing tougher than watching the snow melt off the mountain peaks is watching hard-earned ski muscles melt off the body.

5 Fool-proof Strategies for Tackling the Bumps Like a Pro

by Deb Armstrong

Taos Ski Valley, NM - For beginners and some intermediate skiers, a face-off with a mogul run can turn a good day on the mountain into a bad one. Scary yard-sale crashes and even heated exchanges between couples are a familiar backdrop of many mogul hills.

But for those intermediate and advanced skiers who actually go out of their way to scout mogul runs and tackle them wholeheartedly, it can be an exhilarating experience and an impressive athletic feat. During a mogul run, if a skier has enough body control that the lower body, including the knees and feet, work independently from the upper body, it’s a beautiful sight that demonstrates skill, balance, and harmony. While there is no substitute for taking ski lessons and receiving on-mountain guidance, there are some techniques you can study and reference. Keep these strategies in mind and soon you’ll be skiing moguls with more confidence, control, and comfort.

Get more from skiing by building mental stamina.
Think of it as crunches for your brain.

by Deb Armstrong

Taos Ski Valley, NM - You already know that skiing requires athleticism and excellent body control. That’s why you follow your workout routine throughout the year working on stretching, core exercises, weights, balance, quickness, and cardio. Being healthy increases responsiveness and allows your body to relax on the mountain. If you’re not struggling to exert yourself at every turn, your movements are more effortless and your body is open to experiencing the adrenaline rush and natural high you feel when you’re skiing.

by Lisa Marie Mercer

Frisco, CO - All movements require a structural base in order to generate and absorb force. This is what we call posture. Since posture is the point at which movement begins and ends, movements that begin in less-than-optimal posture may have a less-than-optimal ending. On the ski slopes, this may translate into injury.

by Marc Cirigliano

It’s that time of year for most North Americans. Put away your skis and boards. Wax ‘em up, buckle or tie your boots, and put everything away in a clean, dry place until things get rolling again late next fall.

But it’s not time to sit around and mope about it all.

Story & photos by Robert Holt

Fernie (BC), Canada - The Backcountry: A place as dangerous as it is alluring. Countless tales of inexperienced, ill-prepared winter sports enthusiasts perishing in avalanches have previously put me off venturing outside of patrolled areas. The only avalanche knowledge I’ve previously needed was that I knew little about them and (unlike many) wasn’t prepared to pay the ultimate price for that elusive out of bounds powder stash.

by Bob Berwyn

It's hard to believe, but the modern telemark revival has been under way for a generation - enough time to see quantum changes in gear, not to mention in awareness and attitudes.

by Marc Cirigliano

Old man winter—old person winter, if you want to be contempo about it—is here like we haven’t had in many years. I have to say that it’s been the most exciting winter sports season in recent memory.

Not only has the weather been fabulous, but I’ve seen more variety on the slopes than ever before.  Old timers, middle aged desk jockeys, moms, dads, boys and girls—all are out on the slopes having a ball.  This diversity is carrying over to the forms folks are using to express their winter joy.  In addition to traditional alpine skiing, I regularly see twin tip freestyling, alpine and freestyle boarding, and what is turning our to be my kids’ favorites—snowblading.

But, as I’m sure many of you have noticed, having fun on the slopes comes at a cost—especially for those of us who can’t spend a good portion of our day hiking outside and playing sports to keep in shape.

by Harald Harb

This lesson will help you learn to make short turns using low-effort, simple movements.

by Harald Harb

Using in-line skates is a fabulous way to train for skiing during the off-season.

by Harald Harb

This lesson will help you to carve more and to achieve better edge hold by using the Phantom Move assisted by shortening of the free leg. This will increase edge angle and therefore carving. In ski turns, each of your feet plays a different role. One foot is the stance foot - you balance primarily on this foot, and it supports most of your weight. The other foot is the free foot - it supports very little weight, thus it is light on the snow and you are free to move it and tip it.

by Harald Harb

This lesson will help you learn to make short turns using low-effort, simple movements.

by Harald Harb

This lesson will improve the finish of your ski turns. Your feet will come closer together, the stance ski (the downhill ski) will carve and grip more, and you’ll be able to ski on steeper terrain or firmer snow without sliding sideways or picking up speed. Starting in a shallow to medium traverse allows you to practice the key movements of a strong turn finish, which you’ll then incorporate into linked turns.