News and Info
Ski Technique Lab - Leg Steering Range
.png.png)
WSSA LEG STEERING RANGE
Ski Technique Lab - Leg Steering Range
from the Warren Smith Ski Academy
One of the many benefits of Mountain Air’s new partnership with the Warren Smith Ski Academy (WSSA) is the access it gives our clients and community to the Ski Technique Lab, the WSSA’s pioneering approach to perfecting ski posture and performance.
Warren and the team can be found in the Mountain Air shop throughout the winter where they will be giving live demonstrations of each of the 6 stages of the Lab. But don’t worry if you are not able to make these in person! We will be talking to Warren each month and breaking each stage down for you right here. This month - how to increase your leg steering range. As Warren says, “The best skiing posture comes from allowing the legs to steer past the fall line without the hips and upper body interfering.”
24th January | 17:30 - 19:00
Increase Leg Steering Range
The ability to steer the legs independently from the hips is one of the most crucial movements in skiing. Commonly, skiers develop weaker edge support in the turn and poor body positioning over their skis through a lack of proper coaching. The result is usually a weaker set in their dynamic balance. Steering should always come from the legs with the balls of the femur rotating in the socket joint of the hips to avoid twisting from the spine or knee.
Reasons for upper body rotation could be:
- General tightness in the muscles around the hips
- Years skiing without functioning leg steering
- Skeletal issues leading to a lack of rotational range in your legs
The WSSA’s 3 Solutions
1 - Leg steering range test - Independent leg rotation begins with the ball of the femur rotating in the socket of the hip joint. The range test checks the range at which you can steer your legs without moving your hips. An imbalance between your sides is common and could be an indication of a prior injury, misalignment in the pelvis or muscular tightness. Click HERE to see a video demonstration of the range test.
2 - Leg steering exercises on skis - Through improved leg steering range, you will unlock greater control on steeper, more challenging terrain. Click HERE to see what exercises you can get started with.
3 - Leg steering off snow exercises - Strength and conditioning pros can help you gain better flexibility in your hips. Yoga classes and similar approaches can target your mobility in these areas. Click HERE for a video demonstration from S&C expert Dougie Flockhart to get you on your way.
For full details and advice from the WSSA on increasing leg steering range, click HERE
Both Mountain Air and the WSSA are incredibly excited by our new partnership and the benefits it will have for our growing community of clients here in Verbier. If you have any queries at all about the Ski Technique Lab, the WSSA or Mountain Air info in general, please do not hesitate to come and see us in the shop or contact us via phone +41 (0) 27 775 44 03 or email shop@mountainairverbier.com
