Recreational Alpine Skiing An Introduction

Abstract

Alpine skiing is the most common type of skiing performed on groomed and marked ski slopes. This review aims to help recreational skier improve their skiing ability by identifying conducive conditions for alpine skiing. Physically, strengthening balance, agility, and static leg strength via conditional training (ie. inline skating, roller blading, biking, running, sports stimulator) better prepares skiers for alpine skiing and reduces the chances of injury. Injury in knee and lower leg is the most common alpine skiing injury and the most severe are head injuries, highlighting the importance of wearing helmet, well-adjusted skis and suitable lane choice. Mentally, for beginners, increasing self-efficacy and decreasing fear and worry improves skiing performance. Whereas, for intermediate skiers, increasing worry or caution of the environment, increases performance. Technically, recreational skiers should attempt to perform symmetrical turns with greater range and speed of body movement. Lastly, the review presents recent technical and equipment advances in professional alpine skiing, reinforcing that the learning journey of alpine skiing is never ending. Hence, recreational skiers have a long and bright way to go, and researchers should try to expand their sample beyond adolescents and individuals in their early twenties, especially when investigating topics besides skiing injuries, to better generalize their impactful findings.