Learn to Race
Overview: Unlock your potential with the Alpine Race Method, a comprehensive resource that combines learning modules, fitness routines, and expert guidance to help you safely and enjoyably embrace the world of ski racing. Explore everything from equipment and race course strategies to precise physical movements, all aimed at elevating your skiing skills and enhancing your racing experience.
Introduction
Review the reasons why adults have a life long passion for alpine ski racing.
The Alpine Race Method has been designed to help you learn, ski safely and have fun. The Learning Modules include descriptions, pictures, graphics, videos and drills to help you prepare for this dynamic and exciting sport.
Like skiing, there is risk when ski racing. These risks can be well managed focusing on the right technique, equipment and fitness. At times the safest place to ski on a mountain is in a race course as a primary objective of course setters is to enable racers to train safely. Efforts are also made during training sessions and races to keep courses in good skiing condition.
Fitness
While some recreational skiers regard skiing primarily as an activity to attain fitness, adult ski racers invest time both before and during the race season to ensure they are in peak physical condition. Discover effective methods for improving your mental and physical fitness and access a selection of videos tailored specifically to skiers’ exercise routines.
Equipment
Its important to use the appropriate equipment including well fitted boots, skis designed and tuned for racing and the right poles and protective equipment. Refer to the Equipment Learning Modules.
Types of Race Courses
Explanations and demonstrations of Giant Slalom, Slalom, Dual Slalom, Super G and Downhill are included in the Race Courses Learning Module.
Introduction to Ski Racing
Deb Armstrong, former member of the U.S.A. Ski Team provides a good introduction to adult ski racing.
Skiing and Racing Technique
The Alpine Method focuses on the physical movements used by elite skiers and racers, tailored for adults to explain how to ski and race. To experience these physical movement explore the Learning Modules shown below.
Skiing is a dynamic sport centered on movement rather than static poses, so envision yourself smoothly executing each movement, enabling them to seamlessly blend together as you progress through the turn.
Click on the pictures or the words in bold and underlined for descriptions, pictures, graphics, drills and videos.
- With an Athletic Stance,
2. Flex the outside ankle onto the big toe, roll the stacked outside leg inward, press the outside foot against the ski,
3. Move forward by using your back and abdominal muscles to move your core and chest over your feet and down the hill. Feel pressure build against your outside ski.
4. Stack the outside leg and core keeping the shoulders level to the snow by separating just below the shoulders, and resist the pressure pushing back against the foot.
4. Release pressure against the outside ski once your skis are moving towards the next turn. Level your hips, plant or touch your outside pole on the snow and return to the Athletic Stance, ready to start your next turn.
5. Once you feel comfortable with these movements learn how to ski with parallel shins by rolling the inside leg.
Where to Ski Through a Race Course
When skiing through a race course focus on the snow where you will turn above the race gate rather than looking at the gate and plan to complete your turn as you pass by the gate.
The Line Learning Module offers more detailed guidance on the optimal paths to take while skiing in a course
To learn how to ski Giant Slalom, Slalom and Speed courses; Click here.
Learning
To accelerate your learning be sure to review the Learning Modules Skiing and Training with Purpose.
Journaling
Maintain a skiing journal. You are much more likely to remember what you learned from a training session when you describe in writing what helped you improve. Click below to learn more.
Strategize for Race Days: Acquire race day strategies, including the importance of course inspection, preparation and how to start; Click here.
Key Takeaways
- Introduction: The Alpine Race Method for Adults is designed to help individuals learn and enjoy ski racing safely. It encompasses learning modules, fitness routines, and expert guidance to enhance skiing skills and racing experiences. The emphasis is on managing risks through proper technique, equipment, and fitness while having fun.
- Fitness: Adult ski racers invest time in maintaining peak physical condition to excel in ski racing. The resource provides effective methods for improving physical fitness, tailored specifically to skiers’ exercise routines.
- Equipment and Race Courses: Using appropriate equipment, including well-fitted boots, race-designed skis, poles, and protective gear, is crucial. The resource also covers various types of race courses, such as Giant Slalom, Slalom, Dual Slalom, Super G, and Downhill, offering explanations and demonstrations.
- Skiing and Racing Technique: The Alpine Method focuses on physical movements to illustrate skiing and racing techniques. It emphasizes the importance of an Athletic Stance, flexing the ankle, rolling the outside leg, moving the body forward, stacking the outside leg and core, and resisting pressure during skiing. These movements should seamlessly blend together for a smooth skiing experience.
- Where to Ski in a Race Course: When skiing through a race course, it’s essential to focus on the snow where you will turn above the race gate rather than looking directly at the gate. The Line Learning Module provides further details on skiing through race courses, and specific guidance is available for Giant Slalom, Slalom, and techniques to increase speed.
- Learning: To accelerate learning, individuals are encouraged to review Learning Modules on skiing with purpose and training with purpose. Keeping a skiing journal is also recommended to help remember and track progress effectively.
Suggested Learning Modules
To learn how the Athletic Stance and stacking the outside leg will Reduce the Risk of Injury, Click here.
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