Get stepping so you can ski powder

23rd November 2014, by Abi Butcher

Planning to ski powder this season? Step ups will help you prepare. Photo: Breckenridge

Looking forward to skiing aggressively in the powder – or even just protecting your knee from injury? Former elite ski physio James Vickers has the exercise for you. The step-up is the fourth ski-specific exercise in our fitness series.

“This is a really good exercise for skiing as it trains your hip to generate force in a flexed position,” says James. “This is something that happens when you ski, especially when you’re skiing aggressively. So if your anticipating some deep powder or sweeping GS style turns this coming season you need to hit this exercise.”

James advises to concentrate hard on the lowering aspect of the exercise so your always have control.

“This exercise is also a great one to protect the knee from injury. If you can prevent the knee from falling inwards on the way down then you know you’re pretty strong in the hip,” he adds.

Former TeamGB ski physio James Vickers demonstrates the step up

Rob Madden and James Vickers are now based at the Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP), 76 Harley Street, London. They have a depth of experience in elite skiing and snowboarding, and altitude and expedition medicine. For more information, visit chhp.com

• ski
• snow
• snowboard
• skiing
• snowboarding
• powder
• fitness

Back to features