Calling all snow dreamers: the only thing between you and unforgettable skiing experiences are some basic techniques that you can master more quickly than you ever thought. But preparation, in the shape of some simple home exercises and tailored training sessions on an indoor or dry slope, can make a world of difference to your snow holiday ensuring stress-free enjoyment and lasting confidence.
So whether you are a first-timer or super cautious returner, make this winter, or indeed year, the one when wishing becomes doing because there is still time to align your moves and be all the fitter to embrace life afterwards.
Carve your way elegantly into a brave new world with snow coaching supremo Warren Smith’s Ski Academy https://www.warrensmith-skiacademy.com which offers lessons and courses across the piste from pros to beginners and juniors.
At this stage of the season the main action is in Verbier, Switzerland but earlier on training is also held in the UK at top spots such as The Snow Centre (with real snow!) in Hemel Hempstead.https://www.thesnowcentre.com
Its spacious beginners’ slope offers plenty of scope to master the most crucial element: control. Depending on the time of year, other centres to check out featuring Warren Smith Academy expertise include Chill Factore in Manchester, Cervinia in Italy and Japan.
At the London Snow Show last autumn (next one October 18-19 at Olympia), visitors were queuing up to try the Academy’s core Six-Way Foundation Test. Its key aspects cover movement and stability, measuring ankle flex and leg steering ranges, skier symmetry, leg flexion and extension, body angulation and core stability.
Developed “to build a sound biomechanical structure for skiing,” explains Smith, “it enhances performance and reduces the risk of injury.”
The Academy also works with leading snow sports brand Helly Hansen https://www.hellyhansen.com whose Kvitfjell Race Puffy Jacket is perfect for a resort break and for more advanced technical alpine off piste adventures there’s the Elevation Infinity 3.0 jacket, plus Lifa thermal baselayers, musts for any trip.