Warren Smith Ski Academy Ski Technique Lab Tour Kicks Off With A Full House

The Warren Smith Ski Academy 2021 tour has now started SKI TECHNIQUE LAB TOUR.

The tour ends on October 27 in London and there's still places available
NEW plyometric and ski specific exercises introduced after trials during the ‘Covid’ winter
Proven ‘6 Way Foundation Tests' remain in the program, now in its 6^th year
Learn ‘Ski Technique Hacks’ to develop strength before lessons and help reduce risk of injury

Formulated over 20 years by working with thousands of skiers, the Warren Smith Ski Academy team brings GAIT Analysis to skiing technique, enabling the learner to develop their level even before a ski lesson. This pre, during and post-ski development formula makes the skier biomechanically sound, reduces the risk of injury and makes for faster development when they next hit the slopes. In other words, Ski Technique Hacks.

Now in its 6th year, the workshops will now have 3 Way Lineage (Ski Technique - Ski Biomechanics - Ski Equipment Precision) and explanations on why it’s vital for ski technique development. There is the ‘6 Way Foundation’ tests and the new Ski Plyometric Exercises.

NEW FOR 2021: Tested last year on the tour with reduced capacity due to Covid, the Academy had the chance to put people through a series of basic plyometric (involves jumping, hopping and skipping) ski specific exercises. The results significantly helped skiers on take-off and landing side to side, within 15 minutes raising huge awareness and changes that took place on the night. This extra element will be an additional part of the October tour.

Warren Smith said: “It has been a great start with so many skiers keen to get back on the slopes again. There's been a great buzz and for us to be meeting skiers again that want to improve before the winter and use that when they get out on the slopes is fantastic. We are literally travelling all over the country from north to south and hope to see many more skiers along the way. We will also be at The National Snow Show at the NEC on October 23 and 24 too”.

The talks conclude with an open Q&A session – the evening lecture allows keen skiers to hit the ground running ahead of the fast approaching winter season.

THE 6 WAY FOUNDATION TESTS EXPLAINED

1. LEG FLEX PATTERN TEST
By taking a measurement of how far each person's ankle allows them to flex, we can tell early on if the simple mechanics of the sport will work or not. The ideal drop test range for safe skiing is between 15cm and 20cm with equal range on the right and left ankle. Our previous findings showed the national average was 11cm, with the lowest score being 4cm. Most importantly over 95% of people showed a clear difference between their left and right ankle flex ranges.

2. SKIER SYMMETRY TEST
Symmetry describes how skiers manage their width of stance from the feet up to their hips and maintain a consistently symmetrical position. To test this range, we use our simple 10 second test where attendees try to pull their feet together on a slippery surface in a slow controlled movement without their knees dropping in. Previous findings showed that over 70% of people had to take 3 attempts to make it last 10 seconds or more. Muscle fatigue was also evident.

3. LEG STEERING RANGE TEST
The ability to steer the legs independently from the hips is one of the most fundamental movements in skiing. This is the ball rotating inside the socket joint of the hip. We measured the range the outside leg is able to rotate inwardly (i.e. left leg steering inwardly towards the right) without the hips following. The average inward rotation range on our last tour was 45 degrees. 90% of people showed over 20 degrees difference between left and right and only 5% of people tested showed a clear range of 70 degrees in each direction.

4. BODY ANGULATION TEST
Learning how to move laterally and create angles in the body. This is a key factor in skiing and a movement range that many people struggle with especially on one side of the body. Our exercise will help identify and improve this range.

5. LEG EXTENSION TEST
Learning the correct action and understanding how to activate the outside leg to achieve edge grip and pressure during your turns. We'll show a great exercise to try at home or in the gym.

6. CORE STABILITY TEST
Becoming aware of core strength and how to keep it activated whilst skiing. This helps deal with the pressure that skiing puts through the middle of your body. We'll give you some practical ski-specific exercises to try.

SKI TECHNIQUE LAB UK TOUR – OCTOBER 2021 DATES & VENUES