December Physio-4 Tips for skiing and boarding

​Winter is in the air.  And that means skiers and boarders have one thing on their minds, hitting the slopes.  As more and more British Columbians hit the slopes, it’s important to make sure participants have fun and remain pain and injury free. Always wear a helmet and ensure your equipment has been checked and tuned for the season.  Whether you’re cruising a green run or racing through the gates, your physiotherapist can create a ski fit program that’s right for you.  If you experience pain during or after skiing or boarding, your physiotherapist can help.

Skiing & Boarding Tips to prevent injury, alleviate pain and keep you moving for life.

1. Develop strength in the off-season.  Cycling and weight training are great options for skiers and boarders. Cycling develops cardio and weight training strengthens the muscles needed to be explosive on the slopes. Your physiotherapist can develop an off-season program to improve your on-hill performance. 
   
   
2. Warm up before hitting the slopes to prevent injury.  The lure of fresh tracks makes many people rush to the lifts and ignore a warm-up. However, a light jog and stretching beforehand will make those first powder runs even better and reduce your risk of injury. 
   
   
3. Drink water.  It’s easy to skip rehydrating when you’re doing laps in the terrain park but make sure you take time to sip water. If you’re on the mountain multiple days in a row, it’s important to keep hydrated so your body can recover more easily after a long day on the hill. 
   
   
4. Choose the right equipment.  Good boots that fit properly and a snowboard or skis that are tuned for the current conditions will make your day more enjoyable. Wearing a helmet that fits reduces the risk of a concussion and head injury.