Hey Ladies!  Check this out!

So why is a guy writing about Women’s equipment?

Because this guy has taught skiers and tested Instructors, longer than most people have been skiing. Brian also worked as a Clinic Conductor and Ski School Supervisor, and spent “on snow” time with U S Olympian Pam Fletcher (Nine-year U.S. Ski Team veteran; Calgary 1988 Olympian; holds six national titles; won gold at the ‘86 World Cup downhill in Vail, a truly gifted skier) in developing a comprehensive Women’s program at one of the largest Ski Schools in the U S.

OK…Ladies lets try something.  Kick off your shoes…

1.  Stand sideways in front of a mirror, in what you would presume to be a well balanced “athletic stance”.  Are your knees slightly bent?  Feet about “hip’s width” apart, and your elbows bent with your hands where you can see them? Excellent!

2. While maintaining this position, and turning your head to watch in the mirror, slowly transfer your weight onto your heels. That’s it we’re done! 

There are inherent biomechanical differences that allow women to maintain a good supposedly balanced stance that still allows or even encourages the infamous “sitting back” ski stance like you just demonstrated.

Ask a man to perform the steps outlined above and he will either start to fall backwards, or he will adjust everything above his knees just to stay balanced.

You just discovered a critical consideration with regard to improving your skiing.
WOMEN HAVE A LOWER C of M, (CENTER OF MASS).  NOT gravity but mass.

This physiological difference, combined with “Q angle” (the fact that your Femur, the large bone in your upper leg is actually at a slight angle, pointing slightly inward as it reaches your knees) makes it more difficult for women to initiate a turn.

AND, women have less lower leg strength, with less mobility at the ankle and knees, often causing them to bend at the waist in an attempt to “get forward.”
WOMEN are NOT small men.

So, you see?  IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT!

In the words of Jeannie Thoren, one of the first to seriously address Women Skiers…

"The weak link in a women’s skiing is usually her equipment"

There is so much more to Jean, so may I suggest or recommend learning more about her Women’s Ski philosophy and teachings. NO ONE does it better.

Lucky for you Ladies, ski companies; have come to your rescue. The right ski and maybe a private lesson or two will help your performance dramatically!  Olin pioneered some women specific designs in the 80s and their ideas have matured into some truly great skis.

These new 2007 models of women’s skis, deliver a wide range of performance for all women. From the “Dynastar’s Exclusive 8” for women craving only FUN and confidence, to the “Exclusive Carve and Exclusive Legend”  real “go anywhere and rip it up” tools for aggressive ladies that have been insulted by some of the so called “Women’s Performance models” of the past.

To share my wife Grace’s review. . . . . .

“The Dynastar Exclusive Legend is the “real deal.” With its slightly wider (75mm) waist, the Legend allows the skier stability without diminishing the skis competence in all turn shapes. Smooth? Yes! Forgiving? A little, but this one is for women that get on the Blacks and ski everything including deep snow. BUT, for pure carving fun, especially on packed or icey runs, I like the Exclusive Carve.”

With a forward binding position (1 to 3cm) to compensate for the “Q angle & lower C of M” (remember that "center of mass" thing) the new Women’s skis are perfect for ladies looking for improvement without ditching the family and spending the winter in Vermont. Another feature contributing to better technique is the raised heel portion of the ski. With the heels slightly raised, the skier is put in a more “forward” position, creating more even pressure from tip to tail.

The ski can now bend in the MIDDLE and CARVE. Please remember, a bent ski simply won’t go in a straight line if it is put on edge. Instead of skidding to control your speed, simply finish your turns. You will feel better (and look better) doing it.

Try that same thing again in front of the mirror again, but this time, put a magazine or 2 under your heels and feel the weight more naturally on your forefoot. The added heel lift helps you maintain an evenly weighted stance, which will get rid of the dreaded “wobblies” Your car wouldn’t steer well without any weight on the front wheels, and your skis will react the same way.

The timing is perfect Ladies. Women’s Skis aren’t just girly colors. They are true high performance tools with 2 decades of women specific research and testing. Get on a pair and rediscover the sport. Take a private lesson or two, and as all married instructors already know, DON’T let your husband teach you. The improvements will follow, and with less effort than you might think. HAVE FUN!

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