Nordic Bite: How to Attain an Effective Body Position for Skiing

Before we can execute movements for skiing, we have to position our body in a way that would allow to freely move all body parts. The position that places us firmly on our feet and allows us to move in any direction at any time is often referenced as an athletic stance. The characteristics of an athletic stance are:


• Feet are about shoulder-width apart
• All major joints are flexed enough to remain resilient
• Body weight is directly over feet, toward the balls of the feet
• Shoulders are relaxed
• Back is neutral
• The pelvis is neutral, with the lower back neither arched nor the tailbone tucked

• Head is up and vision is forward


One of the ways to attain an efficient (athletic) stance for skiing is to slide backwards on a slope and come to a complete stop using a reverse wedge. Once stopped, freeze for a moment, look at your ankle, knee and hip joints and remember the angles and how that position feels like. Try to replicate the same body position you experience while sliding back when going forward. The athletic stance is a foundation for all movements in skate and classic techniques.