Robert “Bobby” Wiebel of Sparta, NJ, serves as director of operations for food packaging company Econo-Pak. An avid outdoorsman in his free time, Robert Wiebel particularly enjoys skiing.
One of a skier's most fundamental skills is the neutral stance. A good neutral stance allows the skier to balance effectively and respond to changes in position and direction, all without resorting to tension. The basis of such a stance is the maintenance of the weight above the center of gravity.
Because the body's weight is centered in the pelvis, the hips should remain above and aligned with the feet. Weight should be distributed evenly between the feet and concentrated slightly on the balls of the feet, though the skier should still feel as though he or she has the full base of each foot for support; toes should remain relaxed and not clenched.
Additionally, the ankles remain relaxed. They should have some forward and back mobility but should be resting at a place that lets the shins rest against the front of the boots. Knees should be gently bent and the torso should bend slightly forward, as a slightly rounded torso maximizes range of motion.
Arms can help to stabilize the stance. When held in front of the body with relaxed but flexed elbows, as so that the hands are just within the lower limit of the skier's field of vision. The arms then become tools that the skier can use to keep the body balanced throughout the run.
