Alpine skiing knows a great success in France; it has 8.5 million followers! 82% of French people practice it rather than snowboarding or cross-country skiing.
Skiing is a sport that mobilizes muscles that are not always used to work intensively ; to ski in peace, to prevent winter sports holidays from becoming a nightmare, a few things must be done. Here are the valuable and thoughtful advice of Marie Marchand-Arvier, Vice World Champion Super G in 2009 , currently preparing for the season and the Olympic Winter Games, next February in Vancouver (Canada).
What physical preparation for a safe ski?
Marie Marchand-Arvier, Contamines-Montjoie skier:
- 1 to 2 weeks before going down the slopes, practice a gentle physical activity like swimming or running so as to accustom the body to provide an effort.
- Do not hesitate to give you a small program abs / glutes 10 minutes to 15 minutes to achieve at home, daily .
- Finally, small stretching sessions , with rotations, flexions ..., will help you avoid aches when the time comes ...
What clothes to adopt for the mountain?
Marie Marchand-Arvier:
- The equipment has evolved a lot in recent years; now, brands offer high-performance products that are truly adapted to cold and effort; I think in the first place to Carft and Odlo underwear , which are made with materials that keep warm while avoiding perspiration . Side pants and jacket, bet on products neither too fine nor too thick, the essential lies in the ability of the garment to cut the wind .
What equipment to ski safely?
Marie Marchand-Arvier: To ski safely, do not neglect the helmet ; it avoids many accidents, especially in children. Today, you can find top-of-the-range headphones and masks at affordable prices; this is the case at Bollé .
And on the spot, what are the good reflexes?
Marie Marchand-Arvier:
- Skiing is a relatively violent sport ; the first rule is to ski "humbly", not to overestimate yourself . One does not attack by a black runway in the morning; we prefer to go smoothly ... It is also advisable to stretch before launching on the slopes; either in the morning, at home or at the foot of the slopes. A few rotations (which allow to relax the pelvis and the spine), cracks and flexions and the body is ready to show what it is capable of!
- Cold, pleasure, concentration often make you forget the need to drink; the ski solicits the muscles and the malmène: it is absolutely necessary to drink regularly (water, tea ...) to avoid the aches and other tendinitis ...
- You should listen to yourself and do not hesitate to go down to the station when the fatigue is felt!
- Finally, back in the warmth of your cottage, do some stretching (for example, lying on your back, tilt your legs (stretched) backwards, without blows, as far as possible, as if you were doing a jerk, try to hold the position by blowing and then lower the legs, always strained, to practice for about 10 minutes). For couples, nothing like a massage arnica oil to relax your half ... As high-level athletes, we are massaged every day in training!
Is there a special ski menu?
Marie Marchand-Arvier:
- Choose proteins for breakfast , the most important meal of the day when you're in the mountains; prefer English breakfasts, with egg, ham ...; those who do not like can opt for yogurt, cereals and bread.
A big thank you to Marie Marchand-Arvier! Our champion trains in the Contamines-Montjoie resort, village of Haute-Savoie nestled in a particularly snowy valley and enjoys a quality ski area ...
