At 15, I had a dream of skiing with my future family.Here's a video clip taken 60 years later

While at the side edge of a ski run, I watched as a young man carved 3 last graceful turns and stopped across the trail from where I rested. Then his wife carved the same 3 graceful turns and pulled up next to him. She was followed by her daughter, and she by her younger brother. I thought: "That's what I want to do with my family."

I was charmed by that long ago vision which has stayed with me for 60 years and explains the joy I felt skiing earlier this year with my daughter and grandchildren. Click on the video clip below.

Last week my dentist, Dr. Viviane, mentioned that she might go skiing for the first time this year. I put this information together for her and others thinking about skiing for the first time.

Actually, the fall is a good time to begin the ramp up for skiing this winter season. There is enough time to strengthen leg muscles that will make your first ski days more memorable. I am ready for fresh snow, blue sky, and a days-end dip in the hot tub to relax tired muscles! Where's Patricia?

(Scroll to the bottom for ski resort snow reports.)

Check the excellent form for carving turns in the photo below.

Patricia (above) illustrates the leg muscles involved in a day of skiing and shows the importance of conditioning exercises before learning to ski. Scroll to the bottom to see details of the muscles you will be strengthening.

*A few years ago I told my trainer I was going on a ski trip in two months and asked if he had any exercise recommendations. I had 8 weeks to train, followed his workout advice 2-3 times a week and skied better than when I was 17. My leg muscles were so much stronger that in the afternoons where I'd normally take more falls because of tired muscles failing to execute. I did not fall once! That's impressive!

*Here is the

3 PART WORKOUT

suggested by my trainer:

(Twice a week. But I'll be doing this at least 3 times a week.)

1. Place a ball between your back and a wall while standing. "Roll" down the wall into a seated position. Repeat for a set a 15. Complete three sets.

2. Balance as long as possible on a fourteen inch inflated disk to strengthen your ankles and lower legs. (See photo) Stay on the disk while bouncing a beach ball off the wall or do this with a partner and toss the ball back and forth for five minutes. Complete three sets. This will result in better control of your skiis and fewer falls. Other people will be getting tired, you'll be going strong.

3. Take a step forward (right foot) then slowly drop your left knee to the floor. Rise slowly. Repeat for a set of 15. Complete three sets. Over time, carry weights while doing this exercise and increase the weight slowly. This will strengthen your legs and make you less likely to fall in the afternoons when other people are getting tired. Watch out for all those fallen skiers as you pass them by.

Click HERE for ski training videos from REI

The following illustration highlights the muscles you want to strengthen for skiing.

SKI BETTER, AND EXPERIENCE FEWER FALLS.

Photo credit: https://doctorlib.info/anatomy/classic-human-anatomy-motion/8.html

When your lower leg muscles are tired, they don't have the strength required to press your skis into turns. That is what causes a greater number of falls during the afternoon. I've heard friends say they took a painful fall and never returned to skiing. Do the exercises mentioned above and ski to 120 and beyond.