Warm weather activities can continue the skiing improvements made over the winter. Now is a good time to cross train and build on the skills of the last ski season. Here are three activities that will help to maintain ski fitness and improve on skills such as balance and co-ordination:

• inline skating: This is an activity that calls upon balance and co-ordination. The inline skating is an excellent cross training activity. For the younger skiers, the necessity of some speed in inline skating develops a confidence for skiing. It is learning that some speed actually helps in balance.
• wobble board: Sometimes, this piece of equipment is called a ‘wobble board’. Depending on your location, it may be called a ‘wibble board’. It is usually a round wood or plastic platform that is attached to a half round ball. The task is to balance on the platform without allowing the sides of the platform to touch the floor. This activity improves balance and body awareness. The degree of difficulty of using a wobble board can be increased easily. For example, while balancing on the wobble board, play catch with someone. It does not matter what size ball is used. Catching and throwing, while not allowing the sides of the platform to touch the floor, will be difficult initially.
• standing on one foot: This is also another activity that can be increased in difficulty. While standing on one foot, play catch with someone. An alternative is to toss and catch a tennis ball against a wall. A natural tendency is to hop instead of balance. Try to eliminate the hopping. One foot will be easier than the other. The goal is to be balance proficiently on either foot.

These summer activities will translate into significant ski improvements next season. And before these activities, stretch. The stretching will increase range of motion and it is one of the best activities to prevent injuries during the ski season. The goal is to build on the improvements from last season and these activities really will help.

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster:  http://flyinghamster.com/