Pre-ski season preparation: conditioning and equipment.

Skiing-either downhill or cross-country-is one of the most popular winter sports. Because the skiing season is short, a pre-ski conditioning program is particularly important to enhance enjoyment and minimize the risk of injury. Aerobic and anaerobic training and abdominal, quadriceps, and hamstring strength and flexibility drills are advised for those planning to downhill ski. Aerobic training and paraspinal, shoulder girdle, abdominal, quadriceps, hamstring, gastrocsoleus and anterior tibial strengths and flexibility drills are advised for cross-country skiers. An equipment check by a qualified technician is mandatory. Cants or skiboot orthotics are useful for skiers whose leg and/or foot alignment is abnormal.