MEWS photo Terry Peters

STARTING THE ¢ki season without adequate conditioning could end the season sooner than you think.

Get in shape for slopes

WITH ALL the sweat and strain of getting the major
skiing muscle groups ready for the season you'll
probably never even think of your feet.

In fact, you won’t even think of them when you’re
half-way up the mountain looking out at all that
snow.

Your feet, like any other muscle group, should be
prepared for the first day of the season. And that can
be done in the same way you would prepare any other
part of your body for a rigorous day of skiing.

Onc way to prepare is by doing regular exercise
routines in advance that will tone and build arches,
insteps, and ankles.

Exercise increases your power and edge control and
leads to improvenient in boot comfort.

Just prior to putting on your boots you can also do
stretching and massaging to limber up the feet and in-
crease blood circulation.

Those who ski well use the whole lower body, in-
cluding the feet. Strength is important to both good
skiing and learning how to ski.

Feet and ankles can be strengthened in several ways.
Some basics tips are:

“e Walking or jogging on trails or uneven terrain as
opposed to pavement or the local: track. While this
does not target any specific muscle, the constant

change of surface forces tremendous adaptions on
ankles, arches (including the metatarsal arch), and in-
steps to maintain balance and to support the weight
and power applications that each stride requires.

Running downhill is a mimic of a slalom ski race
and is especially good in that the foot positioning rel-
ative to the body is very similar to its position in ski-
ing.
© Stand on one foot with eyes closed and your hands
out front. You will be amazed at how difficult it is to
maintain your balance.

This simple exercise is excellent for medial and lat-
eral ankles. In the course of adapting your
equilibrium to a stable base (your foot) you will ac-
commodate your entire body weight on each side of
your ankle several hundred times per minute.

in order to lessen the number of times you fall over,
follow the classic ski instructor’s cry of ‘‘bend zee
knee”’ (you’ll only be using one). This may turn out to
be excellent for your technique.
© Calf Raises. While they are thought of as building
or trimming lower calf muscles, raises are an especial-
ly good exercise for metatarsal arches and insteps.

You can work the raises out quickly, easily, and
constantly, simply by emphasizing the upiift motion
when you are climbing stairs.

Ski tour raises funds for MS

From page 32
M.S. is and the Quest gives him
the opportunity to involve himself
directly rather than indirectly by

volunteering his services.
The businessman will raise
money with the help from _ his
business, Beundo’s Country, located

We pick you up at the station
& Enjoy gourmet meals... your choice!
Relax by the fire in our Library Lounge

FOR RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION

on West 4th Ave., in Vancouver.
Ye will host two, one-day cross-
country ski packages to Manning
Park on Saturday, Dec. 3 and
Sunday, Dec. 4.

This ski package includes two
hours of ski lessons, rental equip-
ment, trail fee, transportation and

an afternoon ski tour. This makes
it ideal for beginners and experts
alike. The fee is $60 with the pro-
ceeds going to the M.S. Society.

If anyone is interested in joining
Jaeger’s cross-country tour, call
Benno’s Country at 738-5105.

Pk To a Quality Experience
ee Away From It All!

m@ Sauna, whirlpool, massage
i Cross-country skiing

@ Horse-drawn sleigh rides
B Sled dog day trips

PO. Box 760, 100 Mile House, B.C;
Phone: (604) 395-2266 FAX (604)791-6537

RED COACH INN TOLL FREE in B.C. 1-800-663-8422 |

L et the magic of Whister be at
your doorstep... The Resort On
Blackcomb, your neighbourhood. Ex-
citing mountain condominiums,
acioss from the Chateau Whistler Re-
sort Hotel, give you all the worldly
pleasures you could expect from
Bosa Development Corporation. One,
Two & Three bedroom townhouse vil-
las and ski chateau! style ho: -*s are
available now, featuring full fu. aishi-
ings and rental manegement. Call to-
day and inquire atout Wildwood
Lodge, Snowberry & Wintergreen Vil-
las priced from $131,000 to $267,000.

Sales Information
Call: The Whistler
Real Estate Co.Ltd.
Whistler... 932-5538
Vancouver Toll
Free... 681-6627