Getting back up on skis as we get old

As skiers grow older, getting back up after a fall can just be an ordeal, if it's even possible. This is due to the fact that our muscle power, general flexibility and a bunch of other factors make what once was a piece of cake, both very difficult and embarrassing.

For an older adult to get up, the rules that we used previously remain the same, that is place both skis across the fall line and this time take all the time needed to get prepared to stand up again. Of course, the steeper and the more packed the slope is, the easier it will be, as opposed to getting up from a flat level ground or some bottomless powder or head first into a tree well. 

For instance, some helicopter skiing outfits discourage older folks, like those over 70-75 to participate. Of course and regardless of age, there should never be any rush or panic to get up, as saving energy becomes of utmost importance! 

So just think well before doing anything and have a method in mind for the many circumstances you can find yourself into. Obviously, make sure first you’re not hurt before trying to get back up. 

Then there are a bunch of methods available, including the one I always taught my students that require spreading the feet apart and placing the weight on the uphill one, and simultaneously getting some support from the poles if that’s possible. 

Whatever method you chose, it has to be sturdy enough to support your weight as you try to get up. Of course, there is always the option of taking off one binding, if it can be reached easily, of course. 

Finally, I found that REI video shown below, that shows several original techniques I’d never seen before, with #2 being in my view the easier for older folks, unless they want to default to #3 and remove one of their skis before attempting to stand back up.