Glossary
Lateral Balance
Lateral Balance
A specific set of balancing skills in skiing, “Lateral Balance” refers to how much weight you place, at any moment, on each of your inside and outside skis.
It’s referred to as balance management in the “Lateral Plane”. There are two planes of balance in skiing: Lateral and Fore/aft.
How you choose to distribute your weight between your inside and outside ski is referred to as your lateral “State of Balance”. The State of Balance you choose to employ has a significant influence on how your skis perform, and how much muscular effort is required. Directing the majority of your weight to your outside ski provides a very energy efficient stance that allows you to resist the forces of the turn with a long and strong outside leg. Moving a bit of weight to your weight to your inside ski distributes pressure on the snow over a larger surface area, and provides more float in soft snow.
Learning to manage your lateral balance provides performance options that will enhance your ability to ski any terrain on the mountain, and handle the challenges it throws your way.
