236 Other Training-Related Issues
Training for Skiing
A high skill level is essential if use of skis is contemplated. Under most operational
conditions, cross country skiing provides the highest degree of non-mechanized mobility
for travelling over snow and ice. Skiing becomes a very efficient form of man-powered
transportation during long transits over flat terrain. However, the advantages of skiing only
become apparent after acquisition of specific skills and fitness.It is extremely easy to sustain a serious immobilizing injury while skiing heel free
in non-release bindings and floppy loose boots. The potential for injury is magnified further
when the skier is loaded down with gear. Thus, the operator participating in winter warfare
must be a competent skier.The overall fitness level of SEALs may be adequate for cross country skiing
because fitness from running and aquatic training carry over to skiing. However, different
muscle groups are used; thus SEALs should strive to customize their training programs in
anticipation of winter warfare. Use of a ski machine does confer training specificity and
assists with developing the coordination and muscle adaptations needed to ski efficiently.
Other real training issues for skiing are skills and technique. There are several operational
considerations to consider:" Need to be able to stop and turn efficiently in a variety of
snow and ice conditions." Need to be able to ski safely with a pack and weapons.
" Need to be familiar with gear modifications for maximum
efficiency.Turns, Stops, and Technique
Safe skiing with a pack demands aggressive unweighting and the use of parallel ski
techniques. Forget about telemark turns while you are wearing a pack; the slow forward
lunge required to initiate a turn in back-country snows while wearing a pack puts the skier
in a vulnerable body position. This is an invitation to sustain a serious knee injury to the
lead leg, particularly because of the extra weight transmitted to the leg due to wearing a
pack.Telemarking is useful when used to stop while traversing a hill. Instead of
extending the uphill leg to initiate a downhill turn, extend the downhill ski and drift up into
the hill. This maneuver is easy to control and is a useful tool for checking downhill speed
while skiing heel free and wearing a pack.