Alpine ski turn initiation requires subtle movements in the feet and ankles. Once your lower legs tip your skis, your hamstrings and quadriceps perform gentle flexion and extension movements. Since your upper body has only a minimal involvement in the modern alpine ski turn, sore shoulders may indicate improper technique or equipment.
Old School Technique
During the 19th century, skiers used only one pole. The momentum of the pole and the upper body movements turned the skis. The two-pole technique evolved in the early 20th century, but the method still used a good deal of upper body turn initiation. The invention of the shaped ski in the 1990s revolutionized ski technique. While light and flexible boards eliminated the need for upper-body momentum, they did not gain full acceptance until the early 21st century. If you learned to ski prior to the advent of shaped skis, you learned a totally different technique. Your vigorous upper body movements overpower your skis, causing you to lose your balance. In response, you tense your shoulders and upper body to regain stability. Taking a few lessons in modern technique may alleviate the resulting shoulder pain.
Carrying Your Skis
Skis are cumbersome pieces of equipment. Carrying them incorrectly wreaks havoc on your shoulders. Finding the proper balance points may minimize shoulder pain. Position your skis so that the binding's toe piece is behind one of your shoulders. Use one hand to adjust the angle of the ski, so that the tips face down and the tails face up. Hold your poles with your opposite hand. Some people find this uncomfortable, even when done correctly. If you have arthritis or previous shoulder injuries, a specially designed ski backpack offers a comfortable alternative.
Fear Factors
Fear causes shoulder tension, and skiing beyond your level of proficiency causes fear. The "pushy significant other syndrome" plays a key role in inducing the fear factor. The friend, spouse, family member or lover that encourages you to ski terrain that is well beyond your skill level is not doing you any favors. Even if you survive that double black diamond bump run in crowded and icy conditions, your shoulders probably stayed glued to your ears throughout the entire descent.
Falling
Falls account for more than 90 percent of the skiing shoulder injuries, explains the surgeons of the Orthopaedic Department of Klinikum Dortmund Germany. Dr. Mike Langran, creator of the ski-injury.com website, explains the different circumstances that may cause shoulder injuries in alpine skiers. These include falling on the shoulder itself, outstretching your hand in an attempt to break the fall, then falling on your hand and twisting your upper body. Some shoulder injuries may cause rotator cuff tears. These require a doctor's immediate attention.
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