Welcome to Lisa Ballard's blog, where you'll find updated information based on her popular book, Ski Faster! Guide to High Performance Skiing and Racing, and LOTS more. As one of the top masters ski racers in the world and a prominent masters-level coach, you'll get technical and tactical tips for slalom, giant slalom, super G, and downhill, off-snow training ideas, answers to your gear questions, insights about aging and athletic performance, and travel advice. This blog is aimed at adult athletes, though junior racers, parents, coaches, officials, and skiers in general can glean useful info, too. If there's something ski-related that you're wondering about, Contact Lisa. If you would like to ski with Lisa at one of her race camps or trips, click here.
PLUS WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A COACH AND TRAINING PROGRAM: August 23, 2025. Ski racing is a sport for life! This is my long-time motto and the basis of my coaching philosophy. My overarching goal is to create a positive, supportive athletic environment, both on and off the ski slopes, that promotes a lifelong […]
PLUS, HOW TO KNOW IF YOU ARE OVER-TRAINING: August 11, 2025. When you get in a starting gate, only you can make your run go well. To do that, you need to gauge what your training needs are, so that when it’s go-time, you perform your best. This includes whether you should get on snow […]
IMPROVING QUICKNESS, COORDINATION, AND FLEXIBILITY: July 7, 2025. Getting in shape for skiing, and especially ski racing as a masters athlete, is an annual cycle of periodic training, meaning concentrating on certain areas of fitness at certain times of the year. It starts each spring by laying a foundation of endurance and stamina, followed by […]
BUILDING STRENGTH, POWER, ENDURANCE, STAMINA: June 19, 2025. One of the most common questions I’m asked is “how should I get in shape for ski season?” Let’s start by saying attention to physical conditioning is not only an off-season endeavor. If you work hard throughout the summer and fall to get in shape for winter, […]
BUILDING STRENGTH, POWER, ENDURANCE, STAMINA: June 19, 2025. One of the most common questions I’m asked is “how should I get in shape for ski season?” Let’s start by saying attention to physical conditioning is not only an off-season endeavor. If you work hard throughout the summer and fall to get in shape for winter, […]