Got a ski holiday coming up? These are always fun and exhilarating trips that allow you to immerse yourself in stunning wintery landscapes, but you must always make sure that you are physically prepared as a skiing trip can be incredibly physically demanding, and you will want to be up to the task to make the most out of it. Keep reading to find out more.
Understanding the Physical Demands of Skiing
Skiing has many physical demands, which means it is a full-body workout. It requires balance, coordination, strength in your core, legs, and arms, and endurance. These are all key areas that you will want to work on before you hit the slopes.
Assessing Your Current Fitness Level
You should assess your current fitness level well before the trip so that you have time to work on your fitness (if required). There are a handful of fitness tests you can complete at home, including a core strength and stability test, pushup fitness test, and 12-minute run fitness test, as a few examples. These tests should give you an idea of how prepared you are and what areas you need to focus on before your ski trip.
Build a Pre-Ski Holiday Fitness Routine
You will then want to build a pre-ski holiday fitness routine that will boost your physical fitness ahead of your trip. It will depend on the main areas you need to focus on, but many activities are good for developing skiing fitness. These include:
- Squats
- Lunges
- Planks
- Russian twists
- Wall sits
- Jogging
- Swimming
- Cycling
Combining these activities together will improve your strength and endurance so that you are well prepared for the physical demands of skiing while improving your overall health and fitness.
Preparing for Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is another important consideration, as you will not want this to ruin your trip. Many ski resorts are at high altitudes, which can cause headaches, nausea, and fatigue. To prepare for this, you should spend a day or two at mid-altitude to acclimatise and take it easy for the first few days while you adjust. If you’re planning a last-minute ski holiday to a high-altitude destination, taking steps to acclimatise is especially important.
Nutrition & Hydration
Nutrition and hydration are essential factors both when preparing for your trip and during the ski holiday. You want to prioritise a balanced diet filled with complex carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats to give you the nutrients you need while energy-boosting snacks like bananas, energy bars, and nuts can give you a boost on the slopes. You should also make sure that you stay hydrated on the slopes, especially if you are at high altitudes.
The advice in this post should help you get physically prepared for a ski holiday. You should never overlook the physical demands of a ski trip, as underestimating this could make it much harder to enjoy your time on the slopes and take its toll on your body. By working on your strength and fitness ahead of time, you can make the most out of the trip and perform at your highest level for a rewarding experience.
Photo credit: header, whistler blue sky, mountain
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