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How to Get in Shape for the Winter Ski Season

Are you physically ready to ski? The peaks are snow-capped. The slopes show a hint of white. It's time to prepare our bodies for the winter ski season.
Skiing is different from summer sports. There are few summer sports that prepare you to ski. Therefore, to ski your best this winter, you will want to practice these basics of sports conditioning.

If you are already very active, and you have no injuries, then you can start your ski conditioning as few as 4-6 weeks before skiing. Optimally, ski conditioning should start as early as 8 weeks before the season begins.

When conditioning to ski, you should begin by toning your legs. Your cardio exercise should be your key to leg-toning. Choose cardio exercises that simulate skiing.
Cross-country ski machines and slide-boards are two good choices for cardio work-outs. Taking aerobics classes are also helpful. Classes make you move in different directions, they focus on legs, and use cross-training.
Skiing is very anaerobic, using brief bursts of power ("hitting the slopes") followed by reduced intensity and rest (chairlift). So, practice anaerobic work-outs, too. Include bursts of intensity throughout your cardio work-outs.

While cardio should be your main focus for toning your legs, you can also use strength training. Lunges and squats, for example, are the two best exercises for toning legs, for any sport or just for the sake of making a hot butt!
Lunges are excellent for creating skiers' legs. Unless you have a knee injury, you can usually hold heavier dumbbells. Make sure you keep your torso upright, and keep your feet very wide apart from each other. Form is crucial!

Improve flexibility, loosening legs, hips, and torso. Yoga may be helpful, as it also improves your balance and breathing.
Your stretching should include rotation. Loosen the torso and hips: make them ready to carve turns.

To get in shape faster, you can also practice natural therapies. Receive sports massage. Eat healthier, including lean proteins and vegetables. Use a sauna. And ice sore muscles.

To tone up to ski, you'll include the three main types of exercise: cardio (aerobic and anaerobic), strength training, and flexibility. Emphasize the legs, and loosen the hips and torso, but work the whole body.
As you prepare for each pre-ski work-out, imagine yourself swooshing through fresh Aspen powder!

Learn more about this author, Nina Schnipper.
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