Getting in Shape for Ski Season

It's always the next day that kills you. It's the one when you wake up after that first epic day of the ski season and you curse your aching body. You barely make it downstairs for breakfast and you wonder out loud how you should have gotten into shape before the season began. It's a harsh reality for a lot of us that love to ski, but the aches and pains that come with the first few ski sessions don't have to be so painful. With a little physical preparation you can ski longer, harder, and with less aches and pains .... even at the beginning of the season! So this year before you enjoy all the windburn, hot chocolate, and hard skiing getting a physical fitness plan should become a priority.

The Recovery

Whether your ski passion lies in the nordic or alpine discipline doesn't matter. Being out of shape when ski season comes around hurts. But burning out half way through the winter is equally a bummer, so you need some down time. Don't begin your training for the next ski season the day after the last one. Taking a few weeks or even as long as a couple of months off after the season to rest and recover is important. Maybe picking up your summer sport of choice here slowly is a good idea. Going for walks and just staying active while not pushing yourself physically is a good way to recover, it's called active rest. After the ski season your body is beat down, so take a few weeks of 'me' time to recover.

Building The Base