Help: how to get in shape for skiing??

[Laura]

Your legs are probably in pretty good shape but strength training is very important. I ski about 10-15 times a year (well I did when I lived in Jackson Hole anyway). You might try going a 1/2 day the first day you are there. Depending on when you go you should work on strenghtening the muscles that support your knees. My hands always kill me the first day of skiing because of my pole plants and gripping the poles but I don't know if there is an exercise for that. Have a great time. I went to Breckenridge last weekend and had a blast. Having skiied in Jackson the last 3 years it was great to be able to ski the advanced runs here. I think Jackson Hole is probably one of the more difficult mountains to ski on because of its vertical rise. Even intermediate slopes are steep.

[HARRYET]

Oh wow!! I didn't even think about having my upper body in shape for skiing, I haven't skied in 13 years (since I got pregnant with my son) and am going with DH, niece and my kids on Friday, (nothing as intimidating as Aspen, just a small mountain in Flagstaff,AZ) the kids want me to snowboard, but I think I'll stick to what I know, skiing!

hhcowgirl, good luck in Aspen, I think maybe you could start doing push-up to strengthen the upper body, that might help! Have fun!

[hhcowgirl]

Hi! I am going to Aspen to ski and am SCARED--it will be the toughest skiing I have ever done, apparently Aspen Mtn. is really hard. I was wondering, first of all, what the best exercises to do before my trip are (I don't have much time). Also, any avid skiers out there, please chime in: I run about 20 miles a week and don't lift very many weights at all, particularly am weak in the arms--do y'all think I will have the stamina/strength to go 3-4 days straight? Any advice would be appreciated!

[Kerri]

Hello! Last year at this time I went sking. At the time I was running about 10 mile weeks. The next day, I thought I would be sore, but I wasn't. My body was pretty fatigued thought and I am not sure if I could have gone more than one day in a row. I think you will probably be fine, but strength training would definately help. I would also say to eat right so that your body won't get so tired (get plenty of protein and carbs). Since you are going to be there for a couple of days, you don't have to cram all your sking into one day. Enjoy it. Take half days and stop when you are tired. I am so jealous of you - have fun!!

[Sandy1]

My sorest spot after skiing the Rockies was my jaw...but I think that was just from gritting my teeth:-) Whew...those are some BIG mountains. Legs, legs, legs....and I bet yours will be okay after all that running...at least for stamina. As far as strength is concerned....I'd do some lunges or sqats. But then again, you didn't say exactly how long before you go..and you don't want to put yourself in a 'muscle depletion/recovery' mode either.
Just go easy on the first day (hey, they have some pretty good bars at the resorts:-)
and let your body be your guide.
Mine kept saying "If you keep this up..we're running straight into the next tree we see!"
Have a great time....
Sandy.

[Laura]

Just a thought, but keep in mind the altitude you will be at and where you will be coming from. I live at 6200 feet, but when I went skiing at Vail (which has a base of 8000) I was still dying big time. I don't know the base elevation of Aspen or where you are coming from but if you are making a huge elevation gain be sure to go easy at least the first day and keep yourself well hydrated.

[HARRYET]

O.K. I just got back last night from skiing, and it really is like riding a bike, everything just came right back to me even my form, only fell 2x all day!

As for soreness, my upper body surprisingly is not sore at all, now my calves are another story, a little sore but not to bad, nothing a little loosening up won't take care of.

I'll tell you though my DH and i couldn't believe the # of snowboarders on the slopes! Both my kids took snowboarding lessons, my son ended up getting the flu while we were there and spent time off and on laying down in the car,poor kid was so looking forward to this outing http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif and my daughter had a blast, she did surprisingly well (she not very athletic in the sense of playing sports, but dances 10 hours a week) this morning though she said her arms are killing her, (snowboarders, I feel spend way to much time on their bottoms!)

Any how enough rambling, hhcowgirl, I think you'll do fine, it's sound like your in really good shape, have fun and enjoy http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Ann