Outdoors

Exercises To Crush Ski Season Like A Pro

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Front view of a muscular couple doing planking exercises

Image: Shutterstock/wavebreakmedia

Ski Season Exercises

Ski season is upon us and that means long weekends on the slopes and even longer weeks at our day jobs. But just because you can’t hit the mountain every day doesn’t mean you can’t train like Gus Kenworthy or Lindsey Vonn!

Add these ski season exercises into your workout routine to give your body that extra kick in between snow-filled weekends. You’ll thank us after catching both first and last chair with enough energy to hit the town afterwards.

Wobble Board Squats

This tough spin on an exercise classic will certainly give you the core strength and balance to last you from first chair to last. Use the wobble board to engage your core muscles as you form a squat. For an added layer of work, wear a weighted vest and try a deeper squat.

Remember, when you squat, keep your weight on your heels, your knees in line with your feet, and your back straight.

Wall Sits

Wall sits are the perfect move to engage both your core and leg muscles all at once. Find any clean wall to practice this one on. Try intervals of one minute, but keep building up the time as you get stronger and stronger. Keep those legs at a 90 degree angle to the floor.

Burpees

To get a total body exercise, do a few reps of burpees. This fast-paced workout will get your heart rate up for that extra push of cardio. Strong endurance is key to maintain in between sessions on the slope so you don’t tire out half way through the day.

Mountain Climbers

Mountain climbers are another excellent workout for those who need a total body wake-up on off days. Keep your leg and arm strength in check when you do two minute intervals of these bad boys. To keep the challenge going, increase your interval time or amount of reps.

Skaters

For those who require some extra knee support in between sessions on the mountain, add skaters into your exercise routine. This workout will build strength in your quads, which helps take the load off of your used-and-abused knees.

Skaters are an important plyometric exercise, which is a technical word for explosive speed and strength. Those are definitely two things you can use on the mountain!

Planks & Side Planks

Everyone hates planks on core day, but they’re a staple for a reason. Not only do they work the upper and lower muscles of your abs, planks also give your quads and calves a run for their money as well. Work every angle by doing planks on both the left and right side.

Stretches (Hamstrings, Quads, Hip Flexors, Calves)

Any winter sport enthusiast knows that stretching is key. Who wants a torn ligament to end the season prematurely? For skiers, the most important muscles to stretch are the hamstrings, quads, hip flexors, and calves. Better yet? Find a yoga video on YouTube and get your full body stretch on.

Keep up a consistent routine with these ski season exercises so you can crush ski season like a pro.

 

Mandy Burkholder is a travel, adventure, and outdoor writer who honed her craft in the foothills of the La Plata Mountains of Southwest Colorado. After a stint in the Swiss Alps, she now resides in Tennessee. Follow her on twitter — @mandyburkhold3r

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