Wilderness Sports Conditioning

Newsletter
Online Store
Contact Us
About Us
Site Map
Home

Mt. Baker Climbing Routes DVD

This informative DVD provides Video Panoramas, 3D Interactive Route Maps, 2D Interactive Route Maps, 360 Interactive Panorama, Climbing Term Glossary, Guide Service Information and much more. Learn more

Train Today for
Tomorrow's Challenges

Sport Specific > Skiing > Skiing Preparation

Ski Season Preparation (FAQ)

Q: With the weather getting cooler, my mind is shifting from climbing the mountains to sliding down them! Do you have any suggestions for ski training?

A: The emphasis for downhill skiing should be on leg and core strength, so your particular focus should be on exercises performed with legs close together, such as squats, lateral hops, hops forward at 45 degrees, jumps, wall sits or slides, and the like. I recommend that people start with a base of 4 weeks of cardiovascular endurance (to provide you with the leg endurance you need for a day of skiing; most people who do a summer activity like running or hiking will already have this base) and then move into strength training more specific to your sport. We discussed several moves in last month's newsletter that are especially pertinent -- visit Ski Preparation to view sliding paused wall squats, 1 1/4 squats, side lunges, and walking lunges.

Wall Slide

Another move we like that challenges one leg at a time is the following variation on the wall slide, pictured left. Lean against a wall with feet about 18-24 inches in front of you and slide down until thighs are parallel to the floor, shins perpendicular. You might find that it helps to position your working leg toward the middle of your body to increase balance. Lift one leg and press back up. Variation two: lower with one leg and lift back up with two. Variation three: hold in position pictured, and alternately lift one leg and then the other as you hold steady for as long as you can. All work the quads.

If your sport of preference is telemark, cross country, or rondonee skiing, your strength exercises will be of the single-limb variety for legs, (see Ski Preparation) including walking lunges with a short stride, forward lunges or dips, maybe even some step-ups or step downs. Check out the Body Results ski pages for more information, or submit your current program to a trainer so we can suggest additions/ alternatives. Happy skiing!

follow
BodyResults

Rate this page       Email this page to a friend      

Hiking   Mountaineering   Climbing   Snow Sports   Paddling   Family   More Training Info   Contact   About Us   Home  
© 2009 Body Results   Legal Disclaimer   Privacy Policy   Updated 09/2009