Newbie wanting fitness advice

Hello!

I am new to this forum (and the art of skiing/boarding) so hopefully I'll get some good advice from you experts.

I'm off to Canada in December with my husband and a friend told me that you need to be fit to go skiing.

Would anyone like to elaborate on this for me? Haha.

Do I need to be hitting the gym for weeks before we go? What level of fitness will get me 'by'?

I wouldn't class myself as fit generally, and I'm perhaps a tad overweight for my height so I imagine it would be better to do something about it before we go rather than hit the slopes and be too tired do anything.

Any advice appreciated!

P.S - I tried to post in the beginners forum but it wouldn't let me for some reason. If anyone could post a list of things I need to buy/take that would be fab!

Muchos gracias!

Well, you don't need to be fit or athletic to ski. You can ski at the level you are comfortable with physically and mentally. Many people do this and have great times. These are probably the people most likely to injure themselves though. Skiing can put stresses on your body beyond those you normally encounter, especially when you fall. You will fall. It is part of the fun. If you are overly concerned about falling over, you will progress slowly.

Being fit will benefit you in many ways. You will learn faster and get to see more of the mountain. You will be much less likely to injure yourself. You will be less affected by altitude. Most importantly you will have more fun.

Aside from just doing some aerobic and weight exercises, it is very helpful to include cross training that involves balance and movement. Sports that involve rotational forces, counter-balancing and occasionally falling are great cross training. More importantly, these sports become as important and fun to you as skiing (well nearly).

Inline skating is perfect training for skiing, but mountain biking, climbing, and other sports would be good. Whatever you choose to do, do it properly. Get instruction (or do research) and protective gear.


Trencher

Be warned that your first day will wear you out, it involves a lot of side stepping up the slope so make sure you get your legs and heart fit!

as for balance and movement, I'd highly recommend ashtanga yoga. although for the core muscles apparently pilates is the one, I've yet to try it myself but might give it a go for next season as well as inline skating and cycling.

good luck :D

Rubbish. As long as you can drink 10 pints and still stand up the next morning, you'll be great :mrgreen:

v1cky24 wrote:
P.S - I tried to post in the beginners forum but it wouldn't let me for some reason. If anyone could post a list of things I need to buy/take that would be fab!

You can find a lot of info in the forum archives.
Use the search function to find previouse discussions on gloves, socks, jackets etc. Also look up boots, as there are a lot of tips on this most important piece of equipment.

Trencher

Just cycle, the fitter you are, the easier you will pick it up! Banff?

Give some serious thought to taking a beginners ski course at an indoor snow centre or dry slope in the UK this summer.
If you have learned the basics before you arrive, then you will see so much more of the resort you're visiting.

For fitness: Wobble Cushions, Core Stability with a Swiss Ball, cycling, hill walking, mountain biking, gym membership if you need structure to your preparation.
Start now :D

Tony_H wrote:Rubbish. As long as you can drink 10 pints and still stand up the next morning, you'll be great :mrgreen:

*high fives*
I found it helpful to do alot of bike riding. Fitness is in the mind of the beholder.

Oh just a side note. Spending as much time on the slopes as I did this year totally improved my balance on crutches