In Ski Shape?

In Ski Shape?

By Erik Skarvan

Are YOU ready for the first big powder day of the season? My best buddy Johnny, who’s a weatherman in Salt Lake City, is calling one to two feet for Aspen this week! Skiing—in particular, powder days—is one of the main reasons many of us live here. The sensations of flotation and freedom are unmatched, the rush is as real as it gets….perhaps even surreal at times when it’s epically good.

But if you’re not physically ready, a pow day can be one big tease.

Now that we’re into our ski season, we should be acquiring more skiing-specific fitness by the day. Skiing gets you fit for skiing. If you didn’t do your preseason fitness regime, it’s too late now. But you can accelerate the skiing-yourself-into-shape process by following a few basic suggestions. As I make a living in health and fitness and enter my 28th ski season in Aspen, I’d like to share some of my top secrets to a successful ski season.

For starters, you can heighten the on-slope workout by skiing easier-than-usual runs lap after lap with minimal breaks. Focus on proper technique such as carving instead of skidding, looking farther ahead and keeping your hands out in front of you. Believe it or not, smiling will help you relax and ski better. You’ll build anaerobic fitness, overall endurance and skills simultaneously. There’s nothing like skiing to help in your skiing!

Off-slope, yoga has been a HUGE benefit for me over the past nine years. In terms of athletics, I call yoga the “glue that holds it all together” The primary benefits are much improved, Gumby-like flexibility, core and leg strength and mental focus and balance. Practicing one to three days per week will really help you quickly improve performance and avoid injury on the slopes. I prefer hot yoga, because warm muscles perform more efficiently and I get a big sweaty “detox” at the same time. Find a style of yoga that’s enjoyable and productive for you and your goals and stick to it.

Get some TP before you go skiing. No, not that kind of TP! Transverse plane movement is a twisting, turning movement provided by cross training activities like ice skating, skate skiing or various indoor exercises, like creative twisting moves with a medicine ball. I always favor the outdoor options, as I really get off on being out in the mountains;” the great outdoor gym” whenever possible. If you’re more the health club type, ask a certified personal trainer about their favorite “TP,” or transverse plane, exercises, which will help you in the specific movements alpine skiing and snowboarding require.

It’s always most beneficial to train, using the specific movements and recognizing the special demands that the sport requires. Be creative, smart and consistent; using some of these ideas along with your own, to quickly get a leg (or legs) up on the beginning of your ski season.