In a couple of weeks a group of friends and I are skiing in Lake Tahoe for my brothers bachelor party. While I love to hit the slopes and wish I could more often, my schedule only allows me to go 1-2x per year. Since my body isn’t accustomed to the high demands of this physical activity, I’m usually sore all over.

Chances are you are in pretty good shape, you exercise your muscles, mobilize your joints, and generally use your body for a wide variety of activities. Skiing/snowboarding has a high level of exertion which requires new movement patterns that place excessive stress on the body. Being sore sucks and can hinder performance and make day 2, 3, or 4 less enjoyable. This sport can also be very dangerous, if your body isn’t properly prepared injury can occur…ain’t nobody got time for that!!!

I put together a quick video to add to your current workout program. Give it a shot 3 days per week beginning at least 1 month before your trip to the mountain. You will begin with a warm-up, move to a circuit of strength exercises and cool down with a mobility/flexibility routine. It is difficult to simulate skiing at home, but we work on some movements that may help you get to the bottom of the hill faster than your crew. This program will focus on:

Plyometrics
Core stabilization
Rotational strength
Hip and spine mobility
Full Body Strengthening

On the day of skiing, prior to your Milk Run {first morning run} perform the warm-up before your gear-up and head to the lifts. This will prep your body for some moguls and slalom races. At the end of the day grab a hot chocolate or a beer and do a couple cycles of the cool down to stretch those weary hips.

Have fun, and always remember to be safe out there!!

~Take Care!!