Free delivery on orders over £805 Summer Activities to Prepare You for the Ski Season
Following a couple of pandemic hit years, it’s possible that you haven’t spent any time on skis since 2019, or perhaps even longer ago. Fortunately, it’s looking like most of us should be able to get back on the slopes this winter, but with such a long time away from snow, you might be wondering what you can do to get prepared for the season ahead.
Whilst not always immediately obvious during mid-summer, there are in fact a huge amount of activities you can do that will benefit your skiing, helping to get your body ready for the slopes. Come winter, not only will you be grateful for an active summer, but importantly all of these activities are a really fun and enjoyable way of spending your time outdoors during the warmer months.
Trail Running
Running is without a doubt one of the most popular ways to stay in shape. It’s a great cardio workout that’ll prepare you for day after day on the slopes and it’s also great for strengthening your key leg muscles. Whilst road running is good, trail running takes the strengthening benefits to the next level. Through undulating terrain and constant stabilising, you’ll develop strong knees, ankles and flexibility whilst building your leg strength and cardio, all of which will help you come ski time.
Whilst all skiers will benefit from running, anyone looking to get into ski touring or mountaineering will see big gains in their performance if they build their running strength through the summer months.
Paddleboarding
Having taken the UK by storm in recent years, paddleboarding is firmly establishing itself as the sport of the summer. Not only is it a lot of fun, but it also brings a whole host of mental and physical benefits. Addictive and gentle on your body, it’s easy to paddleboard for hours on end, working your stability, balance and core muscles, all of which will help your skiing.
If you want to push things a little further, then surfing with your paddleboard makes for an even greater strength and balance workout. It acts as a great upper/lower body separation training for the demands of steep skiing.
Cycling
Cycling is another great way to get your cardio in shape and build leg strength. Working your calves, hamstrings, quads and importantly glutes, the strength benefits from cycling will make a huge difference to your winter skiing. Not only will your newly found strong legs thank you, but the endurance built up from hours spent in the saddle will ensure you can maximise your time away and recover quickly between each day on the slope.
Road cycling and mountain biking are both great options, however, if you fancy something a little more adventurous, consider delving into the world of bikepacking. Find some route inspiration with our pick of seven of the best bikepacking routes in the UK.
Backpacking
Another option for those looking for adventure, backpacking is a great way to immerse yourself deep into nature whilst also building your endurance and strength. Not only will you be able to explore new areas, but covering lots of miles with plenty of hours on your feet all makes great preparation for skiing. Not to forget that carrying your pack of gear will help build your leg strength ready for the slopes.
Indoor Skiing
Nothing beats training for skiing than actually getting on the slopes. Whilst you’ll struggle to find any hint of ski worthy snow during the summer months in the UK, our country is packed with indoor snow centres that offer prime conditions year-round. Whilst the runs are usually a couple of hundred metres rather than a couple of kilometres, they still offer a great opportunity to work on your technique and specific ski muscles.
