Looking for a fun way to stay fit this winter?
Skiing is one of the best activities for both your physical AND mental health. Many people only think about skiing during vacations, but it’s a great workout you can enjoy year-round.
…and did we mention how fun it is to ski?!
Think fresh air. Vitamin D. Cardio that doesn’t feel like a chore.
Triple threat.
What You’ll Learn
- Skiing Improves Physical Health
- Skiing Burns Calories (Quickly)
- Skiing Enhances Mental Health
- Starting Off on the Right Foot
Skiing Improves Physical Health
Heading to the slopes works out your whole body.
Your legs, core, glutes – you name it. Most muscle groups are used while skiing and continually shifting your weight works parts of the body that typical workouts don’t reach.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE…
Skiing was found to have a significant positive effect on balance, aerobic fitness, strength and power. A study through the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine on healthy adults ages 60-76 showed that 12 weeks of skiing profoundly impacts health.
All ages and skill levels can benefit from skiing. Beginners will see improvements to their health just by getting out there and having fun. It’s a great workout for young children and elderly grandparents.
With an estimated 400 million skier visits happening annually at resorts globally, skiing is a popular way to keep healthy. Luckily, finding deals on skis from reputable sources is easy.
Here are some of the physical benefits of skiing:
- Burns Calories & Increases Cardiovascular Endurance
- Builds Leg Muscle & Strength
- Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
Skiing helps regulate blood sugar by burning glucose as energy to fuel your muscles. If you’re looking for a workout that targets every area, look no further than your local slopes.
Skiing Burns Calories (Quickly)
Maybe you’re looking for a workout that’ll torch calories.
Look no further. Skiing burns a lot of calories. Experts agree that the average person will burn between 300-600 calories per hour skiing downhill. Factors like terrain difficulty and cold weather can impact that number.
Breaking it down:
You can burn 1,500-2,000 calories in a moderate day on the slopes. That’s more than what most people burn working at a desk all day!
Your body burns extra calories in cold weather trying to keep your core body temperature up. Add that to the physical aspect of skiing and you’ve got yourself a winning wellness routine.
Cross-country skiing can rack up those calories even more. Competitive skiers can burn upwards of 1,300 calories per hour! Regular folks still burn around 600 calories per hour skiing at a moderate pace.
Here are the primary factors that affect how many calories you burn skiing:
- Bodyweight
- Skiing terrain
- Intensity and duration of your skiing
- Higher altitudes and colder temperatures
But here’s the best part. Skiing doesn’t feel like a workout. You’re running down a mountain having the time of your life! Before you know it, you’ve been skiing for hours without the mental exhaustion that comes from “working out.”
Skiing Enhances Mental Health
Here’s a fun fact you may not know…
Skiing actually does wonders for your mental health. Any outdoor activity is great for relieving stress, but the fresh air and sunshine that come with skiing are amazing for your mental wellness.
Research published through the Journal of Exercise and Rehabilitation discovered that skiing can help to reduce stress levels. It requires you to focus on the task at hand. There’s no room for distracting thoughts when you’re barreling down the mountain.
Listen up:
Winter doesn’t always make it easy to get out and be active. Cabin fever and cold weather keep people indoors where they’re more susceptible to seasonal depression. Destressing on the slopes helps you fight off the winter blues.
Higher altitudes = more sunny days. There will be more days where you can soak up that vitamin D on the mountain than at home. Your mood and immune system will thank you.
Did you know some of the mental benefits of skiing include:
- Lower stress levels
- Better sleep
- Increased confidence
- Feel more productive
You also spend quality time with the ones you love. Bonding with family and friends on the slopes keeps you connected and socially healthy. Those Uber conversations on the chairlift are prime therapy session material.
Growing your skills sends your mind and body a message that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Your improvement on the mountain will translate to your self-esteem off the mountain.
Starting Off on the Right Foot
Think you can’t afford to ski?
Think again. Like any sport or hobby, there is some equipment you need to get started. But you don’t need to break the bank either.
Here are some tips:
Many ski resorts offer rental packages for beginners. These packages typically include everything you need to get on the slopes. Renting equipment is also a great way to test out skiing before buying your own gear.
Look into purchasing season passes instead of daily lift tickets. Some ski resorts allow you to pay for your season pass monthly. Splitting the costs makes it more comfortable to budget for regular skiing trips.
- Search for ski discounts before you buy
- Buy used gear if it’s your first time skiing
- Find packages that include both a lesson and rental
- Visit local mountains instead of vacation spots
- Save money by skiing during the week
Taking lessons will help you avoid learning bad habits that are hard to correct as you get better. Look for group lessons to keep costs down.
Not only will you feel and look better, but think of all the money you save after purchasing your own ski equipment. Gym memberships are expensive. So are ski resorts.
When you factor in all of the benefits skiing has to offer your mental health, we’d say skiing wins.
Wrapping Things Up
Make sure to take everything into consideration before writing skiing off as just another fun hobby.
You burn 300-600 calories per hour just like at the gym. But skiing also improves your cardiovascular health, strengthens your muscles and helps you unwind all at the same time.
Take away this:
Skiing is a full body workout that helps you improve balance, strength and overall endurance.
It has the potential to burn just as many calories as other workouts.
Not only will you benefit physically by skiing, but your mental health will improve as well!
Whether you hit the local bunny hill or take a vacation to the big mountains, try incorporating skiing into your wellness routine this winter. You’ll be happy you did.
Grab some rental gear. Take a lesson or two. You’ll learn as you go and the mountain will do the rest of the work for you!
Winter workouts have never been this enjoyable.