Slopeside Stamina: How to be less tired on the slopes

Whether you’re planning your first visit ever to Breckenridge Ski Resort or you’ve been coming so long you’re practically a local, the first day of your winter season is an awesome reminder of why we’re all drawn to the mountains to play. The wind in our faces, the sound of our skis and boards slicing through the snow, the thrilling speeds…and what’s that? Oh, hello thigh burn, you old friend! Skiing and Snowboarding are exhilarating activities, but let’s be honest – they’re also physically intense. How can you make sure that your vacation (or your weekend getaway) is epic day after day? By preparing your body in advance and taking care of yourself once you’re here. Mike Hafer, the General Manager of Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Adult Ski and Snowboard School, has some great tips for skiers and snowboarders looking forward to spending quality time on Breck’s expansive terrain this season.

Train for the Slopes

It’s easy to forget when you’re having so much fun, but when you’re skiing and Snowboarding, you’re exercising. Focusing on improving your level of physical fitness 8–10 weeks before your winter vacation is a great way to prepare yourself for multiple days of skiing and Snowboarding. Try a ski/snowboard-specific workout, and incorporate exercises to target your quads, glutes, hamstrings, and core. The more in shape you are before you arrive, the better prepared your body will be once you’re here.

Stay hydrated

The base of Breckenridge Ski Resort is located at 9,600 feet (2,926 meters) above sea level. Up here, the air is drier, the sun is stronger, and there’s less oxygen, which increases breathing rates. Each of these conditions can cause you to become dehydrated much quicker than you would at lower elevations. A few days before you travel, start increasing your fluid intake, and once you’re here, aim to drink at least 12 cups (3 liters) of clear fluids each day.  Don’t forget that both dehydration and symptoms of altitude sickness can be exacerbated by alcohol, so you might want to take it easy with the adult beverages the first few days you’re here.

Listen to Your Body

If you’re visiting Breck for a prolonged vacation, consider taking a day off. Sure, you want to get as much time on the slopes as possible, but you also need to make sure you listen to your body, because skiing and snowboarding when you’re overly tired can be a cause for injury. Plan a day off to relax and enjoy some more fun, low-key activities, like Nordic skiing, going on a sleigh ride, or shopping downtown that Breckenridge has to offer.

Take a Lesson

Whether you’re skiing or snowboarding, an effective stance can go a long way in making you feel less tired at the end of a full day. For example, if you’re skiing with your center of mass behind your feet, you’re working a lot harder than you need to be. Sign up for a lesson and work on developing an effective stance with your Pro. Choose from our variety of programs that best fits your needs and ability to get the best on mountain experience possible.

– Jess Hoover