Today, we are diving into some of the most frequently asked questions I get about ski fitness. These are topics I hear often from clients in my eight-week pre-ski season fitness program and from Instagram messages.
By the way, if you’ve been keeping up with us on Instagram, you might have seen some updates about our exciting gym renovation! The new space will be bigger, better, and perfectly suited for filming improved exercise demos and follow-along mobility routines. I can’t wait to share it all with you soon!
Question One: When Should I Work On Mobility?
You need to be warm before focusing on mobility. In our eight-week ski program, we include mobility work at the end of strength sessions because of this. You can also do a warm-up first and then concentrate on mobility exercises.
Mobility is about building strength through a range of motion around your joints. Whether you're improving your squat position or increasing ankle flexibility after a day in ski boots, being warm first is essential.
Question 2: How Do I Connect Exercises to Actual Skiing?
Exercises in the gym are designed to build the muscles you need for skiing or to train similar movements. However, they don’t have to mimic skiing exactly.
For example, femur or straight-leg rotations help with hip mobility and turn initiation. Rear-foot elevated split squats train your legs to perform different tasks simultaneously, similar to how your legs work during a ski turn. While these movements may not look like skiing, they still prepare your body for the slopes effectively.
Question 3: What’s The Best Way To Prepare For Better Endurance?
Endurance can mean different things to different people, but if your goal is to feel less fatigued by the end of a run, there are two key areas to focus on.
There are two areas where endurance can be built for skiing. First, we can improve endurance by building heart and lung capacity, allowing more oxygen to reach our muscles. The second is training our muscles to work more efficiently.
In our eight-week ski program, we start with strength and power exercises, then transition to higher-rep, lower-rest workouts to improve endurance. This progression ensures you're ready for longer, more demanding ski days.
Question 4: Strength Or Cardio First?
It depends on your priorities. If you’re training for a ski race, prioritize cardio. If you’re preparing for big mountain skiing, prioritize strength.
Doing cardio first gives you about a 10% benefit in that area. However, it is minor compared to the importance of consistency.
Fit your strength and cardio sessions into your schedule first, and only then refine the order (if you can). However, committing to regular training is far more impactful than getting the order “right”.
Question 5: What Equipment Do You Ski On?
To be honest, I’m the type of person who often forgets what skis I’m using! Different skis are better for different conditions, and I enjoy experimenting with various options.
This winter, I’ll be on a pair of Zero GS skis. If you have recommendations for the best all-mountain ski, I’d love to hear them!
Question 6: What’s The Most Overlooked Area Of Ski Training
My answer: your feet and ankles.
Many people assume that being in ski boots means foot and ankle strength doesn’t matter. However, stiff ankles or weak feet can make balancing harder and require larger movements to respond to terrain changes.
Improving your foot and ankle mobility, as well as strengthening them, can make a significant difference. I have a video on foot mobility below—it’s a great place to start!
Question 7: What Are You Most Excited About This Season?
I’ve heard it’s going to be a cold, snowy winter, and I couldn’t be more excited.
This year, three telemark skiers in our program inspired me to try telemark skiing myself! My dad introduced me to ski touring when I was 15, using old telemark skis and leather boots. It was humbling, to say the least. Now, years later, I’m ready to give it another shot and see what all the hype is about.
I hope these answers have given you clarity for your ski fitness journey! Whether you're working on mobility, building strength, or improving endurance, remember that consistency is key. Skiing is all about having fun and feeling confident on the slopes, and a solid fitness foundation can make a huge difference.
If you have more questions or want personalized guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to help. Here’s to a strong, adventurous ski season ahead!
Have a WILDR week!
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