10 Exercises To Boost Your Fitness For The Slopes

1.     Jump Squats

Jump squats are going to assist in training your legs up to quickly adapt and recover from rapid changes in terrain such as sudden raises or drop-offs. For the more advanced skiers and boarders, they'll give you the tools to take control of your take offs and landings during terrain park jumps.

2.     Box Jumps 

This is a great one for explosive power in the legs, particularly for snow boarders. The Australian ski slopes aren't always sloped, meaning there are moments when a traverse is a series of bunny hops linked together. Find a box (or bench) and practice jumping up from the floor.

3.     Calf Raises

Calf strength is especially important for turning on the snow. Snow boarders in particular rely on changing from "heel edge", to "toe edge" on their board as they carve their way down a hill. Practicing this specific movement will give your calfs the endurance needed to handle longer runs. 

4.     Pistol squats

Otherwise knows as a single leg squat, pistol squats are not only great for building strength, but they improve balance and stability. This is a hard movement, so start assisted by holding onto a bar or band to begin with. This is a great one for skiers, who's legs aren't attached to the one piece of equipment at even levels. 

5.     Russian Twists

Targeting the torso, this rotational movement helps build strength in the abdominals, transverse abdominals (obliques), and lower back, which are all used constantly when moving down hill, in the terrain park, and through back country.

6.     Tricep Dips

This might seem out of place, but being able to get up off the ground is just as important as staying up, and a fall is bound to happen if you're trying hard enough. This motion will help build arm endurance and strength, making it easier for you to get back on your feet, and can even be useful when getting off a fast moving chairlift.

7.     Deadlifts

Deadlifts are a great movement for engaging important muscle groups, most notable the posterior chain (muscles running down your back and legs). If you do only one exercise on this list, this is the one to do. Work with a coach on perfecting the technique on this lift, as when it's done properly, it will target all the muscle groups needed on the slopes, and beyond.

8.     Agility Cones

This is a great movement to practice in many sports, but great for skiers and snow boarders due to its ability to build endurance and coordination throughout the leg. It's also a banger for creating stability in the knee joint. This may feel silly to start with (as it's basically exercise twister), but start off with two legs and build to using one leg at a time.

9.     Push Ups

This is another movement that may seem out of place in a snow fit workout, but you'll be thanking us when you have the strength and ability to bounce right back up after a fall (or "adjusting your boots" if that's what you want to call it). 

10.  Burpee Box Jumps

The burpee box jump brings it all together, and can be used as a specific training movement that targets most of the large muscle groups you'll activate on your snow trip. Starting with your fall and get up (the burpee) and including the explosive power movement through your legs (the boxjump). This exercise will induce fatigue when done quickly, but will increase your endurance and resilience on the slopes.

Model wears Superdry Ski Command Utility Down Jacket, Snow Pants, and Emu Boots.