Stuck Inside? Utilize These Tips To Train Before Our Summer Ski Camp

Summer is almost here, and if you’re like most people, then you’re ready to get out and live your life. It can prove very challenging to stay isolated at home, especially if you are accustomed to training and getting ready for the slopes this upcoming season. Now may be the perfect time for you to train your body and be better ready to strap on your skis and pick up exactly where you left off last season.

PV Alpine offers summer ski camps at Mount Hood to provide skiers with the chance to improve their skills with professional feedback and one-on-one coaching. We’re sitting tight and waiting for things to get better, and once that happens, we’ll be ready to get back to work!

Plan Ahead

Most experts will tell you to prepare for your ski season approximately six weeks before the start date. Many skiers plan on starting their routine just before opening day, while others start in the spring to prepare for summer ski camps. No matter your plans this season, be sure to include some time in your daily schedule to get your training in, including exercises, weight training, cardio workouts, and more.

Keep in mind that you’ll receive just as much as you put in. Putting in minimal time each week will yield minimal results, whereas carving out an hour each day to focus on your body will likely create major benefits. We’re all busy, but if you’re trying to get to the next level in downhill skiing, we recommend planning ahead and scheduling your free time accordingly!

Combine Strength and Cardio

It is important to cross-train your body to be better able to adapt to the challenges of the slope. Training specific muscle groups to help improve your speed and control should be a big part of your training routine at this point! Whether you plan on taking ski conditioning classes or you plan on doing your own conditioning, it’s important to focus on muscle strength. Your abdominal muscles are tasked with stabilizing the body as you turn and carve, your gluteus maximus is important in supporting leg movement, and your hamstrings and quadriceps for flexing the hips and knees into position. All of these muscles work in tandem to provide precise control where you want it most, which can mean the difference between victory and disaster on your next slalom run!

How you improve your cardiovascular endurance is up to you! We see a lot of young skiers who take on school-related sports, while others create a regimen of swimming, or running, or cycling, or a combination. No matter what you prefer, be sure to include between 30 and 60 minutes of quality cardio!

Create a Schedule

While everyone’s body responds differently to different activities and schedules, it’s important to stick to the basics to strengthen your core, balance, and cardio. Many experts stick to a blended weekly schedule to maximize their cardiovascular fitness while also improving the muscle groups needed for ski racing. You can create a weekly schedule consisting of leg day, then cardio, then core and upper body, more cardio, back to legs and core, then more cardio, followed by a day of rest. How you compile your routine is up to you, just be sure to spread out the effort! A couple of basic exercises to incorporate into your routine can involve:

• Squats (two sets of 12)
• Box jumps (25 jumps)
• One leg deadlifts (15 reps per leg)

Eat Accordingly

Part of improving as an athlete includes the nutrition aspect, as we are only as powerful as the foods that we eat. It’s important to include a dietary effort in addition to your physical activity. Our summer ski camp at Mount Hood focuses on proper nutrition to help young athletes perform at their best, focusing on healthy fats, proteins, and carbs to deliver energy when it is needed most without bogging you down. If you’re worried about your weight, minor changes right now can result in considerable results once the season begins. Simply substitute some of your more unhealthy snacks and junk foods for more nutritious supplements, and you’ll begin to notice the improvements!

Sign Up for Our Ski Camps

While being isolated at home can feel like forever, before you know it, things will be back to normal and your competition will be back on the slopes focusing on improvement. PV Alpine relies on some of the best ski coaches around, including Ryan Shorter, Alex Shorter, Adam Chardbourne, and more!

We proudly host our week-long summer skiing classes at Mount Hood, Oregon and our fall ski camp in Vail, Colorado. We’ll be keeping an eye on the situation to determine if we will be allowed to host our ski lessons. At these ski camps, you’ll benefit from expert instruction and real-time feedback from renowned coaches, equipping you to reach the next level. Sign up for our camps to reserve your spot, or contact us online if you have any questions. We look forward to working with you!