Highly Suggested Workouts Prior to Ski Vacations

Ski vacations are fun getaways for all ages. After all, ski resorts do not only cater to its singular namesake recreation. But for people who wish to pursue skiing itself, it is more prudent to make some serious preparations. Such an exhilarating sport has become a culprit to a number of fatalities caused by reckless gliding and substandard fitness.

Therefore, proper physical conditioning is required in order to have a safe vertical drift. Here are five gym exercises you needed in order to acquiesce your body to the mechanics of skiing:

Romanian Deadlift

This type of workout aims to build up the hamstrings to prevent ligament trauma around the knees. While standing erect, keep your knees slightly bent and feet a shoulder's span apart. Move your hips backward as you lower the barbell down to the knee level. Then lift the barbell up by pushing your hips forward, using your arms and shoulders as a fulcrum in order to return to a full standing position. While repeating this process, always remember to keep your back straight to perform proper execution. This exercise helps maintain the proper bent skiing position throughout the entire descent.

Single Leg Eccentric Press

This type of leg press aims to strengthen the legs, especially around the knees and the calves. Unlike other leg presses, this exercise has certain modifications. You need to lower the plates with one leg weighing more than half of the normal weight a two-legged lift can push with ease. After a momentary tension, push the plates up with both legs. This exercise roughly simulates the singular leg pressure one experiences when attempting to swerve while gliding down the treacherous slopes of any ski vacation destinations.

Medicine Ball Pump Squat

In addition to the endurance acquired from Romanian Deadlift, this exercise aims to develop endurance on the buttocks, quads (front of the hamstrings) and lower back. This exercise entails embracing a heavy medicine ball while doing low repetitive squats.

Squat Jump

Squat jumps differ from medicine ball pump squat in many ways. There are no weights involved when doing this exercise, save for one's own against gravity. Squat as low as possible, and then push yourself up to a high jump. This type of exercise allows one to develop endurance on the same lower extremities. This is to prevent injury right after an explosive muscle tension from attempting sudden skiing leaps.

Reverse Treadmill Walk

Complete reinforcement of the leg muscles and buttocks is possible by walking the treadmill backwards. You can start with a forward walk in order to establish balance and momentum before turning around and doing the backward walk. Elevate the incline after every specific interval. Dropping to a squat position while doing this reverse walk imitates the tuck position of skiing.
It pays to be able to endure these exercises for one to be confident enough to cope with the hazards of proactive ski vacations.

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How to Dress Up for Ski Trips

Fashionable and proper layering of ski vacation apparel takes time and conscious effort. It also requires a lot of preparation. Why not? The stakes of gearing up poorly are undeniably high when one treks the icy mountains. Skiers and non-skiing guests who dress inappropriately at ski resorts could either overheat or suffer from hypothermia which could land you in serious trouble.

Consider these tips if you plan to go on ski trip:

Choose function instead of fashion. Be careful not to get easily attracted to ski apparels with bright colors, cool patterns and casual styles that look instagram-ready. Take note that some of these can be really fashionable but are less functional when it worn on snowfields. Always remember that the layers you wear on your ski trip must keep you warm, dry and comfortable even in potentially risky situations. If possible, choose ski outfits with features like pull-down thumb loops, lightweight hoods, and reflective trims. Make sure your base layer is a snug-fit ---not loose in such a way that freezing air can easily penetrate your skin and not too tight that you can barely move. Steer clear from using zippered base and middle layer clothes to prevent zipper pile-up around your chin. In addition, be careful also with your choices of ski shoes. Make sure you use footwear that’s waterproof, well-insulated, and with an outsole that’s specially designed to stay grippy in extremely low temperatures.

Make sure you have enough layers. Not wearing or bringing enough proper layering is a big NO when it comes to trekking icy slopes. In all sense, it is essential that your getup includes base, mid, and outer layer. The base is technically your next-to-skin layer and should be guaranteed to help regulate body temperature. It has to be moisture-wicking, lightweight, long-sleeved and definitely not made of cotton. The mid layer must be able to help retain heat within the body, should be lightweight and insulated. The outer layer has to be made from synthetic insulated material to keep you warm even when it is already wet. In addition, an outer layer should also be water-resistant so it can hold off light rain and snow. Examples of ideal outer layer include the popular Gore-Tex jacket called Black Diamond’s Liquid Point Rain Jacket.

Overheating because of the layers of clothes you have is nothing out of the ordinary. This is more common when guests at ski vacation destinations start to ski and run on the slopes at a time when it’s already too hot. Ideally, it’s best to start enjoying your favorite snow sports when it’s still chilly. This way you can still put on layers and accessories that you can easily adjust on the fly.

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Anticipated Winter Events at Popular Ski Areas

Come one, come all! Grab your winter gear and be off for amazing adventures at any of the world’s most popular ski areas to enjoy your favorite sport. It does not really matter whether you are already a seasoned skier or a newbie snow sports enthusiast; these activities are guaranteed to give you a holiday break you’d wish not to end and to encounter again.

The Hahnenkamm – More than anything else, this event that is going to take place in Kitzbuhel, Austria on January 22-25, 2016 is dubbed as the most important alpine skiing race. Given that thought, anticipate personal encounters with the best skiers and snowboarders from different parts of the world. Catch the stars of snow sport arenas as they show off their skills and power and have your cameras ready to capture their eye-catching moves. Or when you’re lucky, maybe you can even get up close to them.

For the uninitiated, the Hahnenkamm is known to feature both the party and prestige of the Kentucky Derby and the speed and danger of the Indianapolis 500. In all sense, it is a competition that draws even Olympic gold medalists because, as all-time aline skiing great Franz Klammer puts it, “you can never be a hero in snow sports without winning the Hahnenkamm”. Featured on this event are super G, slalom, and that fearsome downhill followed by massive parties on the streets and pubs.

X-Games – If you are looking for a free-for-all winter event, your choice would have to X-Games scheduled on January 22-25 next year at Aspen, Colorado. Like that Kitzbuhel affair occurring on the same dates, this Aspen ski area affair is expected to attract scores of skiers and snowboarders looking to hit the Big Air, Slopestyle, and Superpipe venues down Buttermilk Mountains. For entertainment, skiing and non-skiing guests will enjoy performances of national artists in at least three separate outdoor concerts. Downtown streets are also expected to host parties.

Scufoneda – If you happen to be in Moena, Italy on March 11-15, 2016, don’t miss this 19 year old telemark festival aptly called Scufoneda. It’s a backcountry skiing tour in couloirs region and and is referred to as the best international winter revelry in the Dolomites – no wonder it is flocked by many skiers and snowboarders. On this event, skiers get to rule any of the 1,200 ski runs and guests have access to at least 450 lifts of the Dolomiti Superski pass. Nights at this ski vacation destination in Europe are capped with booze-filled parties and heart-pumping dances. Spearheading this event is the famous backcountry ski club called Italian Scufons.

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The Five Freestyle Skiing Tricks

Truth be told, fun in ski vacation destination is only possible when snow sport enthusiasts know safe skiing techniques. Knowing these techniques allow vacationers at ski areas to get more out of their escapades. It helps one to navigate the slopes faster and with more freedom. This way, skiers and snowboarders get to discover not just a particular section of the ski area.

First on the list of five freestyle skiing tricks is called 360 – an aerial maneuver characterized by executing a full 360 degree turn in midair before making a smooth landing. To do this, upon takeoff, a skier must move his head and shoulder to the direction of the turn. Then he’d grab the tail of his ski and pull it into a spin before eventually landing on the ground.

A split done midair is called a Daffy – a popular trick where a skier heads to the lip of a jump and once in midair, splits. He would eventually return his legs to original position before landing. When doing daffy, skiers have to make sure they jump high above the ground to make sure the ski boards don’t touch the snow once they split. It is also necessary that skiers have already mastered the art of ski jumping.

Another trick involves grabbing the tail of a ski board while still midair and is called Tail Grab. For this skiing technique, skiers take off at a moderate speed, reach the lip of the jump, and jump into midair. Then skier would eventually cross the skis and grab the tail of the left ski with the right hand. Afterwards, skier returns his leg to original position for a safe landing.

Backscratcher is a technique where a skier moves his ski behind until its tails are in close proximity to the skier’s back. To do this, take off at a moderate speed and bend your knees as soon as you reach the lip of the jump. Position your skis to the side. Once midair, bend your knees further then stretch out your hand and skis behind you so that the tail of your board is close to your body. Lean backward for a backscratcher position, straighten your legs, and then bend your knees once more for safe landing.

The fifth most popular freestyle skiing trick is called Iron Cross – a style wherein snow sport enthusiasts cross their skis as soon as they reach midair. Similar to Daffy, skiers who do Iron Cross have to make sure they jump high enough so that the skis don’t get caught in the snow once they do the cross midair.

If you’re planning to spend a few days any of the ski areas within and outside the country, take time off to learn any of these freestyle skiing tricks and have more fun on the slopes.

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Stay Hydrated When Training For Ski Trips

Intense trainings such as those conducted in preparation for upcoming ski trips can either make or break you. When done the right way, such training end up with productive results; otherwise, little problems that can actually blow into huge health concerns may ensue. For instance, a huge amount of electrolytes is lost each time a person trains vigorously through sweat; hence the need for proper hydration. Unfortunately, lost electrolytes are not easily replaced by simply drinking copious amount of water. To illustrate, leg cramps that are common among skiers and snowboarders cannot be treated completely by simply drinking lots of water. Not to mention, excessive water consumption may also increase risk of intestinal problems.

This is where proper hydration comes in. Hydration technically refers to the body’s ability to manage water as well as the process through which water is added to other compounds/nutrients in the body up to the time these new compounds are distributed to different cells in the body. Without hydration, cells, tissues and organs in the body slow down and eventually deteriorate – hampering the body’s ability to survive. Hydration also aids in maintaining body temperature, removing bodily wastes, and lubricating joints. In all sense, hydration is a process that is needed for good health.

Persons training for competitive sports as well as energy-sapping activities on ski vacation destinations like skiing and snowboarding tend to have less ability to cool down because of heat. This is the reason why we often see athletes pouring water above the head or players tucking ice cubes on top of their jerseys when training. Most players would also consume energy drinks containing electrolytes in order to stand a few more hours of the training program.

Make sure you stay properly hydrated when preparing for an upcoming series of rigorous events like snow sports by considering these general guidelines:

• Consume at least 500ml of clean, safe drinking water for each hour you spent training.

• Drink slowly to allow better absorption of fluid, especially when drinking electrolytes.

• Be careful not to forget hydration while doing your workout. Take note that the body tends to absorb less when the body is tired and exhausted.

• Enjoy potassium and protein-rich foods after your training.

More than anything else, it’s best to just have fun and stay safe while you train for a planned ski vacations. So stay hydrated all throughout – while training, when you’re already at a chosen ski are, and right thereafter.

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10 Unusual Skiing and Snowboarding Destinations

Are you an avid snow sports fan who’s looking for out-of-the-ordinary ski vacation destinations? Here are 10 remote ski tracks that offer unique winter sports experience:

1. Japan. Nestled on the island of Hokkaido is Japan’s Mount Yotei which is known for pristine powder and remarkable runs. This place is perfect for enthusiasts searching for a picturesque skiing experience. Mount Yotei is also located next to the popular Niseko ski resort which boasts of a number of slopes for both beginners and professional skiers.

2. Cyprus. Who would have thought that a perfect sunny beach getaway also offers a lot of options for ski holidays? Well, Mount Olympus which is also the home to Troodos Ski Resort gets covered in a thin layer of snow during cold seasons making it an ideal spot for morning ski adventures.

3. Marrakech, Africa. Marrakech is not just a combination of puzzling streets of the Souk, alleys oozing with urban fabric in the Medina, smoking food stalls at the Jemma el-Fna square, and the dessert. It is located 45 miles south of Marrakech is Oakaimeden Ski Resort, the highest ski area in Africa and is sitting at 2600m above sea level. This resort features not only ski runs for all levels but also the highest ski lift in Africa. It is also equipped with all the facilities in typical European resorts – ski hire, ski school and clinics, restaurants, and hotels, albeit in Moroccan way.

4. Greece. There’s more to Greece than its iconic islands with small white houses set against a backdrop of blue sea and sky. If you’re in for fantastic ski vacation packages, set foot and have an adventure on its snow-covered mountain tops to experience a different sense of intensity and adrenaline rush. Must-see ski vacation destinations in this country include Mount Parnassus, Velouchi, Giona, and Oiti Vardousia.

5. Lesotho. There’s something beyond lions and safaris in Africa: skiing! Nestled 3050m above sea level is Afri-Ski, a charming resort that is also referred to as the “Roof of Africa”. Guests at this resort are guaranteed not only thrilling ski experience but also an incredible sweeping African landscape.

6. Montenegro. It may be more popular for its captivating coastline in the Adriatic Sea but Montenegro was also dubbed by Time Magazine as “The best kept secret of skiing in Europe”. It is home to Durmitor range that is at least 2500m from sea level and featuring Savin kuk, Štuoc and Javorovača as its best slopes.

7. Canada. Le Massif, one of the most unusual ski resorts with its topsy-turvy runs, is the highest vertical east of the Canadian Rockies. This resort is owned and operated by an ex-Cirque du Soleil president.

8. Hawaii. Aside from its world-renowned surfing spots, Hawaii is also popular for its Mauna Kea where visitors can enjoy a vast array of winter sports. Guests at this area can also tour world class observatories located at its summit.

9. New England. Tucked behind Middlebury College is Middlebury College Snow Bowl that offers three chairlifts, a carpet lift, and several areas for skiing. This resort is home for skiers and college racers.

10. Norway. If you’re in for advanced ski areas, head on to one of the oldest winter sports destinations in Norway called Lillehammer and set out for alpine and cross-country skiing. This resort is home to impressive alpine centers, long stretch of backcountry trails, and a multitude of winter activities. Ski trips to Norway will always be worth it!

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The Three Types Of Snow Boards

Ski trips are just about any ordinary getaway if vacationers do not engage in snow sport activities such as skiing and snowboarding; hence practically all ski vacation packages feature these two activities and many other sports like snow shoeing and cross-country skiing. All these sports generally require snowboards that vacationers can either buy or rent and use while on holiday trips at their chosen ski area.

There are generally three types of snow boards to choose from.

Freestyle Board – Features curved tips and tail. These snowboards are shorter, lighter, and more flexible than the two other types of boards. Skiers and snowboarders find freestyle boards easier to control and are therefore ideal for beginner skiers as well as novices. For the record, most snowboards offered at rental shops on ski vacation destinations are actually freestyle boards fitted with step-in bindings that require soft boots. Advanced skiers and snowboarders also use freestyle boards for jumps, half pipes and tricks.

Alpine Board – This type of board is also referred to as racing board. Its features include curved tip and flatter tail. These are usually stiff and not flexible as these are designed for high speed carving turns. Alpine boards require plate bindings and hard boots and are marketed to advanced riders who can handle both fresh powder and groomed surface areas of the ski resort.

Freeride Board – This type of board features the characteristics of both freestyle and alpine boards and is basically referred to as an all-purpose board. Like freestyle, it is easier to turn but is also guaranteed capable of high speed turns. Being an all-purpose type, it can be used by skiers and snowboarders of all ski levels. Freerides are ideal for beginners who prefer hard boots with plate or step-in bindings.

When choosing a snowboard, consider three things: skiing ability, your ski type, and the ski length. Skiing ability can be categorized into three: recreational, advanced, and expert. Technically speaking, first time skiers as well as those on ski vacations who have yet to master snowplough on gentle nursery slopes are considered recreational skiers. Recreational skiers also include those who have graduated from nursery slopes and have tried skiing on easy Blue runs but have found it a great challenge. Advanced skiers are those who have mastered Blue runs and can now go through many more of the groomed runs and even steeper slopes. Experts are top level skiers who have the ability to ski on and off piste.

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How To Have More Enjoyable Ski Vacations With The Family

A ski vacation with the family is something most people look forward to. Why not? The word vacation alone conjures up images of fun times with members of the family. Holidays, however, can be stressful and having a memorable getaway requires a lot of hard work and preparation. As a matter of fact, some mothers tend to feel that vacations with the family isn’t actually vacation but more like work and play with the kids.

Fortunately, there are ways that help make every family getaway more enjoyable for every household member.

Do not rush things. According to researches, rushing only tends to cause stress and stress can possibly ruin vacations. With that in mind, make sure you take your time. Avoid hurrying things or you will end up forgetting important aspects of your trip. Allocate enough time to get to the airport so you don’t have to worry about missing flights. If you’re taking multiple planes to your destination, make sure you have at least two hours gap between each plane transfer.

Give yourself a break. In case you need long drives to your chosen ski vacation destination, make sure you don’t drive nonstop. Instead, feel free to take a break. Take note that long, nonstop drives can make kids feel bored and cranky. With this in mind, stop every few hours and allow each family member to stretch their legs, have some snack, or even go out for a short sightseeing. It will rejuvenate not only the kids but the parents and driver as well.

Set reasonable expectations. As much as possible, keep your expectations realistic and attainable. Remember that not all family vacations end up the way we envision it to be because in reality, most family vacations are not at all free from arguments, tantrums, and lack of compromise. Take note that kids can easily get bored and would want nothing but endless carefree days on your chosen ski vacation destination, so talk to them about what you really expect from them while you are on a holiday.

Take part in planning the trip. As much as possible, involve everyone in the family when planning your trip. If you are planning to bring extended family members, it will also be nice to let them voice out their opinion. Allow everyone to speak up and offer suggestions and agree on activities that will benefit not only adult members of the family but also the kids. Involving the family in planning for such trip usually results to more wonderful escapades with the family.

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