The amount of calories burned while skiing depends on several factors, including your weight and the type of ski you use. It can also vary based on terrain and how hard you ski.
On average, downhill skiers burn between 300 to 600 calories an hour. That doesn’t include time spent waiting in lift lines or riding up the chairlift.
It’s a great cardio workout
Skiing is an excellent way to stay fit and have some fun in the wintertime. Not only does it improve cardio health, but it can also strengthen muscle tone and balance.
Skiing also helps you develop and maintain flexibility, which is beneficial for your body as a whole. The repetitive movement of muscles, tendons and ligaments while skiing promotes healthy range of motion and helps protect you against injuries.
Skiing, whether downhill or cross-country, is an excellent way to tone and shape up your entire body. Both types of skiing burn plenty of calories while providing various advantages.
Cross-country skiing requires more leg strength, while downhill skiing targets your upper body and core muscles. Downhill skiing in particular puts strain on these key upper body areas as you must hold onto poles while moving and shifting your weight around.
Your arms are used to grip ski poles and control your speed on slopes, which requires strength in your elbows, wrists and forearms. Similarly, shoulder muscles play an integral role in cross-country skiing as they keep you from falling off snowbanks.
Additionally, your core and obliques must be utilized, which help keep your back aligned while skiing. On skis, terrain changes rapidly so it can be challenging to maintain a stable position at all times.
Maintaining your body in a symmetrical alignment is essential for skiing, as it keeps your core and balance strong. Be able to react quickly when faced with sudden changes on the slopes like bumps or humps so you don’t get sideways and go down.
Skiing requires repetitive movements of both your legs and arms, which improve blood circulation and oxygenate your heart, improving cardiovascular fitness and decreasing the risk of heart disease.
Skiing and poles offer an enjoyable way to spend time outdoors, which can be beneficial for mental health and mood. The repetitive motions of skiing and poles also cause endorphins – known to promote happiness and reduce depression.
It’s a great way to spend time outdoors
Skiing offers the refreshing air and thrill of outdoor fun in the wintertime. Not only does it provide physical benefits, but skiing also has mental benefits as well. It helps build resilience, promote mental health, reduce depression and anxiety levels alike.
Calorie burn during skiing varies according to a person’s weight, the type of ski they use and their level of intensity. A 155-pound person will burn about 360 calories an hour when skiing downhill at moderate intensity; on the other hand, 180 pounds will consume 434 calories during that same hour of activity.
No matter your weight or intensity level, however, the number of calories burned depends on how much effort you put in. Exercising more frequently will burn more calories than doing the same thing less frequently.
According to a study published in Harvard Medical School, an adult of weight 155 would burn 360-532 calories per hour of downhill skiing. This number does not account for time spent on the chairlift, so it is likely higher than this.
However, this still provides an indication of the amount of calories you could burn if skiing at a moderate or intense level. Competitive skiers could potentially burn up to 1,000 calories an hour.
If you’re not quite as proficient as an elite racer, however, your calorie burn will likely be lower. This depends on a number of factors including the type of skiing you do, how hard you work at it and your age.
Cross-country skiing is an excellent way to stay fit, and it can be more calorie efficient than downhill skiing due to the need for self-propulsion rather than transport. On average, cross-country skiers burn between 480-875 calories an hour without the need for chair rides or lift lines as rest breaks.
Calculating how many calories you burn with the MET calculator is easy. This provides a general idea of the number of calories burned while engaging in different activities, allowing for comparison between sitting, running, sleeping and sex.
It’s a great way to socialise
Skiing requires a variety of factors, from terrain to exertion level. While it’s impossible to accurately estimate your calorie burn for a day on the slopes, an online calculator can give you an approximate figure.
Exercise releases endorphins, which can make you feel calmer and happier. Engaging in a sport you enjoy also has positive effects on mental health as it provides something to look forward to each day.
Yonsei University conducted a study that revealed skiers and snowboarders had better emotional outlooks than non-sportspeople. Participants stated that playing sports had an overall beneficial effect on their mental wellbeing, plus they enjoyed connecting with others who shared similar interests.
Regular ski holidays provide opportunities to expand one’s social circle and connect with old friends while away on holiday. Maintaining connections with distant relatives can be difficult, so this is an excellent opportunity to expand your contact base while having a blast from the past!
On a snowy holiday, it can be easier to connect with other travelers and socialize. If you’re travelling solo, signing up for a collective ski lesson is an ideal way to meet new people and make new friends.
Skiing offers another advantage; being exposed to Vitamin D in the mountains helps boost your immunity and build strong bones. Furthermore, it may alleviate Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression that may be brought on by lack of sunlight during wintertime.
Water is essential when exercising, as it helps your body work more efficiently and burn more calories. Skiing requires deeper breaths, raising your heart rate to an elevated level. Furthermore, you may become hungry sooner so it’s wise to stock up on protein and healthy fats before hitting the slopes.
It’s a great way to relax
Are you searching for an enjoyable way to get your heart rate up and burn some calories? Skiing can be the perfect activity. Your fitness level, food choices, and what slope you choose all play a role in how many calories are burned while skiing.
Skiing and snowboarding are great exercises to stay fit. Not only that, but it’s also an effective way to burn off excess fat in a healthy manner.
This workout is a full-body affair, meaning you’ll target multiple muscles. The most important ones include your quadriceps (the large muscles in front of your thighs), hamstrings (the back of your thighs) and gluteals (also known as glutes).
These muscles help hold you in position, flex your hips and extend your knees. They’re especially crucial when skiing down a steep slope as they absorb shocks and protect the anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs), which hold your knee together.
Your legs are incredibly powerful and can quickly tire, so it’s essential to take breaks and stretch when skiing or snowboarding. Additionally, you can use progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) techniques to relax those same muscles and release tension in them.
Skiing can make you feel more relaxed and improve performance. This safe and efficient technique for mind and body relaxation is well worth giving a try – so why not give it a shot?
The great thing about it is that you don’t even need to break a sweat to reap its rewards. A few simple stretches can help relax your body and quiet your mind, making it an excellent way to improve mental wellbeing during wintertime.
You’ll likely notice that just a few minutes of these stretches can have a positive effect on your mood, and they can even help when feeling stressed or anxious. However, they won’t work as effectively if you have any health conditions or are experiencing pain, so it’s wise to consult your doctor before beginning these exercises.
