There’s nothing quite like spending the day on the slopes. It’s exhilarating and exciting as you challenge your body and have lots of fun. To keep the fun going, you want to make sure you are keeping your health in mind. Doing so ensures you don’t cause your body any harm and cut your ski season short.
Keep Warm
It gets plenty cold while you’re skiing and you need to make sure you’re staying warm. The best way to do this is to dress in layers. Wearing layers will do more to keep you warm than one big coat would and it allows you to remove layers one at a time as you warm up. Start with a base layer intended to keep your body dry. This can include thermals and long underwear are a good base layer. The key to staying warm is keeping your body dry. After you’ve applied a few more layers, you’ll need a waterproof jacket and pants. Lastly, find some waterproof gloves to keep your hands dry and pack a scarf/neck warmer and some extra socks.
Stay Hydrated
Skiing is an intense physical activity and your body will lose plenty of water while you’re on the slopes. You need to make sure you stay hydrated. In the days before you go skiing, make sure you drink lots of water to pre-hydrate yourself. While skiing, consider options for bringing water with you. A regular water bottle can be hard to carry. Instead, you can find a soft-sided water bottle or even a water bladder you can wear. This way you can keep drinking without the inconvenience of a bulky water bottle. If you can’t bring water with you, take plenty of breaks throughout the day to get more water.
Use Sun Protection
During the winter, most people don’t think about packing sunscreen with them. However, you are still exposed to harmful UV rays throughout the year and even on cloudy days. In fact, you are at a higher risk since you are at a higher altitude and the UV rays are reflecting off of the snow. It’s possible to get sunburnt and subject yourself to the risk of skin cancer later in life. Before you go skiing, make sure you apply sunscreen. Take special care to apply sunscreen around your eyes and on the lips, chin, ears, and neck. You should reapply sunscreen every two hours. You can also purchase sunglasses or goggles that provide you with UV protection.
Protect Your Body
While skiing can be a lot of fun, it can also be dangerous. There is a higher risk of getting into an accident and seriously injuring yourself. You need to take extra care to protect your body. One way to avoid injuries is to make sure your body is prepared for skiing. It’s a very intense, physical activity. Before you go on your trip, consider doing some workouts specifically geared toward preparing to ski. It’s also a good idea to do some stretches beforehand so your body is nice and warmed up. While you’re out skiing, make sure you have all the equipment you need to protect your body. You should always wear a helmet so you prevent damage to your head if you fall.
When you take the extra time to prepare for your ski trip and keep in mind your health and safety, it’s easier to enjoy your time. You also are able to continue skiing when you stay healthy. Before your next trip, make sure you’re prepared.
If you received an injury from skiing, physical therapy can help your body get back into functioning shape. Click here to learn more about physical therapy offered at Premier Family Medical.
