As if you need more reasons to hit the slopes this winter… Photo: Shutterstock
It’s that time of year when you might suddenly realize you need to hit the gym. Or for that matter, do something beyond eating, drinking, and being merry. Despite the initial guilt-ridden urge you may feel to purchase that 24-Hour Fitness membership, think twice: we guarantee you’ll enjoy a day on the slopes more than an afternoon on the elliptical. There are plenty of health benefits that mountain life can offer, benefits you won’t sniff in the gym. So go ahead, buy the pass; the mountains are calling.
Fend Off S.A.D.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) is real, and this specific type of depression most often sets in during the winter months when individuals see less sunlight. Skiing and snowboarding offer multiple remedies for S.A.D. The brisk outdoor air leaves those hitting the slopes feeling refreshed while offering valuable sunshine exposure. These factors work to counteract S.A.D by attacking the cause–lack of sun. Hours of exposure on the slope can help stimulate serotonin levels, the drop of which is likely responsible for the symptoms associated with S.A.D. The gym might get the body moving and release endorphins, but there’s no substitute for the great outdoors when it comes to relieving the midwinter blues.
Build Brain Power
Skiing and snowboarding are both proprioceptive activities. Unlike targeted gym exercises that focus on specific muscles, snow sports require the ability to monitor the position of all body parts at the same time. They also require an acute sense of the amount of effort needed to produce a certain movement. The combination of slight muscle movements and overall body positioning involved in weaving down a hill build up proprioceptive abilities. This is especially important for older athletes, as proprioception weakens with age.
Keep Bones and Joints Strong
Snowboarding and especially skiing can help keep knees strong. Racing down a ski slope requires simultaneously supporting the full body weight on the feet and quickly moving the joints. This is incredible training for the knees, and as long as the skier or boarder isn’t pushing it too hard, it keeps the knees working in tip top shape. In the long term, this can help prevent injuries. Furthermore, because these snow sports are weight bearing activities, they help keep bones strong, preventing osteoporosis. That being said, it’s important to always stretch before skiing or snowboarding as additional injury prevention. You might also consider strength-building exercises in the legs prior to getting out your first time.
Stay Social
Skiing and snowboarding are naturally social sports. There’s plenty of time to chat on the drive to the mountain and on the chairlift. In terms of boosting mood, the “fun” aspect of getting the body moving while interacting with close friends and family trumps hours at the gym plugged into an IPod. Plus, developing these social bonds can lead to greater long term sense of wellbeing even after heading back home.
Create Healthy Habits
Skiing and snowboarding are both physically demanding. A typical 6-hour day on the slope burns about 3,000 calories, and it provides both cardio and strength training. In order to simply keep up, a skier or boarder naturally adopts (somewhat) healthier habits. It’s essential to refuel with purpose, or there’s no way to keep going the whole day. Plus, with the extreme altitude and physical activity, the body needs 3x the normal amount of water to function properly. Those who improve their diet and increase their water consumption to adapt to life on the slopes may continue these trends when returning home.
For more info on why skiing trumps the gym pass check out Medicaldaily.com, The University of New Hampshire Health blog and Spryliving.com.
