Cures for Skiing Withdrawals
Posted
by
WinterWomen
on Thursday, June 19, 2014
 Summer is finally here! While many people are overjoyed and embracing the long sunlit warm days, there are others, like myself, that are bummed about winter being long gone and not being able to ski or snowboard for another good five months or so (that’s almost half a year away!). We’ve got the summertime blues.
What kinds of things are there for dedicated skiers to do in the off-season, you ask? Year-round skiing is possible, of course, if you travel to countries such as Chile or Argentina (but this does tend to be an expensive option). More affordable options in North America include traveling to places where ski mountains are built on glaciers, like the Timberline Lodge and Ski Area at Mt. Hood, Oregon, and Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada; however, operating hours are limited at these resorts in the summer, and many areas are restricted for ski and snowboard camp participants only. You can even try your hand at sand skiing in Southern Africa as shown here. However, if none of these are actually realistic opportunities for you, don’t fret...there are OTHER options than skiing in the summertime!
Waterskiing or Wakeboarding
If you live near a body of water that allows motorized watercrafts and own a boat or know someone that does, waterskiing is a fun sport that is very similar to downhill skiing. Just like downhill skiing, water skiers must have adequate upper and lower body strength, muscular endurance, and good balance. Both involve shifting your weight, keeping a rhythm, muscle memory, and edge control.
All the same is true for wakeboarding, which is similar to snowboarding. The biggest difference I’ve found is that you tend to use your arm strength a bit more for waterskiing/wakeboarding, which takes some getting used to, especially when you are trying to stand up on the water for the first time. It may take a few tries to stand up, but once you do, you’ll be smooth sailing over the currents of the water. Love doing jumps? Try jumping back and forth over the wake. If you do fall, it can hurt, so be careful and make sure to wear a PFD (personal floatation device) or life jacket. There are so many similarities to downhill skiing and water skiing, but most importantly, they are both FUN!
Yoga
What do skiing and yoga have in common? Despite the obvious differences, there are several ways that a regular yoga practice can benefit your skiing performance. Skiing requires stamina, strength, concentration, and balance. Practicing yoga can help you maintain flexibility and strength, improve your coordination, balance, and concentration, as well as help to reduce the chance of injury while skiing.
 The bent forward motion of skiing can tighten certain areas, which weaken other areas. You can use yoga to loosen the tight areas, while strengthening the weak ones. Yoga enables you to engage your core and glutes, allowing your legs to be fluid yet strong. The best positions for skiing are standing and balancing poses as well as ones that open the hip flexors and ones that emphasize your core. They will help improve stamina and strengthen your legs, as well as tune up your balance. Try these 5 Yoga Poses for Skiing!
Ziplining
Do you love skiing for the thrill of the air rushing by you, the breathtaking views, the need for speed, and the excitement of being high above the ground? If so, you absolutely need to go ziplining! Ziplines have become increasingly popular with adrenaline seekers over the last few years, and are now offered all over the world. Originally designed to deliver goods and a mode of transportation for people living in remote areas, it wasn’t long before researchers realized the potential of these cables, and ziplining became what it is today.
 Imagine being hurtled through the air with breathtaking landscapes rushing by your side, reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour on a metal cable with nothing more than a harness, a helmet, and the air below you. Sound like your cup of tea? You can plan your next vacation around a particular zip line location or even sign up for a tour in your own area. With different variables including length, height, altitude, angle and speed, each zipline has its own disposition and you’ll surely find multiple ones to your liking.
Shop the Ski Sales
One word: shop! Did you know that the best sales for ski equipment and apparel are in the summertime? Check out some great sales on women’s ski clothing here.
What advice do you have for the dedicated skier in the summertime? Let us know in the comments below!
Categories:
Health & Fitness
Tagged: Summer, skiing, snowboarding, fitness, yoga, water sports
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