🎿 Your First Ski Day Is Just 29 Days Away. Are Your Legs Ready?

Hey Ski Fam,

I have a confession. Every fall, I make the same mistake. I think I'm in better ski shape than I really am. 😂

I walk. I hike. I stay active. So when ski season rolls around, I figure my legs are ready. Then I make my first few turns, and suddenly my thighs start sending me hate mail.

You know the feeling. You're halfway down the mountain, your legs are burning, and you're wondering why that chairlift looks so far away. The worst part? It's only 10 a.m. 🔥😂

Here's what I've learned after years of skiing and coaching. The first ski day of the year shouldn't be the day you start getting in shape for skiing.

With Mammoth planning to open November 13, we have just 29 days to do something about it. That's four weeks to wake up those ski muscles, build some balance, and give our legs a fighting chance.

The good news? You don't need a gym, fancy gear, or hours of free time. Here are five simple things I'm doing to get ready. 🎿

🦵 1. Get Your Legs Ready Before They Start Screaming

Let's start with your thighs. Skiing asks a lot from your legs because you're bending your knees, holding your balance, and making turn after turn while your muscles work to keep you in control.

That's why you can walk five miles without a problem and still feel like you've been hit by a snowplow after your first ski day. 😂

My favorite place to start is the simple squat. Here's what I do:

• 🦵 Stand with my feet about shoulder-width apart.

• 🪑 Bend my knees and push my hips back like I'm sitting in a chair.

• ⏱️ Stand back up slowly and repeat 10 times.

• 🔁 Rest, then try another set if it feels good.

I keep my heels on the floor and only squat as low as I can with good form. The goal is to wake up those muscles, not make them so sore that walking downstairs becomes a team sport. 😂

⚖️ 2. Practice the One Thing Most Skiers Forget

Balance sounds simple until you're sliding down a hill with two long boards strapped to your feet. Skiing is all about staying steady as your body moves, and you can work on that skill without snow.

I stand on one foot for 20 seconds, then switch legs. If I need help, I stand next to a counter or sturdy chair. Once that feels easy, I try holding a little longer.

You'll soon find out which leg has been doing all the work while the other one has been on vacation. 😂

A little balance practice now can help you feel more steady when you click into your skis, especially when the snow gets firm or the slope gets busy.

🪜 3. Take the Stairs. Your Ski Legs Will Thank You.

Nobody wants to hear that taking the stairs is good for them, especially when there's a perfectly good elevator right there. 😂

But step-ups are one of my favorite ways to build leg strength for skiing. All you need is a low, sturdy step and a few minutes.

Here's my routine:

• 🪜 Step up with one foot.

• 🦵 Bring the other foot up.

• 👟 Step back down with care.

• 🔁 Repeat 10 times, then switch which foot leads.

I start slow and use a handrail if needed. Step-ups work the muscles around your hips and thighs, which help you stay strong as you make turns.

And you don't have to do all this at once. I sometimes do step-ups while waiting for dinner to cook, although it's hard to look like a serious ski coach when you're exercising next to a pot of spaghetti. 🍝😂

🚶 4. Don't Forget Your Lungs

Here's something that catches a lot of SoCal skiers off guard. It's not just their legs that get tired. It's their breathing.

Many of us spend most of our time near sea level, then drive up to Mammoth, where the air is much thinner. Mammoth's Main Lodge sits at about 9,000 feet, and even fit skiers can feel the change.

Getting fit at home won't make you fully used to high altitude, but building some stamina can help you handle the work of skiing.

I like to keep it simple. A brisk walk, a bike ride, or a hike for 20 to 30 minutes on most days. Nothing fancy, just enough to get my heart working.

When I reach the mountain, I take it easy at first, drink water, and pay attention to how I feel. Nobody wins a prize for running out of breath before lunch. 😂

🎿 5. Don't Try to Become an Olympic Skier in 29 Days

This may be the most important tip of all. Don't overdo it.

Every fall, ski season gets close, we get excited, and we decide we're going to get in shape. So we go from doing almost nothing to working out like we're training for the Winter Olympics.

Three days later, we can barely get off the couch. 😂

If you're just getting started, try a short workout two or three days a week. Give your muscles time to rest, and add some gentle movement for your ankles, hips, and knees.

The goal is to build a little strength each week without wearing yourself out before ski season even starts. We're getting ready to have fun on the mountain, not win a gold medal in the living room. 🥇😂

📅 My Simple 29-Day Ski Fitness Plan

You don't need to change your whole life or buy a gym membership. Just build a few small habits and stick with them.

• Week 1: Wake Up the Legs. Start with easy squats, balance practice, and short walks.

• Week 2: Build Strength. Add step-ups and another set of squats if your body feels ready.

• Week 3: Build Stamina. Try longer walks or bike rides while keeping up your leg workouts.

• Week 4: Get Ready for Snow. Keep moving, but ease up on hard workouts in the last few days before your trip.

I want to arrive at Mammoth feeling fresh, not so sore that I need help getting my boots on. 😂

If you're new to exercise, have health concerns, or are coming back from an injury, check with a health pro before starting.

❄️ The Big Lesson

Here's what I want you to remember as we get closer to winter. You don't need to be in perfect shape to enjoy skiing. But a little work now can make your first day a whole lot better.

Mammoth has November 13 on the calendar, though opening day and available terrain still depend on the weather. That's 29 days from today, and I want to spend that first day thinking about the snow, the views, and the next run.

Not wondering whether my legs will make it back to the chairlift. 😂

I want to feel that cold mountain air on my face, hear my skis slide across the snow, and stop for lunch because I'm hungry, not because my thighs have filed for early retirement.

The best part is that we still have time. Ten minutes today. A little more next week. A few good habits before the lifts start spinning.

Strong ski days start long before the first snowfall. 🎿

Now I want to hear from you. What's your favorite way to get your ski legs ready? Squats? Hiking? Biking? Or do you just show up on opening day and hope for the best? 😂

Hit reply and tell me. I'd love to hear what works for you, and I may share some of your tips with our Ski Fam.

– Sasha Everett ⛷️❄️

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