You just spent the day soaring down the mountain, floating through a foot of fresh powder, carving quick turns, and tackling moguls. Your body is pleasantly exhausted and your muscles are tight, so here is a great sequence of stretches to do after a day of skiing or riding to relieve soreness.
Use your smartphone to take your ski trip to new heights (literally) this Winter. Perfect for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, we found six apps that cover everything from tracking trail conditions to perfecting the basic powder turn. When all is said and done, you can further review your entire day: speed, vertical, and calories included. Click through and start downloading with these apps, and you'll never be left in the cold again!
The weather outside is frightful, and for many, that means one thing: a Winter weekend skiing or snowboarding in the mountains. Stay warm and comfortable without sacrificing style with these fashionable picks for any snow bunny!
If your family's holiday travel plans include time on the slopes, then you want your kids' souvenirs to be those of lift tickets and cool photos, as opposed to the bump, break, or bruise variety. To ensure a safe and fun trip for all, gear up before you go. Safety gear has come a long way, and it's easier than ever to find helmets, pads, and ski apparel that your little ones will actually want to wear. Here are our head-to-toe recommendations for safe and injury-proof shredding this season.
When it comes to snowboarding, strength, balance, agility, and endurance are all key; and with the season's kick-off just around the corner, it's not too late to start your off-hill training. To get your body in tip-top shape before reaching the mountain, see the exercises that Olympic snowboarders Gretchen Bleiler, Hannah Teter, and Kelly Clark do when they hit the gym. These exercises will keep your core and legs strong, your speed quick, and your balance intact!
East Coasters who ski and ride are loving all the snow that's been dumping this Winter. Whatever you hit the powder on, let's see what you know about skiing and snowboarding terms.
Source: Tyler Cohen
The first time I went to a ski resort I never made it to the slopes because I chickened out. I ended up spending the weekend hanging out at the lodge by myself. The next trip was unsuccessful too. I went with experienced snowboarders to Lake Tahoe where I fell off of a chairlift and ended up having to slide down the mountain.
If you don't know what you're doing, skiing and snowboarding can be pretty dangerous. The equipment is tricky and not knowing how to maneuver yourself on the mountain can result in serious injury. Don't forget that you're sharing the slopes; not knowing how to stop properly is all it takes to hurt someone else. Thinking back to the day that I fell out of the chairlift, I'm lucky that no serious damage came to myself or anyone else. I made a promise to myself that the next time I went up, I'd learn the ropes.
To find out how I finally made it onto the slopes, read more
I love going up to the mountains in the Winter to try my hand at snowboarding for a day. But since I only make it up once a season, I'm far from an expert snow bunny. In fact, I spend much of the time making it precariously down the easiest of slopes, tumbling and scooting along the way.
Even though next-day sore muscles are always a painful reminder about how much I have yet to learn, I love the feeling of gliding down a mountainside. But while skiing and snowboarding are fun ways to exercise and burn calories, the sports can seem intimidating if you don't know what to expect.
Preparing for the mountains is essential to making sure you have a safe and fun time, so if you are a snowboarding or skiing newbie looking to hit the (gentle) slopes, check out some of my tips for beginners after the break.
If you're planning on snowboarding or skiing this Winter, but don't own any gear, rent equipment from a local sports store before leaving for the mountains. You can rent gear at the resort, but renting in advance saves time and guarantees that you'll see action on the slopes. Here's why:
No wasted daylight hours at the rental booth — From personal experience, renting gear at the ski resort (or a nearby shop) is always hectic and takes longer than anticipated. With gear already in hand, you can head straight to the mountain and bypass the rental shop, which is especially important since most ski resorts close around 5 p.m.
First come, first served — Resort rental shops have a finite amount of sizes, and once they run out, you're left out of the fun. A friend of mine once lost an entire day of skiing because the mountain rental shop ran out of her boot size. Secure your gear before you go so that you'll have everything you need to hit the slopes.
If you're unable to rent gear ahead of time because of time or car size, call the rental equipment shops near your ski resort to see if they will hold equipment for you. And remember: rent a helmet!
