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Alpine Touring: Ski the Back Country

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:30:00 -0800

Ski touring, is also referred to as ski mountaineering, ski randonnée, and alpine touring (or AT). It's a form of backcountry skiing (off-piste skiing) involving trekking from place to place in the wilderness, that has parallels with hiking, backpacking and Alpine climbing or mountaineering.

You have skis that are similar to regular downhill skis, but the heels can detach, kind of like telemark skiing. So you can actually hike around on your skis, climbing up a mountain, and then you can ski down.

The way it works is you attach skins to your skis, that help you ascend up the hill. They're straps that have little hairs on them, that create traction so you can climb up the slope on your skis and not slip down.

Once you get to the top, you take off the skins, click your heels back into the bindings, and then ski back down the mountain.

Alpine Touring is for the serious outdoors-woman, who wants to enjoy more freedom on her skis. You've got to be tough to AT, but you can go wherever you want.

Fit's Tips: When you're going into the back country, you never want to go alone. If you're new to alpine touring, contact your local outdoors group or club to find out about guided ski tours.

Skiing Defined

FitSugar — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 04:04:17 -0800

There are tons of ways to get from the top of a snowy mountain to the bottom. Here are all of the different types of skiing so you can get them straight, and know which one might be right for your personality.

Alpine or Downhill skiing: This requires you to take a chairlift to the top of the mountain, and then you ski down. This type of skiing has your foot inside a tight boot, that's completely binded to your ski - gravity and the slippery snow allow you to go super fast. Can get expensive with all the equipment and having to buy lift tickets or a season's pass.

Cross-Country skiing/Nordic skiing: This is much more physically demanding because you're doing all the work. You don't need a chairlift because you're mostly using trails in the woods, and it's cheaper too because you don't have to buy lift tickets. The boot is soft, and your heel is not attached to the ski. The skis are lightweight, and thinner than downhill skis.

To find out the rest, read more

Telemark Skiing: This type of skiing is sort of a combination of the first two. You're going downhill, but your heel is free. You're able to bend your knees, and move more fluidly, kind of like jogging. It's focused around the Telemark turn, which allows you great control.

Alpine Touring/Randonnée: It's pretty much the same as regular alpine skiing. But the heels of the bindings release, and you can attach straps to your skis called skins, so you can hike up a mountain. Then your heels can click back in so you can ski down the mountain. It's for hardcore skiers who like to hike to where they want to ski.

Heliskiing: Just alpine skiing, but instead of taking a chairlift, a helicopter brings you to the top of very tall mountains.

All are different from each other, but now you can figure out which one is right for you.

Too High?

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:26:29 -0800

Winter often means that a lot of us are making the trek up the mountains in hopes to have that ultimate run back down.

Ski-lifts can often be more than 12,000 feet above sea level, which means you're getting a lot less oxygen than you're accustomed to on sea level. This lack of oxygen can leave you feeling sick (nausea and fatigue) but you're not alone, altitude sickness is fairly common. To help prevent it you may want to start slow the first day and work your way up the rest of your trip. Try a half day at first and if you're at a huge mountain, you may want to avoid going to the summit on day one. Also, avoid alcohol, it can contribute to altitude sickness.

Fit's Tip: If you start feeling symptoms coming on, drink a lot of fluids (non-alcoholic fluids that is) and get a lot of rest. After a few days, you should be back to normal and hitting the slopes like a pro.

Gifts For Active Snow Bunnies

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:32 -0800

Although snow may not be falling in your neck of the woods just yet, it's never too early to start thinking about all the people in your life who love playing in that fluffy white stuff.

If you have a friend or family member who's big into hitting the mountain, here are some gift ideas that are sure to keep her warm and happy. Although picking out ski or snowboard equipment is best left up to her, these items are sure to make wintertime even better.

Now Is the Time to Get Ready For the Slopes

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:41 -0800

Even though we're in the middle of Fall and I've yet to see any real signs of snow, experts say now is the time to get your butt in gear for Winter sports. Days on the slopes can be long and require a good amount of endurance, especially if you're the type who likes to visit the mountains for an extended weekend or even longer.

Veteran Winter Olympic athletes like ski racer Daron Rahlves and snowboarder Elena Hight recommend doing specific training for Winter sports six to eight weeks before the season starts. They say the key to lasting all day, weekend, or week on the slopes is to work on flexibility, strength, and cardio. A good mix of this will ensure you can snowboard from sunup to sundown. Being in tip-top shape will also help cut down on injuries.

An article in the San Francisco Chronicle asked a group of Winter Olympians and trainers their advice on getting in shape for Winter sports. Here's some of their advice.

Stretch for 15-20 minutes every day or do 10 minutes of sun salutations. Skiers should focus on their lower bodies, while snowboarders should focus on their upper and lower areas.
Two to three times a week, focus on strength training with emphasis on your quads, hamstrings, and core muscles. Keeping your legs and core strong helps with balance and endurance, and helps cut down on ACL injuries. If you can, use kettlebells and also make sure to do tons of squats, leg curls, and lunges.
Do some sort of aerobic activity for at least 15 minutes every day, keeping your heart rate elevated the entire time.

Sounds doable to me. Who's hungry for powder?

Gear Review: Radiance Jacket by Mountain Hardwear

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:33 -0700

If you are looking forward to Winter but not the cold that accompanies it, Mountain Hardwear has constructed a jacket for you. The Radiance Jacket ($230) is pre-wired for the Ardica Moshi Power System ($145).

When fully charged, the battery powered energy pack will keep you warm for a little over eight and a half hours when set on the low setting and three hours when set for high. The heater fits into an internal pocket in the back of the jacket that sits between your scapula with extra heating coils in the front just above the pockets. Simply pressing the black button on the top of the jacket turns on the heater. The contrast between the lightweight jacket and the stiff battery is quite noticeable though. Known for their lightweight yet warm jackets (I ski in an older version of the company's Flip Jacket), the power system makes the jacket heavy.

I sat in my cold house (why houses in Northern California aren't well insulated is beyond me) and cranked the jacket to the high setting and was quite toasty. I was sweating in minutes. I have no doubt it would keep me warm on the slopes or sitting at a snowy football game, I am not sure I want to pay $375 to stay warm. Think of all the hot chocolate you could buy, even overpriced ski lodge cocoa, with that kind of dough.

If you're an electronics junkie, the jacket will charge them. To learn how read more.

The left pocket of the jacket houses a USB cable, they come with a variety of adapters making it useful for charging your iPhone, iPod, camera, or BlackBerry. The Ardica System takes more than a few hours to fully charge, but it can fully charge your phone multiple times once it's charged.

I think the concept of a warming jacket that helps you stay wired (or at least charged) is cool, but I am not completely sold on the technology. While the jacket is cute and streamlined - it would fit well under a shell to keep for added wind and water protection - but if it is so cold that I need a heater to keep me warm riding up a mountain, I might just opt for a lodge day. What about you? What do you think of the Radiance Jacket?

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Online Sales for Different Pocket Books

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 02:30:00 -0800

There are a couple of online sales I wanted to alert you all to just in case you are in the market for a good deal. They accommodate different size pocket books, and they both are worthy of attention.

I am going to start with semi couture fitness wear. Stella McCartney's winter line for Adidas is on sale!!!! I really like this super stylish base layer with wicking properties. Check out the Adidas site for more clothes.

To check out the other deal, read more

An even easier deal to take advantage of, especially if you are on a budget is the iPod Nano arm band on sale at Brandlet.com for only $19.95 (retails at $29.95). Plus free shipping!!!! These bands are great - I got the green one for Christmas. They make running with music so easy and it is nice to have your hands free. If something new helps motivate you to workout, than this just might be what you need.

Thanks to sugar user Pinkrabbit and FabSugar for giving me the heads up. As an old boss of mine used to tell me "Never pay retail."

Powderwh*re "Flakes" Gets You Psyched For Snow

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:30:06 -0700

I know it is still the middle of Fall, but here's a video that will make you wish it were Winter. Powderwh*re brings you their latest backcountry skiing video appropriately titled Flakes. Last Winter the production company filmed some of the best telemark skiers in the world, with the goal to "capture the joy and freedom that is powder skiing." There are no ski lifts, crowds of people, or impeccably groomed trails here, folks. These hardcore skiers hike up untouched powder-filled mountains, and then ski down the steepest, fluffiest, most gorgeous terrain you could imagine. This movie is touring the country right now, so here's a sneak peek to get you drooling with amazement.

If you're interested in seeing Flakes, grab your fellow ski bums and check out the tour dates. For my fellow Bay Area dwellers, it's playing in San Francisco this Friday!

Still aching for more? The Freeheel Life is another skiing movie touring the country. To check out that movie trailer read more.

Are you looking forward to hitting the slopes? I know I sure am.

Hike the Hill: Preventing Knee Pain

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:28 -0700

Fall is the perfect time to hike. There's a cool breeze, the fallen leaves make the trail even softer, and once you reach the pinnacle, you'll be amazed at the gorgeous foliage across the horizon. I love to try out new mountain trails, but find that the steep inclines and declines can be really hard on my knees. If this sounds familiar, don't let achy knees keep you off the trail. Here are some ways you can prevent pain to these joints.

Make sure your footwear is supportive. Sneakers provide cushioning, but they won't stabilize your ankles, which can also help to prevent your knees from turning out. So wear trail runners or hiking shoes that go over your ankle.
Invest in a pair of trekking poles. They look like ski poles, and when you use them to help you ascend and descend, they take some of the weight and work out of your lower body, and share it with your arms and back. So not only will you get more of a total body workout, but it's less demanding on your knees.
Go easy on the gear. Even though a little pack may not add a ton of extra weight, downward force on your knees can reach eight times the weight applied, so even five extra pounds can add 40 pounds of pressure to your knee joints. For a day hike all you need is water, some food, an extra layer, and your cell phone. If you have to bring along more, ask a helpful friend to carry it in their pack.

For more great tips, keep reading

Are Your Weekend Workouts More Intense?

FitSugar — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:00:05 -0700

Hooray for Saturday and Sunday! I love my job, but I love my days off more because I have the free time to do whatever I want. That translates to longer, more intense workouts than I do during the week. I go on lengthy bike rides, hike up mountains, go rock climbing, take three-hour yoga workshops, and once Winter comes, I'll go skiing too. I love to push myself hard on my weekend workouts, and then afterward, it feels so good to eat a big meal and relax. How about you?

Source: Flickr User ricardo.martins