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Skiers jumping in park, clear blue sky, mountains and lift in the background.

Take the opportunity to train for the slalom season

For us inveterate slalom skiers, the winter season is one of the highlights of the year. However, if you want to maximise your time on the slopes, you need to be fit. That's why we want to give you some tips on how to train for the slalom season!

Exercise makes ski holidays more fun

Two skiers in red clothes swing down a snow-covered piste under a clear blue sky

When you finally arrive at the slalom slope, you just want to throw yourself into the piste. Initially, you ski about as fast, well and steadily as Ingemar Stenmark did in the 1987/89 season. Soon afterwards, you often become both tired and stiff - which is not an advantage on the slalom slope.

To be able to ski as successfully as one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time requires some preparation. The best thing to do is to start preparing your body for the slalom season well in advance. The benefits of this are that you won't feel tired and stiff, while reducing the risk of injury!

If you have trained before coming to the ski slopes, you will also feel more resilient in the things that surround skiing. For example, it takes a lot of energy just to carry the equipment and help the children in the lifts. In addition, the brain gets tired of keeping track of ski passes, ski boots and which slope to take. Hard work always pays off, and training for the slalom season makes the journey much more enjoyable.

3 exercises for a strong body - how to train!

We have previously given tips on how you can train legs at home, and tips on knee training which gives you strong joints. But to be strong on the slopes, you need to be strong in your whole body. That's why we'd like to suggest 3 simple exercises you can do to train for the slalom season.

  • Plankan - Lie on your stomach and put your elbows on the floor at chest level. Using your elbows and toes, push yourself up into a straight position. This should tighten your abdominal muscles. Stand statically for 30 - 60 seconds, rest and repeat for 3 sets. If it's too heavy, you can use your knees instead of your toes.
Modern gym with exercise machines, free weights and mirrored wall under bright ceiling lighting.
  • Back lift - Lie on your stomach and angle your hands towards your forehead. Raise your upper body as high as possible with your feet still on the floor. Slowly lower back down and repeat 15 times. Rest and repeat for 3 sets.
  • Hip lift - Lie on your back and bend your legs so that your feet touch the ground, quite close to your bum. Your arms can be straight out from your body to increase stability. Lift your hip up as high as you can. Slowly lower it back down and repeat 15 times. Rest and repeat for 3 sets. If you want to increase the difficulty, keep only one leg on the ground while the other follows the hip up.

One of the best things about these tips is that they are suitable even if you have very little time. Because you're only working with your own body, they're so quick and easy that you can even do them at lunchtime! Aim to train about three times a week and you'll be unstoppable on the slopes, just like Stenmark.

Good luck with your training and see you soon!

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