Downhill skiing is a recreational sport, but for some people, it's a way of life. Instead of hibernating indoors for the winter, they head to the mountains, look up at the snowfall and say, "Bring it on!" Although some people may wonder about the sanity of sliding downhill on two skinny sticks in sub-freezing weather, these winter sport enthusiasts have the right idea. Aside from its fun factor, downhill skiing has a positive impact on your health.
Fitness Benefits
Alpine skiing is a weight bearing activity, which which demands exceptional balance, coordination, agility and spatial awareness -- known as proprioception. These essential aspects of fitness diminish with age, but downhill skiing at an early age may minimize the damage. Skiing provides weight-bearing activity, which strengthens bones and prevents the bone loss that causes osteoporosis, reports the women's health site imaginis.com. Skiing also provides closed chain exercise, which keeps your feet, for the most part, in contact with the ground, thereby creating compression forces that protect your knee joints. Closed chain exercise and postural alignment, also important in skiing, are the cornerstones of osteoporosis prevention, says the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine P.T. Association. Skiing also provides moderate cardiovascular activity, reports Erich Muller, author of "Science and Skiing Volume IV."
Workout Motivation
Aside from the balance, strength, coordination and mild aerobic benefits of the sport itself, a skiing hobby may motivate you to stay in shape, in order to improve your ski skills and stay safe on the slopes. Important aspects of fitness that you might have neglected in the past, such as balance, postural alignment and correcting muscular imbalances, suddenly gain paramount importance. Ski skill improvement also creates additional concrete goals, thereby strengthening your commitment to stay in shape.
Conquering Winter Blues
Winter's dark skies and cold temperatures may trigger a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or S.A.D. Weight gain, carbohydrate craving, fatigue, irritability and apathy characterize this mental state. Alpine skiing provides three powerful weapons against S.A.D. -- social activity, physical activity and sunshine. Skiing gets you out of the house and onto the lift line, where it's impossible to avoid conversation, humor and social interaction. As you ascend to the mountain's summit, the high alpine sunshine may brighten your mood, and although downhill skiing may not be a gym workout, it is still a physical activity. This alone trumps hibernating indoors.
Social Benefits
Alpine skiing boasts a vast international community, which communicates through social networks, online message forums and on-slope meetings. Your new friends may provide you with discounted lift tickets or ski lessons, lodging and a tour of their local mountain or hometown. If you are seeking family friendly vacation options that do not involve theme parks, skiing offers a viable and enjoyable alternative. Most resorts have special children's classes and off-slope activities, and some even offer family activities such as family ski lessons.
Member Comments