Happier and

Healthier: Why

Skiing is Good

for the Body

American Ski Exchange

225 Wall St. Vail, CO 81657

970-476-1477

Winter is the season to hit the slopes and get active. The cold weather should not

discourage families and their children from participating in some extreme winter action.

With proper preparation and training, it will be easy to take on any challenges on the

slopes and reap physical, mental, social, and emotional benefits.

Skiing is an excellent example of a winter sport that offers plenty of health and well-being

benefits. According to research, skiing even just once a year may enhance happiness and

health. It can help people burn calories, tone muscles, and boost immunity.

Cardiovascular Benefit

Skiing gives the body a good cardiovascular system workout. The sport elevates the heart

rate, which helps increase blood circulation and removes toxins from the body. This also

allows the muscles to expand immediately and burn unwanted fat easily. It is a good

overall workout that exercises the heart and lungs.

Burn Calories

Fitness experts say a typical day

out on the slope can burn up to 3,000

calories. This is far more than what a

person could lose in a session at the

gym. When skiing on steeper slopes,

the body works hard to maintain

balance. Skiers are also forced to raise

body temperature, as they are exposed

to sub-zero temperatures, helping them

burn more calories.

Happiness Benefit

Research indicates that skiing

makes people feel happy and satisfied.

As the sport makes people deeply

involved in an enjoyable activity, it

enhances their positive outlook on life. It

can make them happy even if they only

participated for a short period of time.

The research also says that skiers are

happier than snowboarders.

Flexibility

Skiing will help avoid muscle strains and sprains. This is because the sport focuses

on the core muscle groups that strengthen the abdominals. It also trains the leg muscles,

which requires more calories to be burned in the form of energy. The stretching routines

involved in the activity strengthen the core muscles and upper thighs.

The fun and excitement involved in skiing should not only be the main driver for

trying this sport. Its enormous physical and mental benefits should encourage people to

hit the slopes instead of digging out wool blankets and staying at home all day long.

RESOURCES:

http://www.vailskishop.com/

http://www.medicaldaily.com/why-skiing-good-your-health-skiiers-feel-happier-

healthier-after-hitting-slopes-264238

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/sports-training/the-health-benefits-of-

downhill-skiing.html#b