Many outdoor enthusiasts take pleasure in the spring, summer, and a part of the autumn months to get out into the open air on trails and parks to stay in shape while appreciating nature. When winter comes around and the streets are frosted with ice, the wind is bone chilling, and the air can chill even the heartiest of lungs many amateur athletes retreat indoors and accept that the holidays mean inactivity and weight gain.

Exercising outdoors has a variety of things to lend itself from improving mental health from exposure to natural scenery to engaging with nature itself. Why sweat inside of a gym when you can run along the edges of a river with spring’s breeze flowing through your hair? When winter comes, however, most outdoor enthusiasts are at a loss on what to do and this is where winter sports like skiing and snowboarding can come into play.

Jumping right into a sport like skiing or snowboarding can be difficult, so starting off with something like cross-country skiing will allow you to acclimate to cold weather exercise and help build up your endurance. Strap on your digital sport watch and time how long you can go without stopping and over a short number of weeks you’ll see the time increase and your body grow stronger.

Downhill skiing as exercise can help with your overall flexibility and balance will tone your leg and abdominal strength without straining the muscles in your back or tendons and joints. A day on the slopes can end up burning almost 600 calories per hour depending on your activity. Because of the need for balance and the high-speed bursts you’re likely to encounter as a beginning skier, being smart with safety gear like a ski helmet is an absolute must.

Make sure to keep hydrated all day as it’s unlikely you will notice any signs of dehydration until it’s too late. Also, don’t strain your body by pushing for one more run at the end of the day which is when most injures happen.

If you’re on the slopes and you see a boarder shredding down the mountain wearing a black helmet, tie-dyed pants with bright suspenders riddled with buttons, welcome to snowboarding- the thought of stepchild of skiing that has blazed its trail in the winter sporting world through fun and individuality.

Find a way to express yourself while having fun and learning a winter sport that will burn calories and bring you closer to the natural world that surrounds you.

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