Pro Explains How to Turn a Ski Day Into a Full-Body Workout
As the Winter Olympics put elite skiers back in the spotlight, it’s easy to forget that skiing isn’t just a spectator sport, or an excuse for après-ski. Done right, a day on the mountain can be a serious workout, challenging your legs, lungs, and balance in ways few winter activities can.
Studies show that recreational alpine skiing can improve cardiorespiratory fitness, leg strength, balance, and metabolic health, particularly when skiers keep runs continuous rather than stop-and-start. One analysis found that roughly two and a half hours of skiing, including lift time, can match the energy expenditure of an hour of moderate cycling.
Still, many skiers underestimate just how physically demanding the sport can be—especially the braking forces the legs absorb on every turn, says Kevin Clarke, a ski-school coach at Hunter Mountain.
That reality is hard to miss at Hunter. The Catskills resort has long been known as a place that doesn’t hand out easy laps. Steep, icy sections, long run-outs, and packed weekends quickly expose weak legs—particularly for skiers making the trip up from New York City. It’s demanding by design, and that’s exactly what makes the "snowmaking capital of the world" such an effective training ground.
1. Ski Full Runs Without Stopping
Stopping mid-run to chat or catch your breath might be part of the scene—but it kills the workout, says Clarke. When breaks are too frequent, it’s hard to call the day real exercise.
Hunter’s long fall lines reward staying in motion. Linking multiple trails into one continuous descent keeps the quads and glutes working longer and holds heart rate up. A good rule of thumb is spending about four times as long skiing as you do resting, when lift lines allow.
2. Turns Matter More Than Ski Speed
Hunter’s terrain makes it easy to think going faster means working harder. It doesn’t. The real effort comes from turning. Making quick, steady turns keeps your legs and core working almost nonstop, says Clarke.
For experienced skiers, he recommends aiming for at least 30 turns per minute, even on easier runs. Research backs this up: more frequent turns increase muscle activation and balance demands—similar to agility training, but without the pounding.
3. Nonstop Ski Runs Are Better for Fitness Than Short Bursts
From a training standpoint, one long descent beats multiple short bursts. Linking trails into top-to-bottom runs increases muscular endurance and aerobic demand—especially on Hunter’s sustained pitches.
Studies show that longer continuous efforts drive better cardiovascular adaptation than stop-start movement, particularly for recreational athletes.
4. Choose Ski Terrain That Pushes You Without Losing Control
Harder runs and ungroomed snow can build strength, balance, and power—but only if you can ski them smoothly. Runs that force repeated stops reduce total workload and raise injury risk, Clarke says.
Hunter’s reputation for variable conditions makes it an ideal place to apply progressive overload: ski terrain you can control, then gradually increase difficulty as confidence improves.
5. Cold Muscles Can Kill Ski Performance
Cold, stiff muscles fatigue faster and lose power—something Hunter skiers know well on frigid Catskills mornings. Staying warm isn’t just comfort; it’s a performance strategy.
Layering matters. A setup like Stio’s Environ Bib paired with a Fernos Insulated Knicker helps keep the thighs and glutes warm in extreme cold, preserving strength late into the day. On top, an affordable shell like the Environ Jacket blocks wind and snow, while a versatile midlayer such as the Skycrest Insulated Snap Shirt adds warmth on the chairlift—and works just as well as a pearl-snap shirt at après-ski.
Related: Trainer: Is Working Out in the Cold Bad for You? Experts Explain the Real Risks
5 Ways to Make Skiing a Better Workout
If you want your next ski day to feel more like a workout and less like a casual cruise, these five simple tweaks can make an immediate difference.
- Warm up before your first run. Do squats, lunges, leg swings, and torso rotations to prep your body.
- Ski one run without stopping. Staying in motion keeps your heart rate up.
- Focus on turns, not speed. More turns increase muscle work without skiing faster.
- Mix hard and easy runs. Pair technical runs with smoother endurance cruisers.
- End with good form. Focus on balance and edge control to work harder without risking injury.
None of these require better snow or better gear, just a more intentional approach that turns every run into real training.
Where to Refuel and Recover at Hunter Mountain
After a hard day on the slopes, recovery matters—but so does getting there in the first place. For the winter drive up, the 2026 Volvo XC90 fits the job: standard all-wheel drive, confident traction in snow, and enough power and interior space to haul skiers and gear to the Catskills without white-knuckle moments.
Once you’re parked, slopeside convenience matters. Kaatskill Mountain Club offers ski-in/ski-out access and spacious accommodations ideal for your family getaway. Inside the resort, Van Winkle's delivers elevated comfort food and cocktails—perfect for refueling tired muscles.
In town, Jägerberg Beer Hall & Alpine Tavern is the standout for alpine classics like schnitzel and sauerbraten paired with German-style brews.