Skiing and running

The benefits of cross-country skiing or ski touring for runners need no further proof.Completing a sequence of downhill and uphill sections without external aid will significantly develop your heart and lung capacities. Indeed, it is the athletes who practise these disciplines who have the highest VO2 max levels (maximum volume of oxygen used during exercise).

Thanks to the heavy demands placed on the heart (always after completing a medical to check that there is no reason why you cannot practise sports), you do some significant cross-country training that will help you improve in all the key aspects of running whether it is off-road or on roads.Your pulmonary and muscular capacities are developing well with a reduced risk of injury, given that these are low-impact sports, except in the case of a fall… Finally, if you are not good enough at skiing or if you would like to explore countryside that is more unspoilt, snowshoeing is an option that can provide all of the aforementioned benefits.

Naturally, you cannot compare the benefits of downhill skiing with those of cross-country skiing or ski touring.Indeed, as a result of the ski lifts, you do not exercise going uphill.However, downhill skiing can also have positive effects.

First of all, practising sports at altitude (except in the event of a pathology identified by the medical profession or certain known safety conditions) has benefits for the muscles and joints.This is also the case from the mental point of view, given the, often magical, surroundings.Enjoying the opportunity to practise winter sports in such surroundings is an exceptional privilege.As a result, runners can only benefit from practising downhill skiing exclusively.

By regularly practising a sport,including running, at least during the weeks preceding your ski trip, you will be able to take full advantage of the pleasures of the mountains.As for skiers who do not exercise, they will suffer from stiffness for most of their holiday and face an increased risk of accidents due to significantly lower levels of endurance and a lack of physical conditioning and muscle strength to cope with the various demands of winter sports.

If you are preparing for a spring objective, having to stop your set training plan for a few weeks will disrupt your progress.You may even feel guilty for having suspended your preparation, even though it is only for a few days.Don't worry!This will not harm your performance in the coming race.On the contrary, it will revitalise you physically and mentally.It can only have a beneficial effect.

If, despite all this, you still have some concerns, you could choose to combine your skiing holiday with a week in your training plan where you need to train less.This will allow you to kill two birds with one stone.


So, make the most of what nature offers up to you during the winter period and don't miss out on a skiing holiday.In general, broadening your sports will always have a beneficial effect on your performance for achieving your future objectives whether they are on trails or roads.