Winter Is Coming... Get Ski Fit Now!

It’s August. Your ski boots are buried in the loft, the closest thing to a piste you’ve seen is the back of a deckchair, and Austria in winter feels a long way off. But if you’ve got a ski trip booked, now is exactly the right time to get slope-ready.

Skiing isn’t just a holiday — it’s a full-body workout in freezing temperatures at high altitude. The fitter you are before you go, the longer you’ll last on the slopes, the less you’ll ache after day one, and the more energy you’ll have for après ski and evening activities.

Here’s your simple, no-experience-needed plan for training now so you can crush it in the Austrian Alps later

 

1. Build Your Ski Legs

Skiing hammers your quads and glutes — the more they can take, the better. Start with 2–3 lower-body sessions a week that includes:

• Squats
• Lunges
• Wall sits
• Step-ups

Bodyweight is fine at first; resistance bands or dumbbells will speed up progress.

Need some help on your squat form? Check this video out!

 

2. Strengthen Your Core

A solid core means better balance, smoother turns, and less back strain. To maximise your core strength you can try:

• Planks (front & side)
• Russian twists
• Dead bugs
• Mountain climbers

This is what keeps you stable when the piste gets icy or bumpy.

Never head of a Russian Twist? Click here!

 

3. Get Your Heart Pumping

Even downhill, skiing raises your heart rate — and altitude turns every breath into work. Prep with:

• Hill walks or runs
• Cycling or spin classes
• HIIT workouts

Build to 30 minutes, 3–4 times a week. That “last lift dash” will feel easy.

 

4. Stay Mobile & Flexible

Tight hips make ski boots feel like torture devices. To minimise your pain on the first few days of your ski trip, you'll want to work on:

• Hip openers
• Hamstring stretches
• Ankle mobility drills
• Shoulder stretches

Yoga or a quick stretch routine can save you from awkward, injury-risking twist.

Check out some steches here!

 

5. Train for the Wobble

Skiing wakes up tiny stabiliser muscles you never think about. Improve them with:

• Balance boards or cushions
• Standing on one leg (eyes closed)
• Skater jumps, jump squats, box jumps

You’ll react faster when the terrain gets unpredictable.

 

6. Try Summer Sports That Use The Same Muscles

You don’t have to chain yourself to a squat rack to get ski-fit — plenty of summer activities naturally build the strength, balance, and endurance you’ll need on the slopes. Try your hand at a few of these and you’ll be prepping without it feeling like “training” at all:

• Mountain biking – Saalbach-Hinterglemm
  Known as the “Home of Lässig” (meaning easy-going/casual) Saalbach-Hinterglemm is a summer MTB paradise with lift-served trails, flowing downhill routes, and challenging climbs that will light up your quads just like skiing.
  Saalbach MTB Info

• Hiking with elevation gain – Schladming-Dachstein
  With its rugged peaks and glacier views, this region offers routes that start gentle and end with lung-busting climbs — perfect for building the leg endurance you’ll need in winter.
  Schladming Hiking Info

• Trail running – Kitzbühel Alps
  Kitzbühel isn’t just for the Hahnenkamm downhill; its summer trail network ranges from riverside runs to alpine ridge routes that train ankle stability and core balance.
  Kitzbühel Trail Running Info

• Stand-up paddleboarding – Lake Wolfgangsee
  Calm, clear waters framed by forested hills and alpine peaks make Wolfgangsee a SUP dream spot. Balancing on the board will work your core far more than you realise.
  Wolfgangsee SUP Info

• Rock climbing or bouldering – Zillertal
  Known for its granite crags and beginner-friendly boulders, Zillertal offers a mix of sport climbing and low-stress bouldering in a stunning alpine valley.
  Zillertal Climbing Info

The best part? All of these different sports can be done in Austria! And the more fun you’re having in summer, the fitter you’ll be by the time winter arrives — and the easier it will be to hit the piste at full speed without burning out by lunch.

 

7. Visit Austria In Summer

How can you better understand the contours of the mountain than by seeing what lies beneath the snow in the summer. Many of the pistes that you soar down in the winter are beautiful walking trails in summer with the same panoramic vistas and stunning backdrops. There are often places you can walk to that you wouldn't be able to make it to in winter, giving you a new perspective on the shape of the mountain. You may also find some rocks in places you had been previously and reconsider your route! Areas like St Anton, Ischgl, and Saalbach have 100s of km of hiking trails to suit all ages and fitness levels.

 

8. Rest Like a Pro

You’re not training for the Olympics. Rest days are essential for muscle recovery. Warm up before workouts, cool down after, and treat yourself to a foam roll or massage pre-trip.

So what are you waiting for? Start now, and by the time you’re halfway down a red run in the Alps, you’ll be throwing yourself into another carving turn instead of collapsing by 1pm!

 

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