Dehydration is the worst; it leads to muscle cramps, fatigue, and moodiness. When you're enjoying a day on the mountain skiing and snowboarding, you don't want dehydration to kill your vibe!
Learn the dos and don'ts of keeping your body hydrated and feeling your best while spending a day on the slopes. Just adding a few of these tips to your routine can help you feel a difference in your performance while skiing and snowboarding and in your recovery time the next day.
Do: Drink lots of water the day before
Hydration starts the day before you spend hours on the slopes. Keep a large reusable water bottle or mug with you the day before you ski or snowboard. Take note of how many ounces of water it holds and then aim to drink one gallon of water. Setting a goal and tracking your water intake throughout the day will keep hydration at the top of your mind.
Don't: Drink alcohol the night before
Many of us snowboard on the weekends, and it might be tempting to go out the night before and have a drink or three, but if your goal is to feel hydrated and ready to shred the next day, skip the booze. Alcohol is a diuretic, causing you to pee more frequently and lose water.
Do: Stay out of the sun while taking breaks
Why is it that sitting in the sun can make you feel so tired? Part of it is that your body is working to regulate your temperature, counteracting the warmth from the sun. Sweating from the sun can lead to dehydration and fatigue, two things you don't want when you're enjoying the day skiing or snowboarding.
Don't: Drink coffee all day
Drinking caffeinated hot delicious goodness sounds amazing when you're trying to warm up between runs, but too much can lead to dehydration. Similar to alcohol, coffee is also a diuretic and can cause you to take as many bathroom runs as you do trails. Each pee break dehydrates you more, so enjoy just a cup and limit your intake while you're skiing.
Do: Look for a free water cooler at the lodge
Many ski resorts have water coolers and cups for guests at the lodge. There might be several lodges at the ski resort you're visiting; take note of where they are and swing by for a quick cup of water between runs when you can.
Do: Consider bringing a CamelBak
Wearing a CamelBak hydration backpack while you're riding is the best way to make sure you stay hydrated through your day on the slopes. Having a tube of water to get a hit whenever you're thirsty is a big help!
Do: Drink water after you ride
Rehydrating after your day on the slopes is also a key component of recovering from a day of activity outdoors. Try filling a large water bottle and keeping it with you for the rest of the day, setting a goal of drinking two full water bottles before you go to sleep that night. It might be annoying having to run to the bathroom to pee every 30 minutes, but your body needs that water, girl!
Do: Snack on fruit
Sneak more water into your day on the mountain by bringing fruit for snacks. Watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, and strawberries are made up of mostly water and can help you refuel between runs. Slice up some fruit the night before to take with you to the ski resort. Bring extra to share that sweet hydration with friends and other riders you meet!
Do: Keep cough drops or gum in your jacket pocket
Skiing and snowboarding are great cardio workouts that raise your heart rate and have you breathing heavier - but this can also cause dry mouth. While cough drops and gum won't hydrate you, these little candies are very nice to have when your mouth feels like you've been stranded in the desert. Keep them in your pocket and pop one to stimulate saliva until you can take a break from riding in the dry mountain air to get some water.
Do: Start drinking water as soon as you wake up that day
Early mornings call for coffee, but make sure that you drink at least one glass of water before you hit the slopes. Getting off the chairlift without an ounce of new water in your body limits your muscle strength. According to a review published by the National Library of Medicine, water is an important component of muscle strength and function, and staying properly hydrated reduces the risk of injury.
Don't: Drink alcohol at lunch
Between runs is when you should be rehydrating, not dehydrating your body. Stick to the water cooler instead of the bar. You'll likely notice that you have more energy in the tank for more runs after lunch if you pass on the beer or bloody Mary and treat your body to two cups of water instead.
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