Winter is approaching, and it’s the perfect time to prepare your body and mind for the slopes. Whether you’re planning to ski in Chamonix, Megève, Courmayeur, or anywhere in the Mont Blanc region, a bit of preparation will make your experience smoother, safer, and far more enjoyable.

As an independent ski instructor operating under Ski & Hike, I teach and guide skiers of all levels throughout the Mont Blanc massif. Here are my recommendations to help you arrive ready, confident, and in great shape for your skiing holiday.

1. Why Prepare Before Ski Season?
Skiing engages your entire body—legs, core, back, balance, and cardiovascular system. Preparing in advance helps you:
reduce the risk of injury,
feel more comfortable right from the first turns,
build endurance for longer ski days,
progress faster during your lessons,
and above all… enjoy your time on the mountain much more.
Even a few weeks of light preparation can make a huge difference.

2. Key Muscles to Strengthen Before You Ski
Legs: the foundation of skiing
Quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves are heavily engaged with every turn.
Recommended exercises: squats, lunges, wall-sits, step-ups, leg press.
Core strength: essential for balance and stability
A strong core helps maintain good posture and protects your lower back.
Exercises: plank, side plank, glute bridge, bird-dog.
Back muscles: often overlooked, always important
Exercises: superman, resistance-band rowing, back extensions.
👉 Three 20–30 minute sessions per week are enough to get ready.

3. Build Your Endurance for Longer Ski Days
Skiing is an intermittent endurance sport, especially in a high-altitude area like Chamonix.

Recommended cardio activities:

• cycling
• brisk hiking
• running
• swimming
• roller skating or ski-wheels (for a ski-like sensation)

Even 2–3 short cardio sessions a week help significantly.

4. Flexibility and Mobility: Essential for Injury Prevention

• hips
• lower back
• hamstrings
• calves
• ankles

Yoga or short mobility routines are great additions.

5. Healthy Habits Before Your Ski Trip
To make the most of your stay in Chamonix or the surrounding resorts:

• get enough sleep,
• stay hydrated (cold weather dehydrates quickly), eat balanced meals,
• avoid long periods without physical activity before your trip,
• include a few light training sessions to wake up the muscles.

Arriving rested and prepared makes a big difference in altitude.

6. Complementary Sports for Skiers
If you’re motivated to go further, these sports are ideal:

• mountain hiking
• trail
• ice skating or roller skating
• climbing or bouldering (excellent for stability)
• mountain biking

Fun, varied and highly effective.

7. When Should You Start Training?
Ideally: 4–6 weeks before your ski holiday.
But even 10 days of preparation are better than nothing!

8. Want to Progress Faster?
During your private lessons or ski guiding sessions with Ski & Hike, I adapt my coaching to your level, goals, and condition of the day.
I can help you:

• regain confidence on the slopes,
• improve technique efficiently,
• discover French, Swiss, and Italian ski resorts,
• explore the Mont Blanc region safely,
• and get the most out of your ski experience.et profiter de la montagne avec confiance et plaisir.

Conclusion
With a simple and consistent preparation routine, you’ll arrive on the slopes feeling stronger, more confident, and ready to enjoy your time in the mountains. Whether you’re a beginner, an intermediate skier, or a seasoned off-piste enthusiast, a bit of preseason training makes all the difference.

For private ski lessons, ski guiding, or discovering the best resorts around the Mont Blanc massif, I’ll be delighted to welcome you under Ski & Hike.

See you soon on the snow!