Skiing and Staying Hydrated

Not many people would ever think that there is a better chance of getting dehydrated in the winter than in the summer but the facts are in and no matter what you believe it is true! If you think about it for just a minute it makes sense. In the winter months it is colder so people automatically wear more clothes, often in layers, which causes more sweating to occur. Often timeâ€™s people don’t even realize that they are sweating because the extra layers absorb the sweat. Another contributing factor is that because it is not hot outside people don’t always get the proper fluid intake as they would in the summer months. Combine the two together and it can spell dehydration! It is always important to get plenty of fluids, especially water.

Dehydration is especially common amongst skiers because the combination of the extra clothes and the fact that not enough fluid intake is coming into the body. Skiers must take extra precautions when skiing so that they do not suffer from dehydration. This can be done by always carrying your own canteen of water and drink it regularly. You are using a lot of energy when you are skiing so to be sure never wait until you are thirsty to drink. Balance out your fluid intake throughout the day. Make sure your canteen holds at least a quart of fluids and the best choice is water to fill it with. Stay away from anything that is loaded with sugar such as pop or juice. Drinks like these will make you thirst even more. Some skiers bring a few a snack along which is fine but again make sure they aren’t full of sugar or salt.

As a skier you know the importance of staying at the top of the game and always make sure that you are within the safe zone of whatever you are doing. Be physically prepared by exercising and doing stretching exercises before hitting the slopes. Never go out onto the slopes with the intention of getting in shape once you get there. Also, make sure that your equipment is in good shape and that it fits properly, if it doesn’t then maybe you should think about buying new or renting.

Just remember the advise given to you by the experts, always be aware of what is going on at all times, stay mentally alert as well, always watch the weather conditions because they are constantly changing, know how much that your body can endure before its too late, get plenty of rest, drink a lot of water, and avoid alcohol. Make sure that you bring the best and proper protective gear and always carry a good pair of sunglasses, lip balm, and sunscreen. Following these tips will ensure that you have a much better time while skiing and also will make sure that you stay safe and healthy. There is no time for setbacks when it comes to enjoying the slopes for an avid skier.

Originally posted 2008-11-06 04:55:49.

_{»crosslinked«}

This post involves: