Want to live longer?
Don’t believe it? Research proves you can.
We all love skiing, right? It’s a great way to enjoy winter in the mountains. But did you know that skiing might be one of the best activities for our health and longevity?
Did you know the counties with major ski resorts have the highest life expectancy rates in the entire country? Coincidence? Not likely.
In this guide, we’re going to dive into the science that proves why skiing is one of the best things we can do for our health and longevity.
We cover:
- How Skiing Extends Your Life
- The Physical Benefits That Keep You Young
- Mental Health Advantages You Can’t Ignore
- Equipment and Getting Started Safely
How Skiing Extends Your Life
Okay, let’s get into longevity.
Mortality risk is 50% lower in those who regularly ski and are active than that of inactive, sedentary individuals. That’s huge!
Let’s go to where people live the longest in America. Summit County. Pitkin County. Eagle County. These are three Colorado counties that take the top three spots for life expectancy.
Guess what.
Aspen, Breckenridge, Keystone, Beaver Creek. All world-class ski destinations. That’s no coincidence either.
Skiing as a sport keeps the residents active during brutal winter months when most folks are hibernating in their caves. And speaking of caves, if you’re serious about skiing for your health, make sure to have the right equipment. Once you’re ready to conquer those deep snow conditions, shop the perfect powder skis for safety and performance that keeps you at your best.
Death risk from skiing is extremely low. In fact, there’s less than one fatality per million skier visits. You’re more likely to die canoeing by 100x than skiing down the slopes.
The Physical Benefits That Keep You Young
Skiing works the whole body.
Let’s dive into the physical advantages of skiing as it relates to longevity. We all know skiing engages our legs as we constantly squat and turn on the slopes. We also feel that in our core as we try to keep our balance. Arms and shoulders are engaged in controlling our poles and movements.
But the real secret sauce is interval training.
You’re exerting yourself on runs and then resting on the chairlift as you climb. This type of exercise is fantastic at preserving both muscle mass and cardiovascular health, two key things that deteriorate as we age. It’s this combination of benefits from skiing that helps increase longevity.
Oh, and one more fun fact… Skiing will burn about 400 calories per hour! That’s a lot of calories while playing in the mountains.
Cardiovascular Health
Our hearts love skiing.
Alpine skiing has shown to improve cardiovascular health the same way as cycling or rowing. We’re talking about improved insulin resistance, better body composition, improved glucose metabolism, and a natural drop in blood pressure and heart rate.
Studies show skiing rejuvenates arteries and reverses arterial stiffness. A huge factor in heart disease and Alzheimer’s risk.
Bone and Joint Strength
You might think our knees take a beating from skiing.
Au contraire! Weight-bearing activity from skiing is great for strengthening our bones and joints and preventing osteoporosis. Our knees actually get stronger from supporting our bodies as we twist and turn.
This is important because one of the top five causes of death for elderly people is falls. Skiing as an activity that preserves balance and lower body strength can directly decrease this fall risk.
Muscle Mass Maintenance
We all lose about 10% of our muscle mass per decade after the age of 40.
Skiing combats this decline more aggressively than most exercises. The constant tension on muscles during skiing helps preserve the strength that aerobic exercise just can’t maintain.
Glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves are all working together to maneuver us down the slopes. Core is engaged the entire time as we try to stay balanced.
Mental Health Advantages You Can’t Ignore
Physical is only one side of the equation.
The mental health advantages we get from skiing contributes to longevity as much as the physical activity itself. Being outside in nature and getting fresh air drastically reduces stress and anxiety.
Here’s what researchers have found.
Regular skiers were shown to have more favorable psychological effects. Better mood, decreased stress, and improved sleep quality.
Being out in beautiful mountain scenery while breathing clean alpine air also does wonders for mental clarity. It’s also a sport that’s very social. Friends or meeting new people on the slopes.
That social component is key to living a long and healthy life.
Better Sleep Quality
You’ll sleep like a baby after a day of skiing.
Full-body workouts put our muscles to bed in the best way. Mental relaxation from spending time outdoors and away from our screens. Most skiers report falling asleep fast and sleeping deeply on ski days.
Sleep is directly linked to our longevity and overall health.
Getting Started Safely
Starting skiing later in life is 100% possible.
Research on adults aged 60-76 found that just 12 weeks of skiing created a significant increase in balance, aerobic capacity, strength, and power.
Here are a few tips:
- Start on beginner slopes and work your way up slowly
- Take lessons with certified instructors
- Invest in the right equipment and safety gear
- Listen to your body and rest when you need to
- Stay hydrated even in cold weather
The beauty of skiing is that you can set your own pace. Gentle cruise on groomed runs or as hard as you want on challenging terrain.
Equipment
Don’t skimp on your gear.
Equipment can make skiing safer and more fun. Make sure you have boots properly fitted, skis appropriate for your skill and conditions, and safety essentials like a helmet.
Equipment needs to match your ability and the conditions you’re skiing in. Different snow conditions require different techniques and gear.
Building a Fitness Base
Training during the off-season helps a lot.
Build on exercises that work on leg strength, core stability, and cardiovascular endurance. Squats, lunges, planks, and cardio will help prepare your body for skiing.
Flexibility training through yoga or stretching routines also helps with injury prevention when you get on the slopes.
Making Skiing a Part of Your Lifestyle
Consistency over time is where you see the benefits of skiing for longevity.
You don’t have to ski every day to get the benefits. Regular skiing throughout the season will provide significant health benefits. Even skiing a few times on the weekend still yields improvement in fitness and well-being.
Many ski resorts sell season passes that make it more economical to ski often all winter.
Here are some options:
- Local ski hills for an evening trip
- Weekend trips to bigger resorts
- Multi-day ski vacations a few times per season
- Joining ski clubs for a social network
Ideally, find a sustainable frequency that keeps you on the slopes regularly.
Wrapping It All Up
Skiing for your health is one of the smartest things you can do for your longevity.
Skiing brings together cardiovascular exercise, strength training, balance work, and mental health benefits all into one activity. And the data shows regular skiers live longer with a better quality of life as we age.
Counties with major ski resorts always come out at the top of the list for life expectancy. This is a powerful correlation to take seriously.
Here’s a quick recap of why skiing for health is smart:
- Skiing reduces mortality risk by 50% through regular physical activity
- It helps preserve muscle mass AND cardiovascular health
- Mental health benefits of skiing contribute to longevity
- The sport is accessible all the way into our 80s and beyond
- Death risk from skiing is very low
Don’t let another winter go by without hitting the slopes. Your future self will thank you for all those extra years of health and vitality skiing will provide.
Start planning that first ski trip. Find a local ski resort. Book a lesson. Get the right equipment.
Your longer healthier life is waiting for you out there on the mountains.