1. Mountain Biking: Build Strength and Endurance

While you might not even see the correlation between a bike and a pair of skis, Mountain biking stands out as a top-tier cross-training option for skiers, providing essential strength and endurance benefits. This closely reflects the lower-body activation, balance requirements, and cardiovascular intensity encountered throughout an extended ski run.

Best trails to challenge your balance

Flow trails with berms (banked turns that help you maintain speed and flow) and rollers (small rounded humps that improve rhythm and terrain absorption) are excellent for developing dynamic balance and rhythm, while technical trails with roots, rocks, and variable terrain force constant micro-adjustments — much like changing snow conditions. Make sure you have mountain biking gear that supports long rides, like durable backpacks or a hydration backpack such as the Dakine Shuttle 6L Bike Hydration Backpack, helmets, and gloves. A reliable water bottle is always needed!

Descending while mountain biking builds unique leg strength as you navigate bumps and maintain control, while ascents test your aerobic endurance and mental toughness. Both are essential for maintaining peak performance on the slopes.

How mountain biking improves skiing stamina

Skiing fatigue often comes from staying in a semi-squat position for long periods. Mountain biking builds strength in the quads, glutes, and calves, while also enhancing hip stability and ankle control.
Extended rides enhance cardiovascular efficiency, allowing for quicker recovery between runs and sustained energy as the day progresses — crucial for those powder or backcountry adventures.

2. Trail Running: Improve Agility and Footwork

Trail running hones quick foot placement, sharp reactive balance, and precise coordination — all crucial skills for tackling variable terrain and manoeuvring through moguls on the slopes.

Recommended running trails for varied terrain

When going Trail Running, try and select paths that feature varied surfaces, gentle inclines, and diverse terrain. Equip yourself with trail-appropriate footwear and moisture-wicking socks to enhance both comfort and performance on your journey. Whilst you can use moisture-wicking snow socks if you have them on hand, they are best used for cold conditions; if you’re an avid trail runner it’s best to invest in a quality pair of moisture-wicking running socks. Trail running conditions push your body to continuously adjust, enhancing awareness of position and joint stability. Short, technical runs hold significant value alongside longer endurance efforts, especially when it comes to building ankle strength and enhancing quick reactions.

How uneven surfaces mimic ski slopes

Ski slopes often present a dynamic environment where conditions can change rapidly and unpredictably. Trail running equips you to handle unpredictability by enhancing the stabilising muscles surrounding the knees, ankles, and hips. The ongoing changes needed on trails are akin to navigating through uneven snow, slick surfaces, or the softer conditions of spring skiing.

3. Hiking: Enhance Core Stability and Balance

Hiking might appear less intense than other athletic activities, but it provides substantial advantages for skiers, particularly when considering elevation, pack weight, and terrain challenges.

Long hikes vs short hikes for skier benefits

Extended hikes enhance your aerobic capacity and mental toughness, allowing you to maintain concentration throughout an entire day on the slopes. Short, steep hikes enhance leg strength and climbing efficiency — perfect for skiers looking to excel in touring or sidecountry access. Incorporating a loaded pack enhances core activation and improves postural stability. Invest in supportive hiking boots, a reliable backpack, and technical layers to prepare for winter terrain. If you’re new to technical layers, you can read our article How to Layer Clothing for the Snow and Keep Warm & Dry which explains the difference between base and mid layers. Men's Thermals and Women's Thermals work as your base layer (against your skin) and work to wick away sweat and keep you dry. Mid Layers work as insulation and are lightweight, and breathable and can trap heat to keep you warm.

Gear that prepares you for winter terrain

The layering systems employed for hiking are essential for honing temperature regulation skills, which are crucial when transitioning into winter conditions. Supportive hiking boots enhance ankle and lower leg stability, while trekking poles promote effective upper-body rhythm and coordination — akin to the technique of pole planting in skiing. If you plan to hike regularly, invest in a quality pair of hiking boots to keep your feet and ankles safe and avoid injuries.

4. Paddleboarding: Boost Core Control and Focus

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) serves as an unexpectedly effective training tool for skiers. It enhances balance, core strength, and a calm focus — all essential for tackling tough runs. Think yoga, but on water.

Balance exercises on the board

Engaging in staggered stances, single-leg balance drills, or smooth turns on a paddleboard demands significant core activation. Small waves, wind, or boat wash introduces an additional level of unpredictability that sharpens neuromuscular control and responsiveness. Equip yourself with sun-protective gear such as a UV protective rashie, a sun-safe hat such as the Paddlers Sun Hat or UPF Sun Hat and polarised sunglasses to enhance your comfort during extended sessions.

Translating water balance to snow skills

A powerful and responsive core is essential for maintaining edge control, adapting to terrain variations, and keeping your balance over your skis. Paddleboarding promotes a responsive core and relaxed breathing and mental focus, which can alleviate tension — a frequent contributor to subpar skiing posture.

5. Rock Climbing: Strengthen Upper Body and Mental Resilience

Rock climbing enhances overall body strength, improves grip endurance, and sharpens problem-solving abilities. Although skiing primarily engages the legs, maintaining upper-body stability and mental focus is crucial when navigating technical terrain.

Indoor vs outdoor climbing benefits

Indoor climbing is a structured way to improve your skills and gives you regular chances to practise. Outdoor climbing, on the other hand, tests climbers' navigation skills, awareness of their surroundings, and ability to adapt their techniques. If you wear strong gloves and clothes that can be changed, you will be safe and able to move freely on the climb. Both indoor and outdoor climbing improve the connection between the upper and lower body, which strengthens good movement mechanics.

Mental focus tips for ski preparation

Climbing teaches essential qualities such as patience, commitment, and trust in your movements—attributes that are crucial when tackling steep slopes, navigating through trees, or handling difficult snow conditions while skiing or snowboarding. Maintaining composure in high-stress situations is equally crucial as having physical prowess when tackling the mountain.

Bonus Tips for Outdoor Adventurers Transitioning to Skiing

Need some tunes to keep you upbeat while you’re accelerating your heart rate? Check out our blog on The Best Snowboarding and Skiing Spotify Playlists.

Cross-training techniques without gym equipment

Simple, equipment-free exercises can dramatically boost your skiing performance, and many can be done during outdoor adventures or at home. The best cross training techniques you can do without gym equipment include:
• Bodyweight squats and lunges on uneven ground
• Balance drills using rocks, logs or steps
• Core work such as planks and rotational movements
• Mobility exercises for hips, ankles and thoracic spine

These can easily be incorporated into outdoor adventures or done at home and help your skiing performance when winter rolls around.

Safety and recovery tips for summer outdoor activities

• Use appropriate protective gear for each activity
• Stay hydrated and sun-protected during summer and outdoor adventures – Need a quality insulated water bottle? Grab one today!
• Progress gradually to avoid overuse injuries
• Prioritise recovery, stretching and rest days

Consistency matters more than intensity when preparing for ski season, so don’t go too hard too fast.

Essential Summer Training for Skiers: Aerobic, Strength, and Balance Tips

Even outside of these five adventures, there are key exercises and practices that prepare you for ski season.

Aerobic Conditioning: 3 Days/Week

Activities like hiking, mountain biking, paddleboarding, and trail running all maintain your cardiovascular base. Aim for at least 150 minutes per week of cardio, spread over multiple sessions.

Strength Training: 1 Day/Week

Even one day of lower-body strength work, including squats, lunges, deadlifts, and core exercises, helps maintain the power you need for skiing.

Balance Training: 2–3 Days/Week

Balance exercises can be incorporated into outdoor adventures or at home. Inline skating, stand up paddleboarding, hopping across rocks, or single-leg drills during trail runs all count. This improves stability and proprioception for skiing. What’s proprioception? It’s your body's natural ability to sense where it is, how it is moving, and how much force it is putting on things in space, which is often called the "sixth sense." This lets you move, balance, and coordinate without having to look at your limbs all the time.

Flexibility & Mobility: 2–3 Days/Week

Yoga or targeted stretching helps maintain flexibility and body awareness. Focus on glutes, hamstrings, quads, hip flexors, lower back, and mid-back mobility. Poses like cat/cow, bridges with hip dips, and hip 90/90 stretches are especially helpful.

Integrating these practices ensures you build a complete foundation for skiing while having fun outdoors.

Final Thoughts

Skiing is an all-encompassing, technique-focused activity — and optimal training often takes place outside of the winter season. By engaging in outdoor activities throughout the summer, you'll hit the slopes with enhanced strength, improved balance, and greater confidence. Next thing you know, you’ll be stepping up your skiing ability, and needing to invest in new ski gear! Whether you’re tackling trails, navigating ridgelines, maintaining balance on the water, or scaling rocks, each movement is strategically laying the groundwork for your most successful ski season to date. Don’t forget to check out skis and ski jackets to carry your summer gains onto the slopes.