You’ve given it your all on the slopes, and now it’s time to unwind—and we have just what you need!
Yes, after a day of skiing, we’re offering another session… of exercise! But not just any kind of workout. The goal isn’t to push yourself hard, but rather to gently work your muscles, helping you avoid soreness the next day.
The ideal way to do this is through a stretching or yoga session. This helps improve flexibility, which not only soothes your muscles but also better prepares your body for your next ski run.
Preserve Your Well-being Many skiers experience soreness after a day on the slopes or during their stay. Stretching provides both mental and physical relaxation, acting as a buffer against pain.
A Good Bath Skiing and snowboarding mainly engage your thigh muscles. After a long day on the slopes, it’s essential to pamper your thighs to ensure you’re ready to hit the lifts the next morning! There’s nothing better than a hot bath for this. The heat will help relax your muscles. Don’t hesitate to turn the water temperature up to 40°C to maximize muscle relaxation. For added benefit, finish with a cold shower on your legs. The cold helps prevent calcium leaks from the muscle’s outer layers, aiding muscle recovery. Cold water also has anti-inflammatory effects.
Stretch Yourself Out After intense muscle exertion, perform gentle, short stretches of less than 30 seconds. While standing, grab your foot behind you and slowly pull it toward your glutes. When you reach the maximum muscle tension, hold the position for 30 seconds, then switch legs. In the same standing position, place one foot on a chair or table in front of you (depending on your flexibility) and slowly lean forward to try to reach your foot with your hand. Don’t force it—once you feel maximum tension, even if you can’t touch your foot, hold the position for 30 seconds. Repeat with the other leg.
Massage Yourself You’ve probably seen athletes rush for a massage after a game or competition. Muscle massage is an integral part of athletic recovery, helping the body recover faster from intense effort. Massage relaxes the muscles and has a pain-relieving effect on sore areas. Massage your thighs, both front and back, along the length of the muscle. If you’re in a group, massage each other! You can also extend the massage to your calves, glutes, or even your back. The massage should be firm and deep, and it might even be a little painful if your muscles are sore.
You can also call upon one of Morzine’s massage therapists to ease your muscle pain. Many of them are mobile and can come directly to you in the comfort of your accommodation.
To Wrap It Up… If you feel tired, with heavy and aching legs, give yourself a half-day of rest. Don’t overlook your nutrition either—a good meal with slow-burning carbohydrates and plenty of hydration will help you prepare for the next day’s session. And try not to overindulge in alcohol (a note for the génépi lovers), as it causes dehydration.
Finally, don’t neglect your sleep. Proper rest promotes recovery and ensures you’re fresh and ready to tackle another day on the slopes!
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