Your first day back on skis has a way of exposing every lazy week of summer. Two runs in, your quads burn and your bed back at the inn starts looking good. A few weeks of skiing workouts before the lifts start turning fixes that, and the midcoast of Maine is a great place to put in the work.
That’s especially true in Camden, where the Camden Snow Bowl sits with a view of the ocean from the summit. Book directly with Camden Harbour Inn and you can train on the same hills you’ll ski, then recover at our on-site spa and restaurant.
When Should You Start Skiing Workouts?
Start six to eight weeks before your first ski day. That’s the window a Cleveland Clinic sports medicine specialist recommends, beginning with bodyweight exercises if you’re new to training. Aim for two or three sessions a week.
For Maine skiers, that timeline lines up with foliage season. Start in early October and your legs will be ready when the snow flies.
5 Workouts Every Skier Needs
Build your routine around these exercises and add difficulty each week.
- Wall sits: Slide your back down a wall until your knees bend to 90 degrees, then hold. The American Council on Exercise said this builds the isometric strength you need for a tuck. Add a few seconds to your hold each week.
- Squats and lunges: The council recommends both for the lower-body strength that tough terrain like moguls demands.
- One-legged squats: The council lists this move for building balance and strength together. Hold the back of a chair until you can stand without it.
- Lateral bounds: Leap sideways off one foot, land on the other and stick the landing. The Ski Utah preseason plan calls for three sets of 15 per side.
- Hill repeats: Take your cardio outside. The Mount Battie Trail in Camden Hills State Park climbs a half-mile to a 780-foot summit topped by a stone tower. The state rates it moderate to strenuous, with steep pitches and some scrambling. Start at the end of Megunticook Street, climb and repeat.
Local tip: Before the snow arrives, the Snow Bowl’s multi-use trail network connects to nearly 25 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Hiking Ragged Mountain in the fall builds fitness for skiing and gives you a preview of the terrain.
Recover Between Sessions In Camden
Among spa resorts in Maine, The Spa at Camden Harbour Inn has two massages built for tired legs:
- Deep Tissue/Neuromuscular Therapy: This technique works on individual areas of muscle tension.
- Balinese Massage: This treatment combines deep tissue work, Thai stretches and aromatherapy.
Both come in 60- or 90-minute sessions.
Snow Pain, Snow Gain At Camden Harbour Inn
Put in the skiing workouts now and your first run of the season will feel like your tenth. When you compare Camden, Maine, luxury hotels, look for one that puts your training trail, your massage and your dinner within reach of each other.
Book directly with Camden Harbour Inn to plan your ski getaway. Give us a call at 800-236-4266 or email info@camdenharbourinn.com. For more ideas, read our Camden travel blog. See you on the slopes.