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⛰️Have Fun, Stay Active, Stay Fit During the Off-Season

To All Ski Racing Parents,
I hope you’re enjoying the spring weather and finding time to relax after a great race season! As we look ahead to next winter, there are lots of fun and effective ways to help your racers stay active and build their strength, agility, and confidence over the off-season.

Here are a few suggestions that are great for ski racing development:

🚵‍♂️ Mountain Biking (MTB)

Mountain biking is a ski racer favorite! Juli Furtado, a former ski racer from Stratton Mountain School in Vermont took it to the extreme, becoming one of mountain biking’s first National Champions! During a sports injury recovery she fell in love with mtb'ing and ran with it, becoming a national champion in both road and mtb'ing and representing the United States in Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Besides being a very healthy activity, it's one of the next best ways to experience the mountains.

Author's Mtb, Taking a Break, Moab Utah, Spring 2024

In terms of benefits to ski racers, mtb’ing offers one of the best ways to build balance, leg strength, and quick reaction time decision-making —all critical skills for ski racing!

To learn more about Mountain Biking, a most-excellent local resource, the Dubuque Scholastic Mountain Bike Team -- another great parent-run team, like SRT, in Dubuque!

Check out the Dubuque Scholastic Mountain Bike Team for spring rides and early summer races…it’s never too late to join!

🥾 Trail Running & Hiking

Trail running helps racers develop endurance and foot agility. Try mixing in local hikes to build strength and keep it fun. Dubuque has great trails at Swiss Valley, Mines of Spain, and EB Lyons Nature Center. For the most motivated athletes try Hill Sprints. IMHO, Hill Sprints and hiking with a weighted backpack has 1 to 1 payback in ski racing leg strength. Tip: Use Soda or Milk Jugs filled with water so you can dump the weight at the top and hike down with lightweight pack, protecting your knees.

⚽ Soccer or Other Agility Sports

Team sports like soccer are fantastic for coordination, agility, and reaction time—plus they’re fun and social, which keeps kids moving and motivated. Short field or pick-up soccer was always one of my favorite sports year round. At US Ski Team camps, we would play out in the parking lots.

🏋️‍♂️ Strength Training (for U14 & Up)

As racers get older, strength training becomes increasingly important. Focus on core, legs, and mobility. Work with a certified trainer or school coach to ensure proper form and safety.

🎿 Summer or Fall Ski Camps

If your family is interested, there are several great summer or early-season ski camps that offer on-snow training. These can be a great way to make progress before the snow flies locally! The best source for off-season or pre-season camps is to keep an eye on SkiRacing.com. 

📺 Watch World Cup Races & Training Videos Together

Break out the popcorn and watch World Cup races as a family! YouTube has tons of free race footage and drills. Watching technique, race line, and tactics helps racers develop a visual model for success.

The more your kids move, the more ready they’ll be when ski season rolls back around! Feel free to reach out if you’d like suggestions for gear, camps, or training resources.

Enjoy your off-season and see you on the hill soon!

— Coach Mya

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