When the cold sweeps across the peninsula, one of the best ways to leave the house and enjoy yourself like never before is to spend your time in a healthy and fun way by practising different winter sports. It's true that some of them require a certain level of physical fitness, or at the very least, you should be well-prepared for them.

Winter sports in Spain


Cross-Country Skiing


Cross-country skiing is a snow sport that engages the entire musculature of the body as well as the cardiovascular system. Being in good shape will allow you to enjoy this activity while avoiding any risk of injury. 

Its technique can be learned quickly, so with a short cross-country skiing course, you'll learn everything you need regarding equipment use, how to walk on snow, and all the essentials to carry in your backpack to avoid any mishaps, among other things. 

Want to know more? Read: The Technique of Cross-Country Skiing

 
Once you've completed the course and know how to handle yourself in this sport, you don’t need to go to a ski resort to practise, as you can head to the mountains whenever you want with your own gear. That said, it’s highly advisable to go with people experienced in this sport, and we’d even say it’s mandatory to be accompanied by at least two people. 

What are the areas like where this sport is practised? 

The trails where you can ski are usually less frequented, allowing you to connect with nature and enjoy snow-covered landscapes. Without a doubt, it’s a great way to make the most of your free time.

What are the advantages?

The cost of purchasing cross-country skiing equipment won’t be excessively high, so here’s another advantage to getting started.

How can you enjoy this sport even more?

By preparing thoroughly: the better your physical condition, the farther you can go, and consequently, the more you’ll enjoy it.

Cross-country skiing offers in Spain


Physical Preparation


This sport requires aerobic and muscular work, so physical preparation in this case will help strengthen both aspects. For aerobic exercises, the most beneficial include cycling, running, and swimming, while for muscular preparation, you can go to the gym or do exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, etc.

When starting out, as mentioned earlier, avoid choosing routes that are too challenging and keep in mind that you should stop to rest when your body signals the need or slow down if necessary.

You can begin by training three days a week, alternating days on and off. A possible distribution could be:

  • Day 1. Start with 15 minutes of running at a gentle pace, followed by stretching for about 5 minutes. Combine this with around 10 minutes of muscle work, such as sit-ups and push-ups. Then, run for another 15 minutes using cross-country ski poles to get comfortable: plant them in the ground to also build arm coordination. It’s tough work, but worth it. Alternatively, you can finish by walking for another 15-20 minutes with the poles.
  • Day 2. This is the time to work your entire body. You can do activities like swimming, which improves coordination and endurance. Or, if you prefer, work out at a gym.
  • Day 3. To wrap up the third session, which will help improve your stamina, take your mountain bike out for an hour-long ride; you can also combine this with rollerblading, mimicking the cross-country skiing stride. If neither appeals, you can go running again, but this time, include some sprints.

Cross-country skiing in Huesca


As you’ll see, these exercises are accessible to anyone, so you just need to adapt the timings and activities to your needs. In no time, you’ll notice your stamina improving, and your cross-country skiing outings will become increasingly successful.