skiing-related stories
Skullcandy
Skullcandy is a brand-name in music listening devices, including headphones, earbuds, MP3 players, hands-free devices and more. Founded in 2003, the highly-successful Skullcandy company was founded on the principle of creating portable audio equipment suited to an active, athletic lifestyle, with a particular emphasis on sports like snowboarding and skateboarding. Skullcandy's products are aimed at action sport enthusiasts but have reached a much wider demographic -- appealing to sporty and non-sporty types alike.
Sold in over 40 countries worldwide, Skullcandy products are known for their unique, hip hop-inspired design and their versatility throughout a variety of activities. Their ear buds are particularly popular, having been dubbed the "world's coolest ear bud" by CNN Money.
Workout Options for Winter
Whether you want to stay toasty indoors or you're ready to brave the cold, AOL Health has a list of fun winter workouts, including:
- Mall walking. Believe it or not, this can be a decent workout. Try circling the mall several times before slowing to a window-shopping pace. And be sure to check with your local mall; some have walking clubs and open the doors early for walkers.
- Dance. Whether you're just moving to some tunes in your living room, following a dance exercise DVD or hitting the club with some friends, dancing can be a great workout.
- Ski or snowboard. Both downhill and cross-country skiing are excellent sources of activity. And they're exhilarating, too!
- Snowshoe. It may look easy, but walking with snowshoes is an intense activity. Use poles for balance and cross over an open field or walk along a snow-covered path.
For more ideas, check out the full article on AOL Health.
Winter Sports - How Not to Get Hurt
Skiing, skating, sledding ... whatever your winter passion, you don't have to give it up when the mercury drops into the "It's how cold?" zone. Experts say that whatever your reason is for staying inside in the winter weather, the cold shouldn't be one of them. Exercising even in the coldest of winter weather is perfectly safe for most people. (Talk to your doc, of course, if you have a health condition like asthma or heart disease.)
Exercising in the cold might be safe, but that doesn't mean you don't have to adapt when ice, snow, and frigid temps strike. Forbes has several tips for avoiding wintertime injuries, including warming up, conditioning specifically for your sport, and knowing your limits.
Go Green With Winter Sports Equipment
I don't know what it's like where you live, but outside my window there's very little green to be seen. Everything is covered in a thick and frosty layer of white. But just because you don't see much green, doesn't mean you can't go green when it comes to winter sports. As an added perk ... you'll end up with more green in your wallet. - Rent. If you hit the ski hill only once or twice a year, you really don't need to own your equipment.
- Buy used. Ebay, used sporting goods stores, and sites likes Craig's List and Freecycle are great places to search for sports equipment. Keep your eye out for skis, snowboards, skates, hockey gear, and other winter treasures.
- Equipment swap. Many ski clubs hold equipment swaps where you can bring in your unused gear and look for something new (to you, anyway). If you have a child on a hockey league or other winter sport, consider setting up an equipment swap with other parents.
If you've got old equipment that's really not fit for use anymore, try to find a new purpose for it and keep it out of a landfill. I unloaded a ridiculously old set of skis on Freecycle last fall; the person who picked them up is going to attach them to the bottom of a large crate so he can easily tow his gear across the ice on his way to his ice-fishing shanty. You just never know what use people can get out of old items.
How Fast Do You Ski? Find Out With the Silva S1 Speedometer

If you ski, you know that it feels like you're flying down those hills. But how fast are you really going? Twenty miles an hour? 40? 50 or 60 ... thousand miles per hour?
Now, I know there's a lot of gear involved in skiing, but if you're a speed demon, you should probably add the Silva S1 Speedometer to your list of necessities. Designed just for Nordic and alpine skiers and snowboarders, it measures ground speed as well as distance traveled."Utilizing advanced radar technology, the speedometer calculates your speed and distance and wirelessly transmits all the information to the versatile receiver which can be worn via a carabiner, wrist band, or lanyard." And that's not all.
Jack Nicholson Loves Skiing
Jack Nicholson has seen better days. Having slowly gone from hunk to chunk over the past few years, the former ladies man has been sporting a bit of a paunch over the last little while. But that doesn't mean he's become lazy -- the Hollywood superstar has been spending the holidays skiing in Aspen. And, at 71, he's certainly not letting age slow him down. If he keeps it up, his paunch will be gone in no time -- a six-hour day of moderately-paced downhill skiing can burn nearly 2,500 calories, which more than makes up for the 200+ calorie Irish coffee you're sure to enjoy by the fire in the apres-ski lounge.
Winter Sports - Keep Safe in the Snow
Keep safe while sporting in the snow by following these tips:
- Wear a helmet approved for your specific sport.
- Protect your eyes with goggles.
- Wear appropriate clothing.
- Use additional safety gear when it is available (e.g. hockey pads).
- Don't drink before skiing or snowboarding, and don't participate when you're not feeling well.
- Avoid hazardous conditions such as ice-coated sledding hills.
- Use approved areas for ice skating, skiing, snowmobiling and sledding.
Kate Hudson - Skiing for the Holildays

Here at That's Fit, we're all about fitting in fitness during the holidays by finding ways to get the exercise we need -- even when time is short. It seems Kate Hudson is fanatical about fitness too -- she's spending her Christmas holidays hitting the slopes with her family. According to Female First, Kate recently told reporters, "Every year we go to Colorado because we grew up there and we ski." Even her 4-year-old son is into the winter sport. Recalls Hudson, 29: "He [was] just zooming down the mountain and I started to cry. I grew up skiing, and then you see your kids ski and there's a freedom in it, it's beautiful." Good for Kate -- starting 'em young is a great way to get them fit for life.
Love skiing? Be glad you do -- five hours of skiing burns over 2,000 calories!
Winter Workouts - Your Favourite Way to Exercise When It's Cold Outside

Brr, it's cold outside! At least where I live, anyway. For me, this means a temporary halt on my daily walks and runs. Despite having grown up in Canada, I just can't stand the cold. Although I will sometimes put my feelings aside for a mountain of fresh powder on the ski hill ...
What about you? Last week, I asked you what your favourite winter outdoor sport is -- here's what you had to say:
- 27 percent of you choose to enjoy winter curled up by the fire with a warm drink. I'm with you.
- 23 percent of you love skiing and/or snowboarding.
- 11 percent of you get fit by cross-country skiing.
- 7 percent of you have fun ice skating.
- And 23 percent of you don't even live in a place where it snows.
What's Your Favourite Way to get Fit in Winter?

Here at That's Fit, we're constantly telling you what we think about things, but sometimes it's nice to know what you think. So from time to time, we'll ask you a question. Don't be afraid to speak up -- we love feedback.
A few days ago, I asked you if you brave the cold weather to exercise outdoors. Many of you do, so today, I'm wondering how you exercise outdoors.
Fit Gifts for Adventurous Souls
You can find adventure sport gear or accessories that fit any budget. Do keep in mind that certain items -- especially wearables such as helmets -- require a certain fit, so be sure to purchase items that can be easily exchanged if they don't fit correctly. Check out the gallery for some ideas.
How to Pack for Winter Outdoor Adventures
- Chris Figenshau is a photographer, but you won't find him in a comfy studio. Instead, Figenshau spends more than 100 days a year following elite skiers. Some of the things you'll find in his backpack are dark shades with side hoods, a pole with an ice ax to help when walking on icy snow, and he swears by the light and easy to maneuver Obsethed skis by K2.
- Victoria Jealouse, snowboarder, brings a quality thermos filled with hot tea or soup, lip balm with sunscreen, a first aid and repair kit, and a satellite phone. Though it may not be something most want to discuss, she also brings the Freshette, which allows her to go to the bathroom without exposing everything to the icy-cold wind.
Fit Gifts for Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend
Fitness can be fun, and it's a great way to spend time together. So think about the different activities you enjoy and find a way you can do them together. Check out the gallery for some ideas.
Can't Wait to Hit the Slopes? Better Get In Shape First
Maggie just told you to head indoors for your winter workouts. I'm with her. But some of you may be dreaming of working out in a winter wonderland. If skiing and snowboarding are in your future, make sure you're in shape before you hit the slopes. Divine Caroline has some training tips you should consider.- Work your core. Sports like skiing and snowboarding require balance and core strength. Your core comprises your abdominals, obliques, lower back, and hips and helps your body remain stable during a variety of activities.
- Train your strength. You'll need strong muscles and joints in the snow, especially knee and hip joints and everything surrounding them. Work on your upper body strength too -- focus on triceps, shoulders, and your back so you'll be a pro with your poles.
- Flex your body. Skiiers and snowboarders need flexibility. So get stretching, and don't neglect the hamstrings, quads, hips, calves, IT band, piriformis, and lower back. Might as well get the upper back, chest, and shoulders too. Stretch at least three to four times per week after your muscles are warmed up.
- Pump up your cardio. Your heart and lungs need a workout too. Build your endurance with running, swimming, jumping rope (here are five reasons you should be jumping rope) aerobics, sports like soccer, climbing stairs, cycling, kickboxing, and more. Take your pick, and stick with it four to six times per week for 30 to 60 minutes a pop.
Come to think of it, this advice seems good for all-around fitness. No matter what your sport or goals, give these four a go and see how your body transforms. And for guidance on specific exercises to help you capitalize on these training tips, check out Divine Caroline here.
Take Your Outdoor Adventures Indoors
Do you spend your summer seeking outdoor adventures? Mountain biking on rugged trails or scaling the face of a rocky mountain? While opportunities for your favorite outdoor adventures may not be so numerous in winter, you can still get your adrenaline rush indoors.Men's Health shares four amazing indoor adventure sports centers across the country. But you may be able to find something a little closer to home. For example, in my neck of the woods there's an awesome rock climbing wall at the community center, a rowing pool at a local rowing club, and an indoor skating/biking facility just a couple hours away.
And don't forget about all the incredible adventure sports -- such as snowboarding and skiing -- winter has to offer as well. AOL Health has 11 fun winter fitness activities to try.




























