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How many calories do we burn with downhill skiing?
All you need to know about downhill skiing
Do you know how many calories you can burn when doing alpine skiing for 30 minutes or 1 hour? By entering your overall activity time and your weight in kilos, you can get an idea of how many calories you burn doing downhill skiing.
Alpine skiing: A few examples of energy expenditure depending on weight and activity time.
Use the table below to see how many calories you can burn skiing on the slopes!
Downhill skiing
Light intensity
Expenditure in Kilocalories
| Weight | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 kg | 53 | 105 | 210 |
| 50 kg | 66 | 131 | 263 |
| 60 kg | 79 | 158 | 315 |
| 70 kg | 92 | 184 | 368 |
| 80 kg | 105 | 210 | 420 |
| 90 kg | 118 | 236 | 473 |
Downhill skiing
Moderate intensity
Kilocalorie expenditure
| Weight | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 kg | 63 | 126 | 252 |
| 50 kg | 79 | 158 | 315 |
| 60 kg | 95 | 189 | 378 |
| 70 kg | 110 | 221 | 441 |
| 80 kg | 126 | 252 | 504 |
| 90 kg | 142 | 284 | 567 |
Downhill skiing
High intensity
Expenditure in Kilocalories
| Weight | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 kg | 84 | 168 | 336 |
| 50 kg | 105 | 210 | 420 |
| 60 kg | 126 | 252 | 504 |
| 70 kg | 147 | 294 | 588 |
| 80 kg | 168 | 336 | 672 |
| 90 kg | 189 | 378 | 756 |
See detailed calculations and metabolic equivalent for alpine skiing
All you need to know about downhill skiing
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DOWNHILL SKIING
Alpine skiing, also known as downhill skiing, lets you hurtle down the slopes. Poles are used to help skiers make turns (who hasn’t seen the famous pole plant in Les bronzés font du ski).
Although it will take many years for this sport to gain Olympic credentials, it would be inconceivable to do without it today, given the sheer magnitude of the spectacle.
Among the disciplines covered by alpine skiing are:
- Downhill
- Slalom
- Giant slalom
- Super-G
- Combined
- Freestyle
Alpine skiing is a popular winter sport that involves skiing down snow-covered slopes. It’s an exciting and stimulating activity that offers many physical and mental benefits. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skier, downhill skiing can be an exciting experience in the snowy mountains.
Some benefits of doing downhill skiing:
- Muscle strengthening: Downhill skiing involves many of the body’s muscles, including the legs, thighs, glutes, abdominals and upper body muscles. Downhill runs, turns and ski control movements help to strengthen muscles and tone the body.
- Improved balance and coordination: Alpine skiing requires good balance and precise coordination to control the skis in different situations, such as turns and jumps. This can improve proprioception, core stability and overall body coordination.
- Improved endurance and fitness: Alpine skiing is a physical activity that stimulates the cardiovascular system, improving endurance and overall fitness. Climbing the slopes, gliding down the slopes and repeating runs all contribute to improving cardiorespiratory capacity.
- Mental stimulation: Alpine skiing requires mental concentration and rapid decision-making to navigate the slopes, assess snow conditions and anticipate obstacles. This can stimulate cognitive function, mental reactivity and problem-solving ability.
- Connecting with nature: Alpine skiing is generally practised in beautiful natural environments, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. This offers an immersive experience in the midst of nature, promoting relaxation, connection with the environment and an overall sense of well-being.
- Fun and entertainment: Alpine skiing is first and foremost a recreational activity that provides fun and entertainment. The sensation of sliding, the speed, the dizzying descents and the pleasure of sharing these moments with friends and family make downhill skiing a unique and memorable experience.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or simply looking to enjoy the beauty of snow-covered mountains, downhill skiing offers many physical, mental and emotional benefits. Don’t forget to wear the right ski equipment, including a helmet and warm clothing, and follow the safety rules on the slopes to get the most out of this winter experience.
How to calculate the number of calories burned doing alpine skiing
The result displayed is expressed in Kcal and is calculated from the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task). The MET for each activity is the result of statistical data and cannot therefore be interpreted as an exact calculation, but rather as an estimate taking into account the MET value and the ratio between the time spent on an activity and the weight of the individual.
For example: the MET value for downhill skiing is a moderate 6. This means that a moderate downhill skier consumes 6 times more energy than when resting during a day’s skiing.
MET values for different levels of downhill skiing intensity
- Alpine skiing low intensity: MET = 5
- Moderate-intensity downhill skiing: MET = 6
- High-intensity downhill skiing: MET = 8
Discover the detailed formula to calculate your daily energy expenditure while doing alpine skiing
Consumption in Kcal per minute = (MET*3.5*Weight in kilos)/200
For a person weighing 70 kilos for 30 minutes:
Consumption in Kcal per minute = (6*3.5*70)/200 = 7.35 Kcal/mn
So for 30 minutes = 7.35*30 = 220.5 kcal for 30 minutes
