Health Benefits of Downhill Skiing: What Are the Pros and Cons?

More information on downhill skiing

Is downhill skiing good for your health? Is it a good sport for everyone? Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skier, here’s a list of the advantages and problematics you may encounter when downhill skiing.

What is downhill skiing?

Downhill skiing is a winter sport whose aim is to get down a snow-covered slope as quickly as possible. It is practiced with skis fully attached to specific boots, and poles for balance.

The origins of this sport can be traced back to Scandinavia, just over 3000 BC. Accessible from an early age, this outdoor sport offers numerous physical and psychological benefits. From beginner to expert, skiing covers several different disciplines (downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super-G, combined and freestyle).

Health benefits and advantages

Alpine skiing is an invigorating sport with many virtues. Here are just a few of them:

• Alpine skiing improves balance, agility and coordination
• Alpine skiing gives you a feeling of freedom and well-being
• Alpine skiing tones the body and helps burn fat
• Alpine skiing stimulates the immune system
• Alpine skiing improves reflexes and decision-making

Drawbacks and disadvantages

Although downhill skiing is accessible to all, it is not recommended in certain cases (respiratory insufficiency, cardiovascular problems, pregnancy, neurological or psychological disorders, children under 18 months, unbalanced diabetes, etc.).

If in doubt, seek medical advice. In addition to the physical effort involved, this discipline is generally practised at altitudes of over 1,500 metres, which puts the body to a severe test. Fatigue, migraines, shortness of breath or lack of sleep – the scarcity of oxygen can have more or less harmful consequences for your health.

The most common pathologies are muscular and tendon problems, sprains, fractures and injuries to the upper and lower limbs. In addition, downhill skiing requires a high level of physical fitness, which makes prior physical training almost mandatory. Finally, it should be noted that some people can suffer from hypothermia. You need to keep well covered and hydrated.