Dedicated to pushing innovation in splitboarding since 2006.
866.725.2085
Email: sales@sparkrandd.com
Spark R&D
P.O. Box 3284, Bozeman, MT 59772 USA
Summer is ending, cooler temps are on the way, and that means snowfall will be entering the chat soon. With that comes a point of realization: fitness. Maybe you have already started a splitboard training program for this winter, maybe you haven't. Either way, it's not too late
Starting your season without a solid baseline is exhausting. Your group gets ahead quickly and you become the person everyone is waiting for. Avoid the struggle with some preparation and fine tuning.
The best place to start is by simply moving your body. Put yourself in the mindset of doing something physical everyday - walking, biking, running, whatever gets you out the door. That one small commitment sets you up for success and starts building a stronger fitness base. With your body warmed up and feeling more nimble, you'll notice the benefits both mentally and physically. Daily movement pushes your brain, muscles, and joints in the right direction.
Here in the Western States, hunting is a surprisingly great way to get physically and mentally dialed for the season, especially as these months close in on winter. Chasing upland birds and stalking big game through the mountains gets your body prepared in ways the gym can't replicate. There is nothing like climbing vert and side-hilling with a pack off-trail to build those stability muscles and put your mind back in the mountains. Those long days get extra burly when you have to pack out an animal, but with a successful harvest comes wild game jerky, strong legs, and a head start on your winter fitness.
Backpacking, hiking and climbing are also fantastic opportunities to build fitness while spending time outside. Like splitboarding, you carry at least a day pack, replicating the weight you’d bring on a winter excursion. Hiking and climbing lets you push yourself in a mountain setting while building the stability muscles you need on the skin track. Each step on a rock, root, or uneven trail provides a unique challenge that the gym simply cannot. Unlike a treadmill, trails throw mis-matched steps and new obstacles at you around every corner, making it one of the closest workouts to splitboarding you can find. As a bonus, hiking, backpacking, climbing and hunting give you the opportunity to scope your winter zones, plan future routes, and get a feel for what's underneath the snow before the season begins.
Now, some people find the idea of hiking a bit mundane. Slow pace, low adrenaline and not for everyone. That's where mountain biking comes in. Mountain biking is a fantastic way to build route-finding skills and inject some adrenaline into your splitboard fitness plan. It builds cardio, balance, and leg strength while keeping things at a good spice level. That uphill grind and downhill reward are remarkably similar to splitboarding. Riding downhill on a mountain bike sharpens your quick-twitch reactions and trains you to read terrain fast and accurately. Just remember, bare ground hurts a lot more than snow, so keep your wits about you and stay healthy for those winter turns.
Maybe you don't have direct access to the mountains, or life just doesn't allow for a big adventure right now. That's where the gym comes in. A solid strength training program, whether with a personal trainer, a group class, or your own self-motivated routine, is an ideal way to get prepared. Many mountain towns have dedicated split and ski fitness programs that target the key muscle groups as the season approaches. If yours doesn't, don't let that stop you. There is plenty of great guidance online to help you build a program that works.
The best part about a fitness journey is that you can tackle it in so many ways. Gyms, biking, and hunting can all get expensive, but all you truly need is the willpower to get up and move. Head out to your backyard or a neighborhood park and get into some bodyweight exercises. Up the ante with some heavy rocks or stumps if you're feeling creative. Do not be afraid to get unconventional. And remember, if all you do before the season is walk and stretch every day, that can be enough to at least get you started.
See you on the skin track.
