Skiing is the perfect sport for your overall well-being, because when skiing in healthy mountain air all of your muscles are trained. It differs from many other sports that only put a strain on individual muscle groups.
In addition, the atmosphere in the snow-covered mountain world influences your mood for the better, and this collective experience with like-minded enthusiasts is a further boost to your mental and spiritual well-being.
Of course, anyone who has been on a ski holiday knows all that instinctively, but now it has been scientifically proven, by studies conducted by the University of Salzburg and the University of Innsbruck, both in Austria.
What we might not realise is that our ski holiday not only brings benefits while we’re on the slopes, but also improves our ”coordinative abilities” giving an increase in safety in our everyday life, and enhancing our quality of life in the longer term.
This fact was confirmed by the University of Salzburg in an extensive study headed by Prof Dr Erich Müller, which found that Alpine skiing is also among the sports with a relatively low risk of injury but increases strength, speed and stamina.
Both studies found that going up into the mountains, being closer to the warming sun, and getting away from the long shadows of cities, has positive effects on the psyche of a person of any age.
Exercising in the oxygen-rich mountain air in bright sunlight is an ideal combination, stimulating the senses, strengthening muscles, and increasing the number of red blood cells, which promotes oxygen content
Prof Dr Schobersberger, Director of the Institute for Sports, Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism in Innsbruck, found that the constant alternation between muscular exertion and relaxation in a day on the slopes was also good for you.
This sustained cycle of action/inaction improves the metabolism, and has a positive effect on blood circulation. The muscle relaxation phases on the ski lift are vital to ensure optimal fitness gains.
The Zillertal region in the Tirol has enthusiastically reported the findings of the studies, which it believes highlights the value of a holiday in one of their villages – leading to spiritual benefits as well as physical ones.
“Sitting together sociably in the best restaurants in the Alps and relaxing on the large sun terraces with a view of the snow-covered peaks of numerous three-thousand-metre mountains are balm for the soul,” said a statement from the region.
Together with gaining vitality, targeted regeneration is also particularly important for those on holiday.
“Swimming, relaxing … this is simply part of a successful stay. Targeted treatments from the standpoint of sports medicine are by all means useful,” said Prof Dr Schobersberger in an interview.
Spa facilities, increasingly common in-resort, are seen as just an added bonus to the benefits of a mountain sports holiday.
Again, there’s the combination of activity and relaxation with the added availability of body treatments and relaxing massages. Spas provide atmospheric lighting effects and stimulating fragrances, which brings about a sense of tranquillity, replenishing your vitality and energy during your ski holiday, and hopefully back at home also.
The studies conclude that ski holidays are the perfect combination of muscular exertion on the slopes, and muscle relaxation on the lifts. Furthermore, sleep is regenerative at altitude in the oxygen-rich mountain air.
Or to make a long scientific report short – snow sports make you healthy, and happy.
