Switching Seasons: Making the Transition from Trail Running to Ski Running & Ski Mountaineering

All of these facets can be easily transferred to ski mo racing.

 Endurance: Long Slow Distance 

Running on technical terrain helps with balance and core strength Sierre -Zinal, Switzerland When it gets tough, the tough keep going. In ski mo racing, as in trail running, it is not easy but it is rewarding. Often times in skimo racing there are technical sections to be done of foot. Being comfortable in technical terrain is important. For me, my comfort level on rock and in alpine terrain is very helpful when traversing ridges or arêtes in a race setting. Often races have technical boot pack sections where mountaineering skills come in handy It is important to keep up with your core and strength training a couple times a week. So much of skiing, especially downhill in difficult conditions does require new muscles. One thing you can do early season is 2x a week do some core and plyo sessions concentrating on the legs, core and arms.

Race Starts are fast. Always Practice your starts many times

Race starts are fast and all out but it is important to know how to regulate and find your race pace after the first 30 seconds. It might be important to jockey for position in the first 30 seconds but then you should get into a rhythm that you are comfortable holding for the first climb.

•  Your running intervals and speed training can be easily transferred to skis once your base is formed. Be careful not to do your intervals at too high an altitude or you will struggle with both performance and recovery. 

Nina running in Mont Blanc Ultra Trail CCC in sub freezing temps

Trail runners and mountaineers are resilient. Such was the case of the 2012 North Face Ultra Trail where runners faced  in climate weather of snow, sleet and freezing rain. This resiliency can be transferred to ski mountaineering when skiers are often faced with wind, cold, blizzard conditions but also amazing bluebird days.

Resiliency

Mont Blanc Ultra Trail CCC- Well prepared for all weather Nina finished 3rd in her age group in the CCC 2012 Ultra Trail Having the appropriate equipment is essential to ones success in both trail running and ski mountaineering racing  Its important to have the essential equipment for ski touring

The biomechanics of running transfers easily to ski-touring and our bodies often see this change as a welcome break from pounding on the hard earth. Though much of ski mountaineering racing on the flatter sections relates to x-country skiing as we begin to climb, it is quite similar to trail running and the climbing we do on trails.

Gear Intensive

In ski mountaineering you have more than the shoes but the additional gear to go up and downhill on skis. It is important to practice your transitions. Taking skins on and off. Putting your skis on your backpack as fast as you can. This is where you can gain minutes in a race.

Proper fueling is essential in all temperatures  A Camelbak works well. Or a water bottle. You want to be careful in cold temperatures that it does not freeze. For longer races I usually fuel with Hammer Nutrition Heed or Perpetuum. I take the occasional gel.

Nina Gliding to an Historic World Cup Gold Medal in Tromso, Norway

Often runners try to run uphill on their skis but it's best to try and maximize the glide on skis to avoid the choppy running pace. It expends more energy than needed and is not as fast. Practicing Cadence and High Turnover on hills  Practicing keeping your cadence high when going uphill is important. It often helps to go behind someone and fall in stride with them. Think about when climbing on a bike and how a high turnover is important. Like leg speed turnover in running, it can be applied to ski mountaineering.

Often you do run in ski mountaineering races.  It's important to keep up your running throughout the winter at least 1-2x a week for muscle memory. Practice running with all your equipment I have made the mistake in the past to not do any winter running and then jumped into the trail running season. Though I had a very high fitness from ski touring, I had not run regularly in the winter months and my muscles were not yet trained. I suffered injuries throughout the trail running season due to jumping back into running racing too fast.

Often winter running conditions prepare us for winter ski touring and mountaineering

Ski Ascent of Mont Blanc. Endurance of Mont Blanc in a day

After a long season of ski mountaineering I was well prepared for an ascent of Mont Blanc from my house, round trip in 12 hours and over 12,000 feet of elevation and home in time to pick up my boys from school.

Spring Mountaineering on Skis The Y Couloir- Aiguille d'Argentiere The core and strength fitness that has been developed in the summer months can be equally transferred just as long as one is well prepared and knowledgeable of the avalanche dangers. Make sure you are well equipped with knowledge and gear to move safely in the mountains.  Sierra Mountain Guides, based in the Eastern Sierra and operating worldwide, offers ski mountaineering programs, avalanche awareness courses, and custom guided programs to help you get on track toward preparing for and accomplishing your ski mountaineering ambitions.

If you are new to ski mountaineering racing and would like to find out more information on upcoming races, check out The United States Ski Mountaineering Association  or feel free to contact Nina directly with any training or racing questions at her own website www.ninasilitch.com.