Five days on the mountain. First lifts, long runs and 300km+ of Arlberg terrain waiting outside the chalet door. Here's how to get mountain-ready for our first-ever Salt Ski Escape.
Five days on the mountain. First lifts, long runs and 300km+ of Arlberg terrain waiting outside the chalet door.
Our first-ever Salt Ski Escape is built for confident skiers who want to make their mountain time count. Now, you don't need to overhaul your life, but arriving with strong legs, decent fitness and the right kit will make those five days a lot more fun.
Here's how to get mountain-ready.
1. BUILD YOUR SKI LEGS
You know the feeling. First ski day: flying. Second ski day: quads beginning to ask questions. Day three: stairs suddenly seem unnecessarily difficult.
A little strength work before you travel goes a long way.
Focus on the muscles doing most of the work on the mountain: quads, glutes, hamstrings and core. Squats, lunges, split squats, step-ups and wall sits are all your friends here.
You don't need to completely overhaul your training. Start adding ski-focused strength work around 6 to 8 weeks before you travel, building gradually as the trip gets closer.
SALT TIP: Don't forget single-leg work. Skiing asks a lot of each leg independently, so Bulgarian split squats, single-leg deadlifts and step-ups deserve a spot in the programme.
2. GET YOUR ENGINE READY
Skiing might involve chairlifts, but five full days on the mountain still demands decent cardiovascular fitness, especially when you're skiing at altitude.
Running, cycling, rowing, Hyrox-style conditioning or anything else that gets your heart rate up will help. Aim for a mix of longer, steady sessions and shorter, harder efforts.
The goal isn't to arrive exhausted from training. It's to have enough in the tank that you're still enjoying the final runs of Friday.
3. DON'T IGNORE MOBILITY
Ankles locked into ski boots. Knees bent. Hips working overtime. Skiing asks your body to spend a lot of time in positions your desk job probably doesn't.
In the weeks before the trip, give some extra attention to ankle, hip and thoracic mobility.
And once we're in Oberlech? We've got you. Yoga and mobility sessions are built into the week, alongside sauna and cold-water recovery back at the chalet.
Because tomorrow, we go again.
4. CHECK YOUR KIT BEFORE THE AIRPORT
This is not the moment to discover your ski socks have disappeared since last winter.
Do a proper kit check a couple of weeks before you travel. At minimum, think:
- Ski jacket + salopettes
- Base layers
- Mid-layer or fleece
- Proper ski socks
- Helmet
- Goggles + spare lens if you have one
- Ski gloves
- Neck warmer/buff
- SPF + lip balm
- Sunglasses
- Small backpack
- Something comfortable for the chalet
And please don't pack six pairs of thick socks to wear inside your ski boots. One good pair is better.
5. SKI FIT, NOT WRECKED
One final thing: you don't need to peak for this trip.
The aim of your preparation is to arrive feeling strong, mobile and ready to ski, not hobble into Oberlech after eight weeks of suddenly training twice a day.
Build gradually. Keep moving. Prioritise sleep and recovery as the trip approaches.
Then save the big effort for where it belongs.
On the mountain.
READY FOR FIRST TRACKS?
Five ski days. 18 confident skiers. One ski-in, ski-out chalet high in the Austrian Arlberg.
S
Written by
Salt Escapes Team
Salt Escapes
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