The transition to winter starts well before the first snowfall. If you want to hit the slopes with confidence, it’s all about moving, fueling, and recovering with intention. Pro skier and hiking guide Nat Segal shares her top pre-season training tips to help you build strength, energy, and resilience in time for opening day.
Why Pre-Season Training Really Matters
Skiing demands explosive power, endurance, agility, and a strong mind-body connection. You’re engaging your legs, core, balance, and focus, all at once.
Training before the season kicks off helps you:
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Prevent injuries, especially to your knees
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Build stamina to enjoy longer, more consistent ski days
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Recover faster, so you can get more days on the mountain
The better you train now, the more you’ll enjoy the slopes later, without the soreness slowing you down.
Nat Segal’s 4 Pillars for Pre-Season Prep
|
Focus Area |
Why It Matters |
Tips from Nat |
|
Set Realistic Goals |
Align with your schedule, not against it |
Follow a plan you can stick to all season, not a short sprint that burns you out. |
|
Train Smart |
Make your workouts ski-specific |
Prioritize exercises for quads, glutes, core, and knee stability. |
|
Fuel + Hydrate Naturally |
Support performance and recovery |
Power up with food and hydration, and trust GURU for clean and natural energy with no crash. |
|
Rest & Active Recovery |
Keep progress sustainable |
Schedule full rest days and easy outdoor sessions to reset and restore. |
Key Exercises to Include in Your Pre-Season Routine
Strength & Power
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Squats, lunges, glute bridges, and single-leg deadlifts
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Plyometrics: jump squats, lateral bounds, single-leg hops
Cardiovascular Endurance
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30–60 min of steady-state cardio (bike, run, hike)
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Intervals: 30–90 seconds of intensity followed by recovery
Balance & Proprioception
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Single-leg stability work (BOSU, balance boards)
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Dynamic agility drills: ski motion mimics, lateral jumps
Flexibility & Mobility
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Targeted stretching (hamstrings, quads, hips)
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Active mobility: leg swings, hip openers, trunk rotations
Powering up with GURU, Naturally
When the effort ramps up, Nat turns to GURU:
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A clean and natural energy boost to power through intense workouts
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Organic ingredients that respect your body
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No fake stuff, just real energy, no sugar crashes or artificial sweeteners
Whether she’s in the gym or out on the trail, GURU keeps her moving.
Sample Training Timeline
|
Weeks Before Season |
Weekly Sessions |
Suggested Combo |
|
6–8 Weeks Out |
3–4 sessions/week |
1 strength + 1 cardio + 1 mobility/balance + 1 active rest |
|
2 Weeks Out |
2–3 lighter sessions |
Lower volume, maintain quality, prioritize recovery |
Pro tip: Start slow and steady. The goal is to build a base you can maintain, not burn out before the snow even falls.
Bonus Tips from Nat
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Train outdoors when you can: nature builds both body and mind
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Find your training buddy or playlist: it makes consistency easier
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Listen to your body: fatigue is normal, burnout is not
Ready to Get Started?
✔️ Bookmark this guide as your pre-season training plan
✔️ Check out Nat’s go-to GURU picks: natural, organic, and sugar-free. Try GURU Zero for clean energy without compromise. Shop here
✔️ Ease into your training today—your body (and your knees) will thank you when the powder drops