Hydration for Snow Sports
Getting ready to enjoy a day on the mountain? Make sure you’re planning ahead for hydration! Cold weather and layers upon layers of gear can make it hard to tell when you’re breaking a sweat—but don’t be fooled! You need to hydrate just as much for winter sports as you do for summer sports. Notice your breath coming out in big clouds? That’s moisture escaping your body! Save yourself from excess fatigue by staying hydrated whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or just out and about in the cold. Here are Nuun’s top tips for hydration on the mountain:
Cold Weather Sport Hydration:
Jumpstart Hydration in the Morning: Looking to stay hydrated? Start hydrated! Don’t spend your day playing catch-up, start your morning with a full 16oz of water as you get ready and enjoy a full breakfast. Just make sure you take a bathroom break before jumping on the chairlift!
Limit Alcohol Consumption: For some, the idea of hitting the slopes without enjoying a beer on the chairlift or a hot toddy at the lodge defeats the purpose of a day on the mountain. We’re not here to tell you that you can’t enjoy a drink while skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing but you should be aware of the dehydrating effects of alcohol on the body. If you’re going to be drinking alcohol, make sure you’re balancing your consumption with equal servings of water or Nuun.
Layer Smart: Baby it’s cold outside… So, the idea of bundling up before heading out for the day seems like the best course of action. However, wearing too many layers can cause you to sweat more and even overheat. Prevent overheating and excess sweating by planning your clothing layers to adapt to the heat you’ll generate when chasing that fresh powder. Have a plan for the layers you shed. Will you put them in your backpack? Stash them in a locker? The more prepared you are with your plans the more adaptable you’ll be to the shifting weather conditions during the day.
Carry Water with You: This one might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people neglect this key strategy: bring water with you! Like any other sport, to sustain hydration and performance you need to keep up with hydration throughout your activity. Pack a reusable water bottle in your backpack (if you carry one) or pack a smaller flexible water flask in your coat pocket. One additional consideration—if you’re going to be somewhere very cold make sure your water carrier won’t freeze or leak. Our friends at Hydrapak make a variety of soft sided options for cold weather, including a special hydration pack hose that won’t freeze in icy conditions.
Rehydrate Fully: To maximize recovery and make the most of a weekend ski trip, make sure you’re fully rehydrating at the end of a long day. Nuun Rest is a great option to aid in the recovery of tired muscles with a full serving of magnesium and relaxing blend of botanicals. Sip a hot mug while you chill in the hot tub or do some nighttime stretches. Your legs will thank you tomorrow!
Now that you’re ready to hydrate for your skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing adventures grab your gear and hit the slopes! Remember, hydration becomes even more important when you’re hanging out in high altitude areas because your body has to work harder to get oxygen. So take care and take a reusable water bottle!
