Learning a new sport as an adult is challenging! Many of my clients at Physio, Yoga & Wellness in Denver are taking up skiing in their 30s, 40s, and beyond, and they all share this sentiment. When I first learned to ski at 22, I was living in Florida—hardly an ideal training ground for mountain sports. My now-husband, a former ski instructor for six-year-olds, luckily had the patience to help me through the learning curve. With a mix of encouragement and tough love, I slowly built skills and confidence. Some days, I felt as unsteady as a newborn giraffe; other days, I felt smooth and steady. Those moments were intermixed by tears, a broken wrist, and a few bruises to my ego.
18 years later, my husband and I are still skiing together. Recently, after an epic powder day in Vail, my friends gave me the best compliment: they noticed how much stronger and faster I’d become in the last year. That progress wasn’t accidental—it was the result of consistent work on my strength, balance, and power during the off-season.
Polar Star Inn: A Backcountry Hut Trip
Once a year, I dust off my backcountry ski setup and join a dozen or so friends for a hut adventure. This year's trip took us to Polar Star Inn, a dry hut sitting at 11,040 feet on the west side of New York Mountain in central Colorado. The journey began with a nerve-wracking drive on I-70 during a snowstorm, which delayed our start by three hours. From the trailhead, we climbed 5.8 miles with 2,400 feet of elevation gain—a five-hour trek that ended just in time for sunset.
The next two days were packed with adventure: skiing New York Mountain, finishing a puzzle, playing games, an impromptu ping pong match, and plenty of laughter. As a physical therapist, I even found myself doing an on-the-spot session for a friend’s knee pain.
How I Trained for This Year’s Trip:
Core strength for stability under a heavy pack
Hip flexor strength for prolonged uphill travel
Zone 1-2 sustained cardio workouts for endurance
A Weekend Trip to Telluride
Skiing Telluride had been on my bucket list for years. Tucked deep in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, the town sits in a stunning box canyon with amazing views. Beyond skiing, Telluride town has great shops, bars, and restaurants.
We arrived to six inches of fresh snow on our first of three ski days. Thanks to some internet sleuthing, we quickly found the best powder stashes (hint: Electra). But what I didn’t realize? Telluride is full of cliffs—something I always try to avoid! My hardest challenge that weekend wasn’t a steep ski run but side-stepping 20 yards up the mountain in deep powder to avoid an unexpected cliff drop.
How I Trained for Steep Skiing in Telluride:
Balance training and weight shifting for control on variable terrain
Quad strength and endurance for sustained descents
Lateral hip strength for stability on uneven slopes
Epic Powder Days at Vail
The snow gods have blessed Vail this season! I’ve been lucky enough to hit multiple powder days (10+ inches of fresh snow) that aligned perfectly with my schedule. More than once, I’ve found myself saying, “That was the best run of my life!” This season has completely renewed my love for skiing and winter sports.
How I Trained for Powder Days:
Anaerobic cardio training for quick bursts of power
Proprioception drills to improve body awareness in deep snow
Full-body strength for maneuvering through variable conditions
Beyond Skiing: Staying Active Year-Round
Between ski days, I’m also training for the Berlin Marathon in September, getting back into mountain biking, and occasionally surfing. Each of these activities requires strength, endurance, and agility in different ways—it can be hard to train for so many different sports at one time!
For those learning to ski, or learn any new skill, later in life, remember: progress isn’t linear. Stay patient, stay strong, and most importantly—have fun!
Are you looking to recover from an injury, get stronger and faster, or just get more fit? Schedule an appointment today - click here!
Dr Jessica Klain PT, DPT, COMT, CSCS, OCS, CNPT
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT)
Certified Nutritional Physical Therapist (CNPT)
Certified Vestibular Specialist
Certified Concussion Specialist
Trigger Point Dry Needling Certified, L1&2
Certified Yoga Teacher
University of Florida, Doctorate in Physical Therapy (2009)
The Ohio State University, Bachelor of Science in Biology (2006)
Call/text: 720-295-0060
Physio, Yoga & Wellness is located in Denver, Colorado in the Santa Fe Arts District. We're helping active people in Denver (and beyond!) recover from injury, reduce pain, and optimize health.
Comments