You’ve still got a few weeks to get yourself into better shape for the ski and snowboard season. Pre-Season Ski Conditioning is important: The better shape you are in, the more runs you can make each day (reducing the cost of each run!)  and the less likely you are to get injured.

There are all kinds of ways to get your Pre-Season Ski Conditioning indoors. Squats and lunges will strengthen those all-important thigh muscles. You can enhance balance and build muscle strength with yoga, or with training aids like BOSU, Skier’s Edge or our personal favorite the Vew Do balance board which is simple, fun and will show you quickly just how much you need to practice . . .

But as good as indoor training can be, there’s nothing like getting outdoors. Go ride your mountain bike while the ground’s still bare—it will help your balance, build your thigh muscles and strengthen both your core muscles and the muscles you smile with.

The other possibility is to lace up your hiking boots and climb up hills. Climbing up, then climbing down gets you in shape fast for skiing or boarding.

Go to your favorite resort and climb up some of the trails . . . it’ll give you a whole different perspective on the trails you float effortlessly down on when there’s snow on the ground