Staying Water-Safe On Your Skiing Adventures
by Janey Jones
After a long day on the slopes, there’s something quite therapeutic about taking a nice dip in a pool. Going for a swim after skiing can help loosen stiff muscles and soothe sore spots from falls. While you may not have thought of swimming during your ski trip, a lot of different ski resorts acknowledge the benefits of this combination. Many resorts boast an array of indoor and outdoor swimming pools just waiting for you to try them out. But before you take off your skis and change into your bathing suit, there are a few things you might want to consider to keep yourself safe while enjoying the water.
Body Temperature
If you have spent all day in freezing temperatures, the chances are, your extremities are fairly cold. It can be tempting to head right to the pool to get warm, but getting in too quickly could actually be harmful to you. When your skin is extra cold, your reaction time to an injury can be delayed. In the case of hot water, you could burn yourself without even realizing it until your skin has had a chance to fully warm up. To avoid any potential injury, it is a good idea to allow yourself ample time to warm up indoors before getting into the water.
Increased Fatigue
After you have fully worn yourself out on the slopes, you may want to take a nice relaxing dip in the pool or hot tub to finish off the day. However, getting into the water when you are tired carries the risk of you falling asleep in the pool. With many hotel pools not staffing lifeguards, the risk of drowning after falling asleep in the water is higher. If you have your heart set on that evening dip in the pool, come off the slope a few runs before you feel like you are out of fuel. Make sure there are other people present too: supervision is key to staying safe in the water.
Swimming on a ski trip can be a great way to diversify your activities, prevent muscle stiffness, and enjoy some peaceful relaxation in a beautiful mountain setting. While this can be a great addition to your daily itinerary, do be sure to plan ahead and leave yourself ample time to warm up, and make sure you have the energy to swim safely. Once you take a dip in your first ski resort pool, you won’t be able to imagine a more perfect way to end a day on the slopes.
