You’ve made up your mind. You’ve resolved (maybe again) to get more exercise. All that’s left is deciding what to choose. What if you wanted something you can do either indoors or outdoors, in any season, at nearly any time, and provides an all-over “workout” without feeling like you’ve done any work?
Think a minute: This easily describes several of the different types of the surprisingly varied world of snow skiing. The image most people think of is standard: You get on a chairlift, drop off easily, and ski down the slopes. You’re wearing heavy, cold-weather gear and usually topple over once or twice on the way down, skis askew in the air, the biting chill of the wind hitting your face.
Thankfully, the world of snow skiing has broadened widely and has become a year-round enjoyment for millions — while also providing an excellent source of cardiovascular exercise.
Downhill, or classical, skiing, is the picture-postcard most of us think of when we hear the word “skiing.” It usually involves places like The Alps, Aspen, Telluride, or just about anywhere most jet-setters and celebrities...