If you are visiting the White Mountains from the Valley of the Sun or other, lower elevation places in Arizona or out of the state, you need to be aware of how our higher altitude will affect your body. Before you get outfitted at Krissie’s for a fun day of snow skiing or snowboarding, consider how you can prepare for and deal with a day on the slopes at the 11,000+ feet above sea level Sunrise Ski Park runs.

Humidity – or Lack Thereof

One thing you’re bound to notice as soon as you begin climbing up the Mountain is that the humidity levels drop. The closer you are to sea level, the more moisture the air holds. Consequently, when you arrive in the White Mountains of Arizona, you may feel side effects such as your contact lenses drying out or an insatiable thirst. And because your body senses that it is getting less moisture, many people experience swelling in their extremities (also known as edema).

In order to counteract the drying effects of a higher altitude, it’s important to rehydrate. Drink lots of water – more than you think you need. If you get thirsty in between glasses of water then you’re not drinking enough (and alcohol and caffeinated beverages don’t count). Moisturize your skin by slathering on a good quality sunscreen (your skin is more likely to burn at a higher elevation, too) and bring along rewetting solution for your eyes.

Every Breath You Take

Although the air high in the mountains contains the same amount of oxygen as air at sea level (21 percent), each breath you take at a higher altitude delivers less oxygen to your body. This is because the air molecules at high elevations are dispersed more widely. In fact, at the height of most runs at Sunrise Ski Park, you are likely to be breathing in about 40 percent less oxygen. The results is often shortness of breath.

For most of us there’s no danger in skiing or snowboarding at high elevations. Our bodies were made to accommodate the atmospheric changes. Be aware, however, that you may experience an uncharacteristic shortness of breath. As your body adjusts, it will create additional red blood cells so more oxygen can reach your bloodstream and be delivered to your body tissue. In addition, your heartbeat will increase, which is why snow skiing is such a good, heart healthy exercise.

One thing you can do to minimize adverse effects of high elevation is to eat a high carbohydrate, low fat diet that goes easy on the salt. This will make it easier for your body to get the oxygen it craves.

One note of caution: if you experience a headache, nausea and loss of coordination, immediately descend and check with a doctor to make sure you are not experiencing Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Don’t ignore the symptoms! If you are susceptible to altitude sickness, try extending your stay in the mountains by arriving a few days early so that your body has time to adjust before you hit the slopes.

Enjoy your snow skiing trip in the White Mountains of Arizona. Be aware of the ways your body might respond to the higher altitude so that you don’t experience any adverse effects. Know what to watch out for and be prepared!

Published with permission of Pinetop-Lakeside Group Sales....'What's Up In The Pines'

With the fastest lifts in Arizona (8 lifts), 65 runs scattered over 3 mountains and an average of 6,000 skiers on the busiest days, Sunrise Resort is definitely Arizona's best skiing this winter. The 4' base (and growing) puts Sunrise among the top 5 ski resorts in the nation this dry winter. Over the past week there's been 17-20" of new snow with more forecast this week. US Olympic Women's Team members are rumored to have been practicing here!

One thing I really enjoy witnessing is children being introduced to the sport of snow skiing or snowboarding. It’s so good for kids! Skiing provides a very fun form of exercise they’re sure to enjoy and it also promotes quality family time. Just for the young skier, here’s the information you need about snow skiing and snowboarding at Sunrise Ski Park.

General Information

Lift tickets for your kids are really reasonable, with half day weekend or all day Sunday passes for only $23 (age 12 and under). Youths (teenagers) can buy a lift ticket for only $35. Even with the price of equipment rental from our store, this is a really inexpensive cost for hours of fun and healthy exercise.

If your kids are very young (6 or under), they are eligible for Funland at Sunrise. Funland programs offer babysitting services with or without a lower mountain lift ticket for a bit of bunny slope skiing.

Group lessons are also available through Sunrise’s Mountain Explorer for kids aged 7 to 12. They can take either snow skiing or snowboarding lessons for an entire day or half a day. If your kids already know their way around the slopes, you might consider enrolling them in a refresher or “Improve” course.

Sunrise A-Team

Another option for ensuring your kids learn all about snow skiing and snowboarding while honing their skills on the slopes is to enroll them in the Sunrise A-Team. This course runs the rest of the season on Saturdays from 9 AM to 3 PM. Although it officially started January 7th, you can still enroll your kids for the next 8 weeks for one low price.

Young athletes will learn the fundamentals of snowboarding and snow skiing in a variety of conditions and terrains. The emphasis is on enjoying winter sports as a team, although coaching is done on an individual needs basis. If you have a budding Winter Olympian, this is the perfect course but even young skiers or snowboarders who are just interested in casual fun will enjoy it, as well!

The A-Team prices do not include equipment or lift tickets so be sure to stop in at Krissie’s on your way to Sunrise to buy a lift ticket and rent anything your kids don’t own, such as bib overalls, boots, poles or a snowboard. For more information about the A-Team, please call Sunrise directly at 800.772.7669 ext. 2306.

At Krissie’s Ski and Board, we encourage every young person to try snow skiing or snowboarding at least once and find out how fun this wonderful form of exercise can be. Don’t deny your kids the chance to join in the family fun at Sunrise Ski Park.

Well, here we are at that time of year again – the month when we struggle to stay focused on those New Year’s resolutions we set as we said goodbye to 2011. If you’re like most people, your resolutions probably had something to do with your overall health, whether that’s getting into shape, losing weight, or just being more active. The good news is that you can have lots of fun while striving to attain your goals because snow skiing is the perfect sport for getting healthier in 2012.

Resolve To Lose Weight

This is a big one for many of us. Over the past year(s), extra weight creeps on our bodies and as we get older, it’s harder and harder to take off. While it may be difficult to follow a regimented exercise schedule, it’s a lot easier to vow to have fun skiing down the slopes and work off a few calories. In fact, snow skiing allows you to burn up to 1,000 calories per hour. This is a very efficient form of exercise.

You can burn the same amount of calories cross country skiing, too. While it depends on how fast you’re moving and your individual physical characteristics, you can definitely expect to burn at least 400 calories per hour.

Resolve To Shape Up

If you need to get more exercise, there are few better sports than snow skiing. Snow skiing is an aerobic activity that gets your pulse rate up and allows you to use muscles you probably never knew you had! It’s good for your heart and your circulatory system, allowing your body to more efficiently spread oxygen to your tissues. Skiing is a real benefit when it comes to overall toning and flexibility, as well. An added bonus? Snow skiing forces you to have great posture, which is essential for balance.

Resolve To Spend More Time With Family

If you’re looking for a healthy pursuit to enjoy with the whole family, snow skiing is perfect! Chances are everyone in your circle of friends and family – from toddlers on up to senior citizens – can ski or easily learn how to schuss down the slopes. If downhill skiing isn’t someone’s cup of tea, there’s always snowboarding or cross country skiing, too. The point is that it gets everyone out together doing something healthy.

Resolve To Quit Smoking

This is a tough one, but it can be done. And researchers have shown that those with the best odds of quitting for good are people who stay active when the urge to light up hits. Once again, snow skiing is a great help with this resolution! An added bonus? The high elevation and thinner air mean your lungs have to work harder and you’ll be less likely to want a cigarette.

There now, have all your New Year’s resolutions been addressed? Just resolve to hit the slopes of Sunrise Ski Park and you’re sure to feel better, look better and achieve your lifestyle goals for 2012.