Before hitting the slopes, it's a good idea to hit the weight room.
"Skiing overall can be pretty intense," said Jennifer Tilley, a skier and snowboarder who lives in Lawrence. "You don't feel it a lot of times when you're actually doing it, but when you get home you actually realize how intense it can be.
"It can really take a toll on your legs."
Because skiing is such a strenuous activity, fitness experts say it's best to be in the right kind of shape before heading up the mountain.
Chad Richards has been a personal trainer for six years. In that time, he has helped several clients prepare for their dream ski vacations.
"I have some clients that have gone and come back and they got to ski the whole time without any soreness rather than going up there for the first time and being dead the next two days," he said.
But just how can you prepare for skiing in Lawrence, especially when we haven't seen any snow?
Experts suggest hitting the gym and training one leg at a time with strength exercises.
"You want to work the weaker leg first so that you can create some balance," Richards said.
Skiing is more straining than biking or running, he said.
"You're on an unstable, slippery surface, going downhill at speeds you're not used to, so the ligaments are more vulnerable to being torn or pulled or strained," Richards said.
But overall, the key to avoiding injury or soreness lies in proper preparation.
"You can't just do it for two weeks and expect to be in shape for the mountain," he said.
In fact, Richards recommends starting training as much as three months ahead of your trip.
Tilley agrees.
"Prepare yourself before your vacation," she said. "Going upstairs or doing wall sits really getting into your legs and using the front of your legs."
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