Get Ski-Ready: Olympian Doug Lewis Shares Pre-Season Ski Fitness Tips

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Doug Lewis

Ski season is approaching, and if you’re dreaming of powder days and long runs, now is the time to start your ski fitness training.

In the latest episode of the Where to Ski podcast, host John Morgan sits down with Doug Lewis—two-time Olympian, World Championship medalist, and U.S. Ski Team legend—to share his best advice on pre-season ski workouts that anyone can do.

If you’ve ever felt wiped after only a few runs or struggled with altitude on a ski trip, you’re not alone. According to Lewis, the key to skiing with confidence, endurance, and control is simple: get in shape for skiing before you hit the slopes.

The best part? You don’t need a gym membership or expensive machines. Lewis recommends bodyweight ski conditioning exercises like squats, push-ups, burpees, lunges, and sit-ups. Combine these with cardio—jogging, cycling, or short sprints—and agility drills such as trail runs or even walking through a riverbed to sharpen balance. For explosive power on skis, add jump training.

Consistency is everything. Just 20 minutes a day, five days a week, for 60 to 100 days before your ski holiday can completely transform your experience. “Control gives you joy,” Lewis explains. Stronger legs, a stable core, and mental commitment mean more fun whether you’re carving groomers, tackling moguls, or heading into the backcountry.

So if your goal this season is to ski longer, stronger, and safer, start your ski workout plan today. Build strength, boost cardio, improve agility, and commit mentally—you’ll arrive on the mountain confident and ready to rip.

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Doug Lewis on a short run