The best way no doubt is to ski through the summer months as well, but not every one can head for South America or New Zealand‘s vacation resorts. Everyone can however go hiking or biking to keep the calf muscles well toned. Make the most of the great outdoors during summer. People who live in large cities should try and go off for weekends to places where they can enjoy the pleasures of walking, hiking, biking or climbing.

Regular work-outs or running in the neighborhood park are other ways to keep fit. Join a gym or you can even get a personal trainer to get into shape and keep the muscles well toned. Aerobic exercise will help you to stay fit and healthy and prepare your body for the winter vacation to come. Try and get some serious exercise for at least forty-five minutes on four days a week.

Take your dog for a walk or run and both of you can get much needed exercise. A medium sized or big dog can be trained to take part in skijoring, a combination of dog sledding and cross country skiing. If you have a medium or large well-behaved dog, you can give it a try. It involves being pulled on cross country skis by one dog or more in harness. You can practice training your dog before your winter vacation. He has to get used to the harness and to obey basic commands.

A good diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is essential to stay healthy. Unless you wish to lose weight make sure you are consuming sufficient calories if you workout regularly. Drink plenty of unsweetened liquids to replace the fluid loss from the body.

Related posts:

1. Ski for Health
2. Summer ways to stay in Snow Skiing shape
3. Skijoring: Skiing Sports for Dog Lovers – Snow Skiing

Originating in Scandinavia (skijoring means “ski-driving” in Norwegian), it is now practiced throughout the colder regions of the world. In Russia, Scandinavia, northern Canada, Alaska, and America’s Midwest states, many dog enthusiasts skijor for fun, and to get winter exercise for themselves and their pets.

Equipment for skijoring is simple:

• An enthusiastic dog- many dog breeds enjoy skijoring — the best skijorers are athletic, weigh 40+ pounds, and obey voice commands. A well-trained dog is essential for safety in this sport.

• Cross-country skis (without metal edges, which could injure the dog). Both classic and skate-ski types are regularly used.

• A properly-fit, nylon pulling-harness for the dog.

• A second padded harness for the skier’s hips, sometimes with leg loops.

• A shock-absorbing towline with a quick-release snap for safety.

As with any sport, competitions abound. While most skijorers do so recreationally, they may attend local club meets. Competitive types can attend national or international races, such as the World Cup put on by the IFSS (International Federation of Sleddog Sports).

Competition categories include Skijor Sprint Racing, during which dogs and their skiers can reach 30mph. Another category is Skijor Distance Racing, such as the 320-mile endurance race in the Alaskan Iditasport.

Related posts:

1. Dog Sledding
2. Snow Sports Conference at Snowmass
3. Snow Skiing in Alaska