Hi there,
Welcome back to “Hey Coach Darren” – the advice column where I’ll be sharing my top three tips on a different topic each week, inspired by real-life scenarios from our current members (and you)!
Cold weather and vacations can make it tough to stay on track with fitness goals, especially when your usual routine gets thrown off. But being away from the gym or stuck inside doesn’t mean progress has to stall. With the right approach, you can stay active, feel productive, and return from your trip feeling just as strong—if not stronger—than when you left.
A FitTRAC member is gearing up for Ski Week with their family (like many families in this area) but won’t be hitting the slopes. Instead, they’re looking for ways to stay consistent with their workouts while the kids are out skiing. They’ll be spending a lot of time in a cabin and want ideas for staying on track despite the cold weather:
“Hey Coach Darren, I’m heading up to Tahoe for Ski Week with my family, but I don’t ski. While my kids are on the slopes, I’d love to find ways to stay active instead of just sitting around.
I won’t have access to a gym, and I know the cold weather can make it harder to get motivated, but I don’t want to fall off track. Do you have any recommendations for workouts or ways to stay productive while I’m up there?”
Excellently timed question because staying active in the cold requires a different mindset and approach. Here’s how to make the most of your trip while keeping your fitness goals in check:
Get Outside, But Prep for the Cold: Even if you’re not skiing, you can still take advantage of the winter landscape to stay active.
Many ski resorts have walking trails or packed snow paths that are perfect for brisk walks or light hikes, which burn more calories than walking on pavement due to the added resistance.
To make it enjoyable, dress in layers with moisture-wicking materials to stay dry, and don’t forget warm accessories like gloves and a hat. Before heading outside, start with a quick warm-up indoors to prevent injury—jumping jacks, bodyweight squats, or arm circles will get your blood flowing.
Staying warm and prepared makes it easier to stay consistent with outdoor movement, even in the cold.
Indoor Workouts That Fit Into Your Cabin Routine: Just because you’re inside doesn’t mean you have to be inactive.
A quick bodyweight workout with exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks can keep you on track, even in a small space. If you have resistance bands, you can add variety with banded squats, rows, and shoulder presses (feel free to ask a FitTRAC to borrow some before you take off!).
But workouts don’t have to be formal—use downtime in the cabin to move more naturally. Try doing air squats or push-ups during commercial breaks, stretching while watching a movie, or even taking the stairs a few extra times throughout the day.
Even small bursts of movement add up, helping you stay active without needing a full gym setup.
Try a Winter Sport That’s Not Skiing: Skiing isn’t the only way to stay active on a winter trip!
Consider trying snowshoeing, which is a great full-body workout that burns serious calories while being easy to learn. If you have access to an ice skating rink, even a short session can improve balance, leg strength, and endurance. Sledding might seem like a kid’s activity, but trekking back up the hill multiple times is a solid leg and cardio workout!
If you’re open to new experiences, these activities can keep you moving while adding a fun, social aspect to your trip.
The bottom line? Staying on track during Ski Week, or any wintertime trip, doesn’t mean sticking to your usual routine—it means adapting to what’s available. Walking, hiking, bodyweight workouts, and smart layering will keep you moving so you don’t feel like you’re losing progress while away. Plus, staying active means you’ll fully enjoy the trip without feeling sluggish from sitting inside all week.
Stay tuned for next week’s “Hey Coach Darren” where I’ll be sharing more valuable tips to help you become happier, healthier, and stronger.
Stronger Together,
Coach Darren
P.S. Do you need help with your health and fitness? Just hit ‘Learn more’ and I’ll be sure to give you some tips in an upcoming ‘Hey Coach Darren’ blog post.