Does weight gain make it hard to ski?

Question

I used to be an avid skiier (both nordic and cross country) I didn't ski at all last winter because I gained weight and thought it would be too hard. Well, I decided to go today. After having my boots on for about 10 minutes my feet went numb and I couldn't really feel anything from they knee down. I only got to go down the hill a couple times (it's impossible to ski when you can't feel your legs!) I'm not really out of shape and don't have a problem getting up when falling. I used the same skis and boots from when I was much thinner.I also felt like I had absolutely no control of my skis and every turn required lots of effort, it was very painful and difficult. I saw other overweight skiers doing just fine, so what was my problem?

Answer 1

As others have said, it's the boots.

Answer 2

Sounds like the problem was in your boots. If you gained weight, which you said you did, your feet must have expanded which caused the numbness. If one doesn't have the right boots, it can ruin the entire skiing day.

Did they feel a lot tighter than usual (or from last time you skied w/them on)?

It also depends on how much weight you gained. I'm not a doctor to say specific figures, however, a significant weight gain would definitely make it harder to ski.

In conclusion, I say find other boots. Test them out for a day or two and if it's the same problem, return them. Maybe it's as simple as getting a wider boot?

Good luck and happy skiing!

Answer 3

don't kid youself. i thought i was in good shape, skiied 70-80 days a year for most of the 39 years i've been skiing. then i lost 45 lbs and it all became sooooo much easier. old equipment didn't help you either. skis, boots, and bindings have made great strides in the last 10 years and every year something else changes to make the sport easier for the masses. dump the excess weight, dump the old equipment and try again. you'll thank yourself.

Answer 4

The first time skiing of the year is usually clumsy for a lot of people.  If your feet are hurting, unbuckle your boots before you get on the lift and buckle them when you get to the top.  Do that with every run until they don't go numb anymore (it might take a few days of skiing for them to pack out).  I have new boots and i have to do that with them I have about 11 days in them totaling over 40 hours.  I lost 25 pounds since i got my old boots (two years ago), and they were too big. I probably bought them too big, since they packed out. I am also a better skier now and I needed a better boot.  

Your skis be too short and/or soft for your weight, depending on your level, and how much weight you gained.

How much do you weigh now?

What is the model and length of your skis?

What is your ability level?

Answer 5

Yup. I have a buddy with the same problem.

He needed custom orthodics for the boots he bought in 2006 due to his screwed up feet. He weighed 230 then. Last year he upped his mass to 250 and his boots were always too tight and he couldn't ski anything longer than a Pocono sized run without his feet going numb...so he went back to the bootfitter for more work. This year he's up to 280 and guess what? His boots again didn't fit well...so back to the bootfitter he went.

I too clock in at 260, so being heavy isn't the problem. The problem is in your boots. Either get them re-fitted or you might need to get new ones. I can ski all day with no boot problems whatsoever.

Go visit a bootfitter.

Answer 6

Sounds to me like you need to ski more. My first 2 days this season were terrible, I was overweight, and out of shape. Every muscle and joint hurt, hips, legs and shoulders, my feet were sore and the boots seemed to be way too small.

  The only way to get in shape for skiing is to ski, every little muscle that is not used while walking or running does get used while skiing. Wear your boots around the house for a few days and then try it again.  I'm now skiing 5 days a week and the feet are OK, some muscles are sore but that is from a 1.5 hour drive each way every day. I'm also 20 lbs lighter from skiing so much.