Have you got any quick tips for our readers?
For fitness in the mountains, preparation is hugely important. The big reason why people are scared of going skiing is injury. So many people have jobs that involve arms, legs, and they're just so worried about getting hurt.
You obviously can't reduce the risk to zero, but you can massively reduce it by preparing before you go.
Exercises at home, and in the gym, are essential.
It also makes it so much more cost-effective too; you spend such a lot of money to go skiing so if you're tired after a couple of runs and can't ski for the rest of the day...
You want to get the most out of it, you haven't saved up all year for your one ski holiday just to get there and be too tired. It's just common sense; you wouldn't run a marathon without doing any training so why go skiing and put yourself in a semi-dangerous environment?
So preparation is hugely important and, once you get there - hydration! Definitely, especially if you're doing the apres-ski then hydration is crucial. So many people get to the mountains and think "oh yes, it's cold and I'm not perspiring".
Do you recommend skiing with a camelback?
Yeah, or carry water with you. I always ski with a water bottle but otherwise just make sure you stop regularly at the mountain restaurants for water.
And the other tip I'd give is - helmets!
It sounds so geeky but the industry has improved so much that there are really cool helmets out there and you can get ones that aren't that expensive. They are hugely important, it's not just about your safety, it's about other people crashing into you and I just think it's silly if people want to do well in the sport but don't wear a helmet.
Those are my views - I don't have to say this because I'm sponsored by POC - but POC do some very cool helmets. You don't look like a geek any more wearing a helmet, you look like you're prepared to go on the limit.
Why would you go on the limit to improve, and ski fast (even if not as a racer), without a helmet? I don't understand that.
An Interview with a Ski Racer - Chemmy Alcott - Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
We're delighted to say that we'll have more insights and advice from Chemmy in the very near future... so keep an eye on J2Ski...
J2Ski would like to thank Chemmy for her time, and also Black Diamond and The Third Space, Soho for facilitating the interview. Thanks guys!