By Max Bendis
There’s no doubt that Bend, Oregon, has plenty of places to enjoy a day on the slopes. I’ve spent countless hours zipping around on skis, starting when I was four years old and my dad, Jim, introduced me to the sport.
Since then, I’ve not only learned how to hone my skiing skills, but also how to kick back after a good workout.
Why It’s Important to Unwind
Personally, my knees take most of the beating when I skii, along with my legs (especially my glutes). If you want to get back out there without injuring yourself, you need to make sure that you’re taking care of your body after putting it under pressure skiing down the slopes.
Max’s Favorite Ways to Recoup After Skiing in Bend, OR
Visit Recharge Sport’s Recovery Lounge + Spa
This recovery lounge in Bend has a lot of different gear you can use to wind down your body. I always gravitate towards the NormaTec Massage Boots, a leg compression system that squeezes different parts of your legs and increases your blood flow.
The NormaTec Massage mimics a blood plump, pushing out old blood and lactic acid while giving your quads, glutes, and feet a squeeze. After a day on the slopes, your legs will thank you.
At Recharge, you’ll also find hot and cold tubs that’ll treat your sore muscles. You can hop from a cool 52 degrees to a toasty 104 degrees, working with your body’s natural healing systems to get your blood moving like it’s meant to.
Last but not least is the recovery lounge’s Infrared Sauna. This unique sauna penetrates the skin and heats muscles directly tissues with far-infrared technology (combined with mid- and near-infrared waves). You’re sure to walk out of here feeling refreshed and ready for your next adventure.
Pro tip: Recharge also offers sports massage therapy if your muscles are in need of a little extra TLC.
Stretch Your Body
Two of my favorite stretches after a day of skiing is the Pigeon Pose (a hip opener) and the World’s Greatest Stretch (which stretches all parts of the body). You can check out how to do these stretches below.
How to Do the Pigeon Pose The Right Way: Watch Now
- Start in the downward dog position with your hips up.
- Lift your left leg into the sky, and bring your left foot forward to sit next to your left hand.
- Lay your left knee down on the ground and slide your right leg back.
- Untuck your right toes and press into the top of your foot.
- Sit back on your hips and stretch tall through your crown (If there’s space between you and the ground, sit on a blanket).
- Walk your hands forward and rest your forehead on the ground (or a block for support).
- Hold this pose for 10 breaths.
- Return back to downward dog position, and repeat these steps on the other side of your body.
How to Do the World’s Greatest Stretch: Watch Now (or embed)
- Begin in a plan pose with your hands below your shoulders.
- Step your left foot towards the outside of your left hand.
- Move your left elbow inside towards your left foot.
- Move your left hand outside your left foot and rotate it toward the ceiling.
- Return your left hand back down the ground, and your left foot back to the plank.
- Follow these steps on the other side of your body.
Decompress with a Drink
Just as much as skiing tires out your body, it can tire out your mind, too. That’s why I like to kick back with a beer or a cocktail after wrapping up a ski day.
Brother John’s never fails if you’re in need of a classic burger + beer combo. Looking for a different kind of unwind? Stop by Crater Lake Tasting Room and sip on a Rhye Lemonade (a mix of Ablis CBD, ginger, and Crater Lake Rye Whiskey).
Keep Your Body Active
Even when it’s not skiing season, it’s always important to keep your body in shape by staying active…and anytime you’re active, it’s important to take care of yourself with a little R&R. Your body deserves a reward after an intense workout, and you deserve to keep enjoying active workouts and days on the slopes for many years to come. Give your body the rest it needs in its off time, and you will.
Happy adventuring, friends!