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Rachael Burks and Julian Carr have their mean faces on. They're grunting, gasping, making expressions that are usually unwanted when taking ski photos. In this case, they can’t help it.  Burks and Carr are at Boxing is For Girls, a Salt Lake City gym geared toward beating the snot out of people—and not just ladies—in the name of fitness. They’re going through trainer Eliza James’ specially designed Chance workout, an ass-kicker that combines strength, endurance, and pushing your pain threshold. Ironmen and marathoners can’t even get through it, not even close. But Burks and Carr are definitely trying—and as some of the most badass skiers out there, they are doing a solid job.  “Work hard for your break, come on!” James yells. “You want all your hard work to pay off.”
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Boxing is for Skiers

Rachael Burks and Julian Carr get put through a brutal boxing workout to see if they’ve got what it takes. Turns out skiers are good athletes.

Start small and work your way into feeling comfortable on the board. Try paddling on your knees before you stand up. Once you can stand, keep your eyes up and look straight ahead. If you look down, you will probably fall. Go with other people and create a SUP posse. You will motivate each other to progress faster.
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Why SUP Is Good for Skiers

We talked to skier and stand up paddle board racer Caroline Gleich to learn more about how to pick the gear, where to SUP, and why it’s a great off-season sport for skiers. Here’s what she had to say.

Step aside Nutella, your time on a pedestal is over. Justin is here. Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter is not only decadent, but also nutritious, free of artificial flavors and processed dairy, plus it comes in an ultra-convenient squeeze pack size. These can be stashed in pockets and easily scarfed on the lift, minus the melted chocolate mess factor.  Hazelnuts, often overshadowed by the nutritional content of nut-brothers almonds and walnuts, are packin’ when it comes to nutrient-density. These chestnut relatives are a good source of vitamin B1, which is imperative for energy production, and copper, a mineral that is needed for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase which disarms free radicals. The best part is Justin uses palm fruit oil rather than inflammation-promoting hydrogenated vegetables oils like most commercial nut butters do. This is worth going nuts over. Cost: $0.55 cents per squeeze pack. Calories: 80www.justinsnutbutter.com
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Top Five Pocket Snacks For Skiers

This question just might be one of the seven wonders of the food world: What is the optimal snack to pack so I don’t have to stop for lunch on a powder day, that doesn’t weigh me down, smooch, or melt in my pocket? The answer is that just as skis have gotten wider, on-slope snacks have also improved, moving past dry protein bars and sweaty string cheese. If you’ve upgraded your gear in the last year, then it’s also time to upgrade the snack selection. Start with these five snacks, each available for under $2 per serving.

Jeremy Benson mountain biking above Lake Tahoe
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Mountain Biking is Good for Skiers

Not that you needed an excuse to go ride. But it turns out, mountain biking counts as ski conditioning too. Pro skier Jeremy Benson tells us why and suggests a few good trails to check out.

swiss ball thumb
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U.S. Freeskiing Workout

No one works harder to get strong for skiing than the freeskiing athletes who are looking to prove themselves at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Halfpipe master Jen Hudak and the U.S. Freeskiing team coaches put together this six-move workout that'll beat you into ski shape.

mountain athlete
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Mountain Athlete Ski Training

Think the best way to get into ski shape is a few squats in the fall? You're going to have to try a little harder than that. Writer Brigid Mander headed to Jackson Hole's Mountain Athlete gym to get beat into shape with ski racer Max Hammer.