What snow sports burn the most calories?
Snow sports and exercise go hand-in-hand. You'll enjoy snow sports more if you're in shape, but you'll stay in shape by participating.
Which snow sports burn the most calories? Actual calories burned will depend on your weight (heavier people burn more calories per hour), how fast you're moving, whether the terrain is flat or hilly, and other factors. Also, the figures below are for an hour of continuous activity (waiting in a lift line doesn't count). But being active during the winter burns a lot more calories than sitting inside playing video games, that's for sure. Here's an idea of how snow sports can help keep you in shape:
| Activity |
Calories burned per hour
— adults |
Weight |
Calories burned per hour
— children |
Weight |
| Nordic skiing,
slow or light effort |
413 |
130 lbs. |
211 |
70 lbs. |
| Nordic skiing,
slow or light effort |
493 |
155 lbs. |
264 |
90 lbs. |
| Nordic skiing,
slow or light effort |
604 |
190 lbs. |
330 |
110 lbs. |
| Nordic skiing,
moderate effort |
472 |
130 lbs. |
242 |
70 lbs. |
| Nordic skiing,
moderate effort |
563 |
155 lbs. |
302 |
90 lbs. |
| Nordic skiing,
moderate effort |
690 |
190 lbs. |
377 |
110 lbs. |
| Nordic skiing,
8 mph, racing |
826 |
130 lbs. |
423 |
70 lbs. |
| Nordic skiing,
8 mph, racing |
985 |
155 lbs. |
529 |
90 lbs. |
| Nordic skiing,
8 mph, racing |
1,208 |
190 lbs. |
661 |
110 lbs. |
| Snowshoeing |
472 |
130 lbs. |
242 |
70 lbs. |
| Snowshoeing |
563 |
155 lbs. |
302 |
90 lbs. |
| Snowshoeing |
690 |
190 lbs. |
378 |
110 lbs. |
| Snowboarding
- recreational |
250-630 |
110-200 lbs. |
200-250 |
70-110 lbs. |
| Snowboarding
- competitive |
700-1,260 |
110-200 lbs. |
560-700 |
70-110 lbs. |
| Alpine skiing,
light effort |
295 |
130 lbs. |
151 |
70 lbs. |
| Alpine skiing,
light effort |
352 |
155 lbs. |
189 |
90 lbs. |
| Alpine skiing,
light effort |
431 |
190 lbs. |
236 |
110 lbs. |
| Alpine skiing,
moderate effort |
354 |
130 lbs. |
181 |
70 lbs. |
| Alpine skiing,
moderate effort |
422 |
155 lbs. |
226 |
90 lbs. |
| Alpine skiing,
moderate effort |
518 |
190 lbs. |
283 |
110 lbs. |
| Alpine skiing,
vigorous effort |
472 |
130 lbs. |
242 |
70 lbs. |
| Alpine skiing,
vigorous effort |
563 |
155 lbs. |
302 |
90 lbs. |
| Alpine skiing, vigorous effort |
690 |
190 lbs. |
377 |
110 lbs. |
Sources:
Adults, all but snowboarding: www.nutristrategy.com
Adults, snowboarding: Snowboarding by Robert Reichenfeld & Anna
Breuchert
Children: calculations are estimates based on consultation with American College
of Sports Medicine
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