When it comes to aerobic fitness, I think ski mountainerring (skimo) is probably the most demanding sport aerobically and certainly breeds a different kind of athlete than marathon running or triathlon racing. The combination of basically running up a hill and then bombing down in a sustained squat is incredibly challenging.
This weekend is the US Ski Mountaineering Association race at Grand Targhee. Every year, I want to do this race just to see what would happen, and again I'm behind the ball in remembering to find out when it is (it just started snowing here in Pocatello!). This is definitely on my "some-day" list.
Ski mountaineering, in it's basic sense, is hiking uphill with skis on ("skins" give you traction) and then bombing back down to the bottom and then doing another "lap.' Sometimes, a bootpack is included, which is when you take off your skis and hike in your boots. And you can win alot of time in transition by being quick about getting your skins on and off, so there is not much of a break between the uphill and downhill portions.
Overall, it is INCREDIBLY DEMANDING on the aerobic side. I love to go backcountry skiing (the recreational equivalent of skimo) for the aerobic aspect!
Luke Nelson is racing in it this year, and I wish him the best of luck in his adventures. About 5 or 6 years ago, we ran together in a local trail race, and he was really fast (and I was really slow). In any case, that's when I first met him, and he's a great guy. Since then, he has become a truly world-class skimo and trail race / ultramarathon guy. Check out his blog. And he lives right here in Pocatello.
So....good luck out there, Luke! And stay safe!
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