On average, most people burn about 90 calories for every ten minutes of active skiing. The exact amount of calories burned while skiing varies depending on factors such as body weight, the type of skiing and its intensity, and the amount of time spent on the slopes.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to calculate the amount of calories burned while skiing, how to maximize calories burned during this winter activity, and the reasons why skiing is an excellent way to lose weight.
Calories burned Skiing Calculator
How many calories do you burn skiing?
Although the number of calories burned skiing varies from person to person, most people burn anywhere between 330-540 per hour on the slopes with moderate effort.
A man with an average weight of 90 kg (198 lbs) would burn about 540 calories downhill skiing with moderate effort. On the other hand, a woman with a weight of 55 kg (121 lbs) would burn about 330 calories.
Several factors such as body weight, the intensity of your activity, and the duration of time determine the amount of calories burned skiing. To calculate a more accurate estimate of the number of calories you burn on the slopes, you can use a simple formula.
Using the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET), you can calculate the number of calories burned for various intensities of downhill and cross-country skiing. Multiply the MET value of the specific type of skiing by your weight in kilograms and the number of hours you spent skiing.
Here are the MET values for various skiing types and intensities:
- 7 = Cross-country skiing with light effort at a speed of 2.5 mph
- 8 = Cross-country skiing with moderate effort at a speed of 4-4.9 mph
- 9 = Cross-country skiing with vigorous effort at a speed of 5-7.9 mph
- 14 = Cross-country skiing at a speed of over 8 mph
- 16.5 = Cross-country skiing uphill with maximum effort
- 5 = Downhill skiing with light effort
- 6 = Downhill skiing with moderate effort
- 8 = Downhill skiing with vigorous effort
For example, if you weigh 70 kg (154 lbs) and spent an hour cross-country skiing with light effort (MET value = 7), the calculation would look like: 70 x 1 x 7 = 490 calories
How many calories do you burn skiing for 30 min?
According to Harvard Health Publishing, a person who weighs 125 lbs can burn 180 calories by downhill skiing for 30 minutes. If you weigh 155 lbs, the calories burned downhill skiing increases to 216 calories, and 252 calories if you weigh 185 lbs.
Cross-country skiing tends to burn slightly more calories than downhill skiing. Someone who cross-country skis for half an hour and weighs 125 lbs can burn 198 calories. On the other hand, a person who weighs 155 lbs can burn 246 calories and 293 calories for those who weigh 185 lbs.
How many calories are burned for a skiing beginner?
Since beginner skiers are not used to skiing as much as an intermediate or advanced skier, they are likely to exert more effort while skiing. As a result, someone new to skiing will probably burn more calories than their more experienced counterparts.
Most beginner skiers will typically burn anywhere between 440-720 calories per hour on the slopes with vigorous effort.
A person who weighs 90 kg (198 lbs) would burn about 720 calories downhill skiing. On the other hand, someone with a weight of 55 kg (121 lbs) would burn about 440 calories.
While the amount of calories burned skiing still ultimately depends on body weight and the type of skiing, a beginner skier should calculate their calories burned based on effort rather than speed.
Why does skiing burn so many calories?
Skiing down the slope may appear effortless, but it can be quite a workout. Skiing burns a high number of calories because the activity combines both cardiovascular conditioning and strength resistance training.
The cardiovascular workout from skiing enables skiers of all experience levels to burn a significant number of calories. While the movements in downhill skiing could serve as good cardio, cross-country skiing is the best choice for skiers who want to burn as many calories as possible.
Since cross-country skiing works multiple large-muscle groups simultaneously, it requires skiers to exert a tremendous amount of effort. The MET for cross-country skiing uphill with maximum effort is 16.5.
On average, skiers who are exerting a maximum amount of effort could burn between 907-1485 calories cross-country skiing uphill.
Is skiing a good way to lose weight?
Due to its ability to combine two forms of workouts in one activity, skiing is an amazing way to lose weight. Both cardiovascular conditioning and strength resistance training are known to contribute to weight loss in different ways.
The cardio aspect of skiing will burn the most calories due to its intensity. However, strength resistance training offers numerous benefits for weight loss as well.
Anyone who wishes to shed some pounds quickly while skiing should consider cross-country skiing uphill because it requires skiers to exert the most effort.
