row2k: What is your favorite winter workout?

Zander Bonorris: My favorite winter workout is undoubtedly backcountry skiing. At first I thought that skiing (typical resort skiing taking lifts up the mountain) was not such a workout, and I recall many winter breaks when I felt guilty for taking a day off from training the erg or rowing in order to ski the mountain. Several years ago, however, I discovered a way to maintain (if not improve) my fitness while also continuing to ski, which I am so fond of. 

Backcountry skiing involves using special skis that allow the heel to move freely when a certain setting is engaged. This, coupled with sticky adhesive "skins" (artificial material which expertly grips snow), allows the backcountry skier to climb up the mountain, earning one's turns.

 I have been doing this for quite a few years now, as early as my junior year of high school, when my dad took me on my first backcountry expedition up Mt. Shasta, which sits at 14,000 feet and is one of the tallest mountains in the continental US. Summiting the mountain using backcountry skis, skins, crampons, and other alpineering equipment was one of the most memorable things I have ever experienced. It was the hardest thing I had done at that point, too, as it required over 10+ hours of continuous and grueling effort to climb over 8,000 vertical feet (start point was at 6,000 feet elevation) in less than two days. 

Obviously not every outing for me involves this sort of momentous effort, but I realized during those memorable expeditions that backcountry skiing is a wonderfully fun and effective way to maintain and gain fitness. The altitude element of backcountry skiing and alpine touring adds a further element to the fitness gains. 

 row2k: What about this workout makes it a favorite?

ZB: I have always loved to alpine ski; I lived in Alaska when I was younger and my parents fostered a love of the sport in me. I used to ski race, but put it away to pursue rowing as best I could.

 I love how alpine touring/backcountry skiing allows me to continue to take great turns down the mountain, while I am also getting a great workout. I recently climbed up the entirety of a ski resort (3,000 feet) in less than two hours with a heart rate that I would normally shoot for on a UT1 [heavy aerobic work –ed.] erg/row. There is no doubt that the fitness gains are substantial, but the best part about it is that it doesn't feel like work! The turns that I have earned by hiking up are the best turns I have ever taken. 

 row2k: How long have you been doing this workout and who introduced it to you - is it an old favorite or new to your repertoire?

ZB: I have been doing this for about five years now; my father first introduced it to me. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity and resources to do it and for my father who continues to push me and show me amazing ways to stay active and enjoy the great outdoors. 

row2k: If you could stay fit during the winter by only doing one type of non-erg cross training, what would it be and why?

ZB: I think that backcountry skiing would be it!!