Plan to Ski This Winter? Do This Now

The good economic news about that bad economic news is that some things may drop in price, as people who are paying the price have less to pay for them. One of those things, according to this story in the New York Times, is ski vacations. According to the Times, some resorts have already started to offer realistically price holiday stays.
For those who think they can still afford a ski trip or several, Early November is a good time to start rebuilding those muscles you haven’t used in a few months. Here, from First Tracks, Online Ski Magazine,
are five tips that can make your first few days on slopes a bit less painful.
1. General Conditioning: On Monday, Wednesday and Friday do the following: 15 situps, 15 crunches, 15 pushups (bent-knee
  are ok). Lay on back and do:  4 alternate knee to chest (hold for 20), 4 raise
  one leg and use arms to pull to stretch hamstring. Lie on side and do:  15 leg raises, turn over and do other side.
2. Agility: Also on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, do:  4 X 20 yds. of running backwards, 4 X 20 yds. (in each direction)
  of side-shuffling, and 5 (each way) turning hops (stand with feet together,
  jump and turn 180 degrees, landing with balance) . Try to do all of these on
  soft grass or a wooden floor—and always inspect the surface you use for holes,
  bumps or other irregularities in order to avoid injury
3. Aerobic Conditioning: On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, do:  15 minutes of exercycle, stairmaster or 15 minutes of
  easy jogging on a treadmill, track, running path or mini-trampoline.
4. Anaerobic Conditioning: After your Aerobic workout, rest for five minutes, then:  Do 5 intense high
  speed bouts for 15 seconds (with 1 minute rest in-between) using whatever aerobic
  exercise you used.
5. Leg Work: On Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, do: 15 Step-Downs. Balance sideways with one leg on a step.
  With control and keeping knee centered over foot, lower yourself (as if your
  “stepping down”) a few inches, then raise up. Repeat 15 times each leg.  After
  a week, add another set of fifteen.  By week four, you should be able to do
  4 sets of 15.
Read more about getting in shape for skiing in First Tracks.