Is skiing good exercise?

Cross-country skiing can be an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise.

Here, she breaks down the biggest physical and mental health benefits of cross-country skiing.

A young woman cross country skiing in the mountains

Photo: Scott Dickerson/Getty

Its a quick, full-body workout.

Its like one of the hardest sports for that reason.

(Although, moving your body is about more than just burning calories.)

It boosts your heart health.

(FYI, you canincrease your VO2 maxwith these tips.)

I think cardiovascular health is probably the biggest benefit to the sport.

Its easy on your joints and good for your bones.

The packed powder youre gliding across also comes with a few perks.

Department of Health and Human Services.

Its like one of the hardest sports for that reason.

It improves your coordination and agility.

And both of those actions require some serious coordination, she adds.

Plus, cross-country skiing is an excellent exercise because it constantly tests andimproves your agility.

Were actually stepping it, youre taking these little steps, similar to a hockey player or something.

you’ve got the option to get into it at any age.

It boosts your mental wellbeing.

Its so underrated and so beneficial.

Cross-country skiing itself provides its own unique mental health benefits, too.