Skiing and snowboarding are thrilling activities and great workouts. Both sports are excellent cardiovascular exercises that strengthen the heart. They are also weight-bearing exercises. So they strengthen your bones as they tone your muscles.

Cardiovascular or aerobic exercises also work to reduce your risk for ongoing (chronic) diseases. They lower your blood pressure. And they help you maintain a healthy body weight. Through regular aerobic exercise like skiing and snowboarding, you lower your risk of developing conditions like diabetes and heart disease, having a stroke, and perhaps even getting cancer.

It's important to prepare your body for the challenges of these demanding winter sports with some pre-skiing and pre-snowboarding exercises. These exercises will strengthen you and get you fit enough to handle the slopes. You also need the correct equipment and lessons to teach you needed skills. If you have any chronic medical illnesses, are a smoker, or have not exercised in a while or at all, talk to your doctor before skiing or snowboarding.

Start by training your body for these sports a few months before your first lesson. Think about working out with a personal trainer. You and your trainer can create a fitness plan and exercises best suited to help you get into shape before skiing or snowboarding.

Next, sign up for private or group lessons from a qualified skiing or snowboarding instructor. You'll learn skills and safety guidelines like how to protect yourself. And you'll even learn how to fall to keep from getting hurt.

Once you're fit and know the basics—and even after you're an expert—you still need to take certain safety steps to stay safe on your skis or snowboard. Follow these guidelines to get the most out of your winter workout and have more fun on the slopes:

• Use the right equipment. Whether buying or renting, choose skiing or snowboarding equipment that's in good shape, of good quality, and fits you correctly. Protect yourself with a helmet made for skiing; goggles; shin, wrist, and arm guards; and gloves that fit correctly. Ski boots and bindings should be checked and adjusted by a ski professional. You should always double-check your bindings before you head down the slope.
• Pay attention. Keep a close eye on the trail, stay on course and on courses designed for your skill level. Be on the lookout for dangerous ice and stay away from it whenever possible. Always know the snow conditions before you ski or snowboard. If you are unsure of the conditions, check with the local ski patrol. Know and follow the rules of the ski resort.
• Pace yourself. Start out the day with a few slow, easy runs to warm up. Remember not to push yourself too hard or try a course that's beyond your skill level. Always snowboard or ski with a buddy. When you feel tired or if your muscles feel weak, take a break.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids when you're on the slopes all day. But stay away from alcohol. In addition to eating a healthy breakfast and lunch, you might want to pack healthy snack bars in a parka pocket.
• Know what to do in an emergency. Accidents happen. And things don't always go as planned. Know what to do if you or someone in your group has an injury, hypothermia (a drop in body temperature that can be dangerous), or frostbite.

Skiing and snowboarding are exercises that make winter truly fun. Just remember that both are serious sports that need preparation, safety measures, and skills. So, as soon as the air turns crisp, make sure to start working on winter fitness and you'll be prepared when the first snowflakes fall.