It’s that time of year again, you’ve put on your warm layers and snuggled into the old familiar feeling of a soft neck gaiter on your cheeks as you get ready for the first day of ski season. You have waited since last April for the moment when you click into your bindings again and start everyone's favorite winter pastime, skiing!
But then it hits you like a freight train, halfway down your first run, your quads are burning, your back aches, and you realize maybe mountain biking and hiking weren’t quite enough to fully prep you for ski season.
Luckily, there are ways to prevent the early-season struggles with group ski fitness classes here in Utah designed specifically to get you in top shape for the slopes.
I had the opportunity to interview Linda Scholl, a physical therapist who launched the University of Utah Health ski fitness program more than 20 years ago. She explained that: “Skiing requires more strength than you get just hiking or biking. You’re controlling your body while sliding down a hill, and that takes specific preparation.” Linda started the program after noticing how many Utahns opted out of structured training in the summer and fall, then only to jump right back into skiing once winter arrived. The results? Early-season soreness, frustration, and a much steeper return to ski fitness curve. In comes ski fitness classes! Ski fitness classes are about building strength, confidence, and efficiency with the goal that your first day back on snow feels like mid-season.
Here is a list of some of the options for ski fitness classes in Park City and Salt Lake City. These options are for all levels of skiers, ranging from community-focused programs to high-level, sport-specific training. Here are some of the best ski fitness classes to get you ready for winter.
Ski Fitness Classes in Park City
Park City Ski & Snowboard Team – Masters Programs
For adults who want to train like the pros, the Park City Ski & Snowboard Team offers master’s programs at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Center of Excellence. Workouts run Mondays and Thursdays from 7:15–8:30 a.m. (summer Monday sessions start earlier at 6:30 a.m.), with options for one or two days per week. While you’re working out at the Center of Excellence with the PCSSS coaches, you’ll be surrounded by pictures of some of the best American skiers and snowboarders, giving you the extra bit of motivation to push yourself harder to prep for your best season yet. This class offers a unique opportunity to build strength and endurance in a world-class facility, surrounded by athletes and coaches who live and breathe ski performance.
Basin Recreation Fieldhouse – Ski Fitness Program
This community-based program led by Penelope O’Brien is offered at the Basin Recreation Fieldhouse from October 7–November 20, every Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Expect total-body conditioning, endurance work, and explosive movements tailored for skiing. It’s a great way to shake off the offseason rust and be ready for those early-season laps at Park City Mountain, Woodward Mountain Park, or Deer Valley Resort.
Ski Fitness Classes in Salt Lake City
Seek Studio – Winter Conditioning
Seek Studio is a boutique studio located in the Sugarhouse area, known for bringing intensity and community together in every class. Their winter conditioning series blends strength, cardio, and mobility to prepare your body for the demands of skiing. This year, they are offering the sessions three times per week, with each session focusing on a different aspect of fitness required for peak performance. These classes are perfect for those who like a high-energy group vibe with thoughtful programming to keep you strong and injury-resistant.
University of Utah Ski Conditioning – with Linda Scholl
Possibly the longest-running ski fitness class in Utah, this twice-weekly, eight-week program offered by University of Utah Health is a hallmark of ski fitness classes in Utah. As a physical therapist, Linda designed her class around progressive training principles. All participants start with controlled lifting techniques (squats, hip hinges, triple extension, landing mechanics) before advancing to higher-level power and agility work. For those who need it, low-impact options are also available.
This class is available to everyone, from sponsored skiers to those old enough to earn themselves a free Alta Ski Area pass. One of Linda’s favorite aspects of the class is seeing all participants at various fitness levels pushing themselves and each other to work hard and reach their goals. Over the last 20 years, Linda has watched her clients have their strongest ski seasons ever, and many of them report that when opening day arrives, they feel as solid as they usually do mid-season. Beyond strength, the program emphasizes community and confidence: teaching skiers how to move well, reduce injury risk, and start the season feeling strong. As a bonus, a weekly yoga class is included. This class is almost sold out for the season, so sign up soon if interested!
Pinnacle Performance – Ski Conditioning Program
If you’re looking for a deep dive into ski-specific strength and movement, Pinnacle’s 12-week progressive program is one of the most comprehensive in town. Each 1-hour 45-minute session combines Pilates reformer/tower work, Core Align, TRX, Oov, and functional training for power and endurance. The program covers spine and pelvic alignment, efficient movement mechanics, and symmetry for injury prevention. With sessions offered multiple times per week (starting September 22, 2025), you’ll leave with not only stronger legs but also a custom home program to keep you progressing all season.
The Front Climbing Club – Mountain Sports Strength & Conditioning
Not just for climbers, this class is designed for anyone doing mountain sports, from climbers to cyclists, to skiers and snowboarders. In this regularly offered class, you’ll train strength, power, and cardiovascular endurance using a mix of weights and bodyweight movements. This class aims to prepare you for high-altitude terrain and prevent the overuse injuries that can creep in when winter rolls around.
When Preparation Pays Off
Skiing demands more than just general fitness. As Linda explained, “You can hike and bike all summer, but it’s not the same as the controlled strength and power needed to ski safely.” The right preseason training can help reduce injury risk, build confidence, and make your first day on snow feel like you’ve already got half a season under your belt. Whether you’re training at the Center of Excellence in Park City, building community at the University of Utah Health University Orthopedic Center, or sweating it out in a pilates studio, there’s a class to fit every skier.
Don’t live in Utah? Check out my blog here to help you plan your own workouts at home.
