Winter Sports and Calories

I love to snowboard. I do it most weekends during the winter. My question has to do with calories. I have done some research and the consensus is about 5 hours of snowboarding burns from about 2500-3000 calories. Wow, that's a lot. Of course that's for my weight. I figured five hours because we go for about 8 and I figured 3 hours for lift weighting a the occasional break. I rarely stop for lunch because we take protein bars.

 Here is my question. Snowboarding takes A LOT of energy. Usually we go for breakfast  before to get fueled up. I have really been watching my calories to lose weight. I eat usually around 1500, and up to about 1800 once or twice a week. I am thinking on days I snowboard, I should eat a much bigger and higher calorie breakfast than normal. I can't get out of the mindset though of having a normal 300 calorie breakfast. Can anyone give me some advice on snowboarding days?

you might want to consider taking more food with you. Bananas are good. My favorite skiing snack is PB&J sandwiches. You can make a few (3-400 cals a pop) and stuff them in pockets or backpacks. If you fall on them they just squish a little, and the peanut butter is great for energy. Nuts, too. I like clif brand Mojo bars for the high amount of nuts in them.

Basically, if you feel hungry, eat. If not, don't worry about it. Though, you might feel more hungry the next day, too. And remember to drink lots (LOTS!) of water. You sweat a lot but don't always feel it when it's cold. Try a camelback. that way all your food and water is right there.

camels rock.  i would definitely recommend getting one, especially if you'll be out on the snow often during the winter.

i agree...eat when you are hungry, and go for lots of snacks between runs and whatnot.   

I do a lot of snowboarding as well. I think that maybe the calories burned may vary due to the skill level of the person. A beginner will go slower and make harder cuts where more pressure will be placed on the frontside and backside edge. Also getting up several times from falling may at some more work. I personally have been going for almost 10 yrs now and tend to let the mountain do the work. However, my entire body is extremely sore the next day and you use so many muscles, muscles I didn't even know I had.

I burn about 300 - 350 calories on the elliptical for 30 min. So if I were to do 10 min on and 10 min off on the elliptical for a hour that would be equal to your estimate of 1 hour snowboarding which seems about right.

My snowboarding snacks are usually fruit. Fruit is packed with carbs. You need a ton of carbs for energy. Take some oranges with you. My basketball coach in high school would give us oranges at halftime. I take bananas too. Oatmeal bars are great too except if you plan to eat them on the mountain I would suggest a camel (they make me thirsty). PB & J on wheat is probably my favorite lunch snack. Sugar for quick energy and carbs to keep me going for a while. However I don't suggest carrying anything other than a camel or a few bars with you on the mountain. One fall on your back and your food is toast. A round object on you, like an apple, can really hurt or even injure you if you fall on it wrong.

After I wrote this I found this article which will give you some more ideas:

http://www.skiengine.com/stories/1021/stoke-u p-on-energy-foods-for-skiing.html

I understand that it is important to keep hydrated when snowboarding and I find myself often thirsty when I haven't taken a break for a while. Though last year I was advised by a ski patrol person when I rode the lift with her that camel packs are dangerous on a chair lift. Some mountains where I live won't let you ride the lifts with them because they can catch on the chair lift when you try to get off. (moisture from the pack adhering to metal or a peace of the pack catching on something) People really hurt them selfs because they end up hanging off the lift with their arms still strapped in. I just leave a pack of water and snacks in the lodge and try and get down and rehydrate every two hours or so. The important part is to chug a lot of water on the less frequent breaks.

About eating. I just make sure to have a very soild breakfast like oatmeal and eggs. Just make sure you remembering that you are eatting a lot smaller lunch and you need the fuel. I hate getting dizzy and hungry on the slopes. I bring a cliff bar or two with me and I never seem to have a problem.

 Have an awsome season!

P.S. Love to see that more girls snowboard. All my girlfriends ski I am one of three girls I know who snowboard.