VO₂ Max Testing for Backcountry Skiing

Ski touring and ski mountaineering require elite fitness:

• Hours of uphill skinning at altitude
• Sustained aerobic effort with heavy pack
• 10,000-15,000+ foot days in big mountains
• Technical skiing when fatigued
• Safety margin through superior fitness

Unlike resort skiing, backcountry is primarily an aerobic uphill slog:

• 3-6+ hours of sustained climbing per day
• Mostly Zone 2-3 effort
• Altitude compounds the challenge
• VO₂ max testing optimizes skin track pace

After VO₂ max testing, structure training:

• Long Zone 2 efforts mimicking skin tracks
• Uphill hiking or stair mill for specificity
• Weighted pack training at proper intensity
• Back-to-back long days for tour prep

Testing in Santa Cruz provides baseline:

• Know your sea-level VO₂ max
• Calculate altitude-adjusted zones
• Understand limitations at 10,000+ feet
• Track fitness improvements in off-season

For skimo racers, VO₂ max is critical:

• Elite skimo racers have VO₂ max of 70-80+ ml/kg/min
• Sustained threshold efforts uphill
• Recovery between transition and descents
• Training intensity optimization

Superior fitness in backcountry means:

• Energy reserves for emergencies
• Clear decision-making (not fatigued)
• Ability to retreat if conditions deteriorate
• Rescue capability if needed

VO₂ Max Test: $250

Complete testing with backcountry skiing zones for uphill and touring endurance.

Fit Evaluations
311 Soquel Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Contact:
Phone: 831-400-9227
Email: info@fitevals.com

Professional VO₂ max testing for backcountry skiers and ski mountaineers. Convenient for Sierra touring.