Why Music Hits Harder on the Slopes

Music has the incredible capability to elevate experiences, even ones that you already love, like skiing and snowboarding. But while it adds another layer of enjoyment and personalisation, it delivers a few unexpected benefits too. The combination of an exhilarating run down the mountain paired with your favourite soundtrack is unlike any other experience. Let’s take a look at the impact music can have while you’re on the slopes and why it seems to hit harder in these moments. 

Music Enhances Performance
The connection between music and athletic performance has been studied across various types of physical activity and been shown to enhance performance in a variety of ways. These impacts are both psychological and physiological, ranging from improved mood to better endurance.

Boosts Mood and Energy
The right soundtrack can boost your mood and energy, which can help you push through challenges, fear, and fatigue. This translates to a stronger performance and a more enjoyable experience. Music can leave you feeling empowered as you glide down the mountain, take on jumps, curves, and any terrain in your path. If you’re a more cautious or nervous skier or snowboarder, it can also help you manage any pre-run jitters or worries, allowing you to get into the zone and feel more confident and capable as you take on a run.

Better Concentration, Rhythm, and Flow
The steady tempo of music can help you zone in and find a steady rhythm and flow that will enable you to respond to the run with fluidity and ease. Part of this is because your movements synchronise with the music, improving your efficiency and performance. Another part is that music helps you focus on the task at hand by engaging your brain’s attention systems, which is why it can also enhance mental tasks like studying for an exam.

Better Endurance
In addition to enhancing focus and boosting moods, music can also improve physiological responses to exercise, resulting in better endurance. Music can regulate your heart rate and breathing, allowing you to perform better for longer periods—and when you’re trying to maximise your time on the slopes, it’s hard not to appreciate this benefit. 

Music Forms a Deeper Connection to the Run
The physiological and psychological benefits of music while on the slopes enhance your physical capabilities, allowing you to push your limits and enjoy a run (or multiple runs) to the fullest. But music also has another profound impact when you’re on the slopes: it helps you stay alert and tuned into the moment, deepening your connection to the run. 

This connection also carries through once you’re off the slopes. Every time you hear the playlist that accompanied you on your run, you’ll be transported back to the slope and the adrenaline of making it down the mountain. This is because music, in addition to stimulating your attention, stimulates the memory centres of your brain. So not only will music enhance your time on the slopes, it will also transport you there when you want to relive the joy of gliding through fresh powder. 

The connection people form to activities through music is what makes it popular and essential in so many different experiences. It contributes to the experience of the ski resort’s après ski atmosphere, fosters relaxation at a spa with nature sounds and gentle melodies, and even fuels a whole subgenre of popular music-themed online slots that put music right at the front and centre of the gaming experience.

Choosing the Right Music and Audio Equipment
How can you maximise the influence music has on the body and mind? By choosing the right music and equipment for the experience. The good news is that music can have these positive effects regardless of genre, meaning you can listen to your favourite artists and still reap these benefits. Tempo is the most important factor when choosing music, so you’ll have a great deal of flexibility to craft a playlist that’s ideally suited to your speed and music preferences.

The most challenging part of adding music to skiing and snowboarding comes down to audio equipment. Finding options that work with all your gear can be tricky, especially when factoring in helmets and layers. You’ll also want to be able to control your playlist with ease, and most systems aren’t designed for use with gloves and bulky clothing. Because of this, you’ll want to experiment with different options to find ones that work best for you. 

Some tools, like jacket-mounted remotes with enlarged buttons, can be operated even when you’re dressed in multiple warm layers, helping address some of these challenges. Then there are also different types of headphones to consider, and these are where experimentation is most important. Some people prefer the flexibility of wireless headphones since they’re easy to connect with your phone through multiple layers, but others worry about how easily they can be lost if you fall on a run. There is an increasing number of options that combine wireless control and secure fit or seamlessly integrate with helmets to add ease and convenience to enhancing your runs with music. Assess your comfort level, budget, and reviews to determine which will work best for you.

Important Safety Considerations
While music can enhance your skiing and snowboarding experience, there are some important safety tips to keep in mind on your runs. It may be tempting to blast your playlist so that you can immerse yourself in the moment and forget the rest of the world, and while this instinct is understandable, it can leave you unaware of the environment around you, putting you in danger. Ensure you can still hear the environment around you, asthis will help you stay aware of other skiers and snowboarders and other potential hazards. It will also protect your hearing. To address these concerns, keep one ear free and avoid noise-cancelling headphones. By following these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of music on your next run down the slopes while staying fully aware of your surroundings.