There are multiple reasons why your calves might hurt after skiing, including muscle soreness from overuse and boots that don’t fit properly. Sore calves aren’t that big of a deal after skiing unless the pain prevents you from skiing more.
I’m Christine, and I created this blog to give skiers a place where they can find all the information they want to know related to the sport. I’ve researched to come up with the information here and have first-hand experience with sore calves.
This article will explore why your calves hurt after skiing. I’ll give you some possible causes for this and tell you what you can do to help prevent the pain or make it go away.
Let’s dive in.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Sore calves are pretty common for skiers who are just learning or when you first start skiing at the beginning of the season. This is typically caused by overuse and exertion and isn’t a big deal.
- Ski boots that don’t fit correctly can also cause calf pain, so it’s always important to know how to choose boots that work for your body.
- If you have severe pain or swelling, you are probably dealing with a calf injury of some sort. You shouldn’t ski until this pain goes away or you see a doctor or other healthcare professional about it.
Why Do My Calves Hurt After Skiing?
The most common reason your calves hurt after skiing is exertion and overuse. Skiing is a demanding activity and places a lot of stress on your lower body and legs, including your calves.
If you just started learning how to ski or the ski season just started and you aren’t yet in shape, having sore muscles after a day on the slopes is pretty standard. It’s usually not a big deal and just what happens when you exert yourself all day.
Skiing places stress on your calf muscles because you are leaning forward and engaging these muscles all the time when you ski. This is a different feeling than what you might be used to from running or other forms of exercise.
But the more you ski, the stronger your calve muscles will get. This means that you shouldn’t experience pain all of the time. You might deal with it for a few weeks until you build strength and stamina, but things should improve afterward.
Your calves might also hurt because your ski boots don’t fit properly. If your boots are too tight or too loose, this can also cause pain, muscle soreness, and fatigue. It’s crucial that you get boots that fit you properly.
Swollen Calves after Skiing
If you have severe pain and are experiencing swollen calves after skiing, you might be dealing with an injury rather than just sore muscles from overuse. This can be a serious issue, so you should take it easy and not ski when they are swollen.
Again, if you are new to skiing or it’s at the beginning of the season, your body might just be adjusting to a new activity. But if you notice any sort of moment when the pain started in your calves and they become swollen, you are probably injured.
Swollen calves could result from a pulled muscle or Achilles tendon injury, so it’s nothing to mess around with. You need to take care of yourself and limit physical activity until they get better, which means no skiing.
Icing your legs and calves is a good idea if they are swollen. This can help reduce the swelling and also ease the pain. You can fill a bucket or bathtub full of ice or cold water and submerge your legs.
FAQs
Here are a few quick answers to some of the most frequently asked questions relating to why calves hurt after skiing.
Does skiing work your calves?
Skiing does work your calves. While you ski, your calves and other lower leg muscles are almost constantly in action. The steady flexing and twisting that occurs when you ski make your calves work pretty hard.
Does skiing make your calves sore?
Skiing can definitely make your calves sore. Not everyone will experience sore calves after skiing, but it can happen to any who is just learning or during your first few days of the season. As long as the soreness isn’t severe, it’s really no big deal.
How tight should ski boots be on calves?
You want your ski boots to be pretty tight on your calves. This might not seem like the best advice if your calves get sore, but supporting them well is better than being too loose. Ask the techs at the rental shop if you don’t know how to get boots that fit.
Final Thoughts
Skiing is a strenuous activity that can cause your calves to hurt because of exertion or overuse. This usually isn’t a big deal, and your muscles will get stronger after you ski for a few days. If the pain is severe, you might be injured and need to take some time off.
Have you ever dealt with calf pain after skiing? Let me know in the comments below.
