The Fueling Gap
(5 Minutes)
Let's talk about nutrition in environments that we don't typically even think about. For most of us, whether we have a run, bike, or lift, we meticulously plan our nutrition strategy for the activity. Carb loading, gels, electrolytes, protein, etc, and it makes a HUGE difference. You don't crash mid-way through your run, you can ride 30 plus miles on your bike without feeling hungry or dehydrated.
So why isn't that the same mindset for when we head up the mountain for the day or into the water for hours on end? For me, I exert much more energy skiing than in any long run or ride, and by the end of the day, I am dehydrated and absolutely drained of energy.
That’s exactly why we created Peak Hydration – and why understanding these two nutrition factors will change how you perform all day long.
Hydration: The Overlooked Essential
I’m sure I am not the only person who has stopped to pee in the woods and noticed their urine is an alarming shade of yellow that screams dehydration.
SO…let's talk about why dehydration sneaks up on us on the mountain:
Skiing and boarding are a mix of explosive bursts of energy and sustained endurance, making them extremely demanding on the body. And once you’re dehydrated, your performance drops.
Typically, we associate dehydration with heat, sweating, fatigue, and thirst, all signs of fluid loss. But in colder environments, you don't notice them as easily.
Here's what makes mountain hydration especially tricky: Cold air suppresses your thirst. A study at Minnesota Duluth shows up to a 40% decrease in thirst when you’re exposed to cold air. So even when you desperately need hydration, your brain doesn't send the signal to drink. Your body is literally working against its own warning system.
The consequences are real. Even mild dehydration forces your body to burn through energy faster. As dehydration increases, your performance goes down the drain, reducing heart and muscle efficiency along with reaction time, judgment, and decision-making. Which is why most mountain accidents happen later in the day.
Not to mention that most of us start the ski day already in a dehydrated state, and even when we take water breaks in between runs, we can't fully replace the fluids lost before.
PEAK HYDRATION:
Bringing the Endurance Mindset to Extreme Environments
The problem is clear: Traditional hydration strategies don't work on the mountain. You can't rely on thirst. You can’t (and won't) stop every 20 minutes for a water break. And just drinking water won't cut it when you’re losing electrolytes through hours of high-intensity activity in cold and dry environments.
The solution isn’t drinking more water; it's drinking smarter.
Which is why we are developing Peak Hydration, specifically built for athletes who spend all day in these demanding environments. It’s everything you need in one scoop. Mix it up in the morning to start your day fully hydrated. Formulated with a balanced electrolyte profile for hydration, nootropic amino acids to support cognitive alertness and mental performance, and vitamins your body needs to endure the elements. Pair that with consistent water intake, and you’ll stay sharp from your first to last run.
Be the first to experience Peak Hydration
We’re launching soon, and waitlist members get early access and exclusive launch pricing before anyone else. Join the skiers and boarders who are done with mid-day crashes and who never start a ski day dehydrated again. Limited quantities available for our first drop.
Energy Management for All Day Sessions
The fueling mistake almost everyone makes when skiing or boarding. Ignoring food entirely or crushing a burger at lunch and wondering why the afternoon runs feel terrible.
First, understanding glycogen: your body’s stored form of carbohydrates (energy). Kept in your muscles and liver as quick-access fuel for high-intensity activity. When you’re skiing hard, you burn through these stores fast. Once they are depleted, your performance crashes. In the endurance world, we call this a bonk.
So ask yourself:
Would you run a marathon on just breakfast and a candy bar?
If you answered yes… You are insane.
Here's the reality: Any regular exercise over 2 hours demands serious fueling. Your body burns through glycogen fast, and even faster when you're dehydrated. You wonder why mid-way through your ski day, your performance drops… you’re bonking, and you don't even realize it.
The solution is simple:
Start your day with a carb-focused breakfast: pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, pastries, fruit, and toast. Your body won't discriminate; it’ll burn through pancakes just as readily as oatmeal or fruit.
Then replenish your glycogen stores every 2-3 hours with quick digesting carbohydrates snacks. When lunch time rolls around, keep it light so you’re not weighed down for your afternoon. Save the pig out for apres.
My go-to snacks:
Untapped Waffles: I used these in my past Ironman 70.3, along with them in my pocket every day on the slopes. These waffles are delicious and clean.
Bucknaked Bears: Nothing beats some frozen candy on a ski day. These gummies are made from real fruit and have nothing to hide.
Lenka Bars: Recently found these this year, whole ingredients, and bold flavors that are quite tasty.
Bring it all together
You already know how to fuel for performance, you do it every time you lace up your running shoes or clip into your pedals. It’s time to bring that same intention to the mountain. Skiing, snowboarding, surfing, and other extreme sports in extreme environments demand more from your body than your structured training sessions. We’ve just been treating them like recreation instead of performance.
The difference between staying energized throughout the day and bonking is strategy. Starting and staying hydrated. Having consistent energy through every turn.
Next time you’re headed out, change your approach: hydrate strategically, fuel consistently, and watch how much longer you can stay out there performing at your best.
Want to be first in line for Peak Hydration? Join our waitlist for exclusive early access and updates as we finalize our hydration mix for athletes who refuse to let the environment limit their performance.
Stay Inconstantmotion–
ZP
