What this calculator does
This tool estimates how many calories (kcal) you burn while skiing and during related snow activities such as cross-country skiing, downhill and alpine skiing, snowboarding, and walking on snow with snowshoes. It uses the widely accepted MET (metabolic equivalent) method, where each activity is assigned an intensity value. The MET reference values come from the revised "Compendium of Physical Activity METs" published by the Japanese National Institute of Health and Nutrition, itself derived from the international Compendium of Physical Activities, so the figures are internationally valid and the method applies universally.
How to use it
Pick the skiing activity that best matches what you did from the dropdown — its MET value is shown in parentheses. Enter your exercise time in minutes and your body weight in kilograms, then read off the estimated calories burned plus the exercise intensity in METs.
The formula explained
The calculation is: $$\text{calories} = \text{MET} \times \text{body weight (kg)} \times \text{duration in hours} \times 1.05$$. Duration is entered in minutes and divided by 60 to convert to hours. The constant 1.05 is the standard kcal per kilogram per MET-hour conversion factor used in the METs guideline (1 MET-hour is approximately 1.05 kcal per kg of body weight).
Worked example
Suppose you do "General" skiing (MET = 7) for 90 minutes at a body weight of 70 kg. First convert time: \(90 / 60 = 1.5\) hours. Then: $$7 \times 70 \times 1.5 \times 1.05 = 771.75 \text{ kcal}.$$ The exercise intensity is 7 METs and the estimated energy burned is about 771.75 kcal.
FAQ
Why convert minutes to hours? MET values describe energy use per hour, so the formula needs time in hours. Entering minutes is more convenient, so the tool divides by 60 for you.
Is the result exact? No. It is an estimate. Actual calorie expenditure varies with individual metabolism, fitness level, terrain, snow conditions, and technique. Treat it as a reasonable guide rather than a precise measurement.
What does the 1.05 constant mean? It converts MET-hours into kilocalories per kilogram of body weight; one MET-hour is roughly 1.05 kcal per kg.
