In a relaxed conversation, ProXCskiing talked about her season preparation, her first races this winter, the Visma Ski Classics Premiere in Orsa Grönklitt, her plans for the upcoming races, and of course, whether to have a workout or not on New Year’s Day.

Despite being only 23 years young, Ida Dahl is an experienced Swedish skier, both in long-distance and traditional cross-country skiing. 

With 20 Visma Ski Classic Pro Tour and 5 Visma Ski Classics Challengers starts, including podium places at Tåssåsen Criterium 64 (2nd), Vasaloppet (3rd), Jizerská Padesátka (2nd), Marcialonga (3rd), Toblach-Cortina (2nd), Båstad-Molle (2nd), Bessemerloppet (1st) and Craft Ski Marathon (2nd), she is currently leading the 2021/2022 Visma Ski Classics Youth competition with 174 points. Dahl is also 3rd in the Champion and Climb competitions and 7th in the Sprint competition.

Now that you know more about Ida, sit comfortably on your sofa, and enjoy this New Year’s chat!

Ida, happy new year, and congratulations on your Visma Ski Classics Premiere races. Watching the first long-distance skiing races, we thought that all women were training hard and ready for the Visma Ski Classics Season XII. How was your Premiere? 

“Thank you very much. My Premiere was good, I felt that my body was not used to skiing hard for so long, but there will be more races to get used to and adapt to. I did not know what to expect, so mostly just tried to have fun and was just happy to be on the starting line.”

And how was your preparation for the winter season? Did everything go according to plan?

“My preparation for winter went well, even if it didn’t turn out as I expected. At the end of the summer, my back started to bother me, so in August, September, and October, I did not roller-skied at all, only bike and short sessions on the SkiErg. Have always been able to keep the training going, never felt stressed about it, but confident that the training I did was good, even if it was not specific. But right now, we are in Livigno, and the training is going well.”

You are an experienced skier in both long-distance and traditional cross-country skiing. Before the Visma Ski Classics Premiere, did you start in any traditional cross-country skiing races this season? How was it? In your opinion, is traditional cross-country skiing a complement to long-distance skiing races, or is it challenging to combine both during the winter season?

“Before Orsa Grönklitt, I raced the Swedish Cup in Bruksvallarna and a FIS race in Őstersund. In my opinion, both races went well, and it was enjoyable to do some shorter races. Now that our season has started, I would say that it’s almost impossible to combine these if you race all the events in Visma Ski Classics because most race dates conflict with each other. But when the opportunity arises, I think it’s a fun complement.”

And now 2022 has arrived. On January 1, do you like to have a New Year’s workout, or do you like to stay at home with your family and friends and relax?

“I usually do a workout in the morning and then cook good food and hang out with family or friends in the afternoon and evening. I enjoy celebrating with friends and appreciate quiet evenings playing bingo with my family.” 

So, you are an active skier on New Year’s Day. What’s your training routine and your favorite workout on this special day?

“I would not say that I have any specific training I always do, but if the weather is good, I probably prefer to do a long and easy ski workout in the sun with some good friends!”

And as it could not be missing, New Year’s Day is a time for reflection and plans. What are your resolutions and wishes for 2022?

“I hope my body will continue to be strong, so I can complete the season as I want, and of course, the goal is to get to the top of the podium during the season. Otherwise, I don’t have any specific New Year’s resolutions more than the usual ones that family and friends stay healthy.”

Happy New Year to Ida Dahl and all our readers, members, subscribers, and social media followers around the World!

Thank you for being with us in 2021. See you in 2022!