The two Swedish cross-country skiing stars reveal what rest days in the Tour de Ski might include, the importance of proper energy intake, and which skiers in the national team struggle to take it easy.

Rest days are a crucial part of the Tour de Ski, offering skiers a chance to recover and recharge for upcoming competitions. But what does a rest day look like for elite skiers? ProXCskiing.com’s sister site Langd.se spoke with Jens Burman and Truls Gisselman, two members of the Swedish national team, who shared their routines and thoughts on rest days.

Active Rest to Keep the Body Moving

Both Jens Burman and Truls Gisselman emphasize the importance of active rest on non-competition days. Lounging on the couch isn’t an option for these athletes.

“Active rest is what we call it. Go out and do some light training to avoid getting completely sluggish. It’s usually good to move a little lightly and calmly so you recover faster,” says Jens Burman.

Truls Gisselman, who has been battling for placements during the Tour de Ski, agrees. He describes his rest days as a balance between activity and relaxation.

“It’s usually a light session in the morning, with some ski testing and checking out the course for the next day. Then, often, there’s a short jog in the evening, maybe 20–30 minutes. The idea is to keep moving moderately, so you don’t completely stiffen up,” Gisselman explains.

Time Outside of Training

When the athletes aren’t exercising, their days are filled with quieter activities. For Jens Burman, this often means watching series or hanging out with teammates:

“Either you watch series, movies, or hang out. Sometimes I study a little. Preferably a new series with lots of seasons, so you’ve got something to work through, so to speak,” says Burman.

He also notes that some members of the team find it hard to fully relax:

“I’d probably say Ebba Andersson and Emil Danielsson. They seem to want to stay active and entertain themselves in some way.”

Focus on Energy Intake

Truls Gisselman, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of combining activity with replenishing energy:

“The focus is on getting in as much as possible. There’s a lot of pasta here in Italy, as well as liquid options like juice to get extra carbohydrates,” says the 23-year-old.

“It’s a challenge to consume enough, but I haven’t noticed any signs of falling short so far. That’s the most important thing, along with sleep and recovery,” Gisselman stresses.

Variation Among Individuals

Both Burman and Gisselman acknowledge that there’s variation in how athletes approach their rest days. Jens highlights Erik Rosjö as an example of someone who likely takes rest very seriously:

“I think he’s good at taking it easy and chilling. I rarely see him—he might lock himself in his room,” Burman says with a laugh.

However, Gisselman points out that complete rest is rare:

“It feels like everyone wants to get out and move in some way on rest days. I’ve never seen anyone take a total rest day,” Gisselman notes.

The Balance Between Rest and Performance

In the end, rest days are about finding a balance that works for each individual. For the skiers in the Tour de Ski, these days aren’t just a chance to recover physically but also an opportunity to recharge mentally for the intense competition days ahead. With the right strategy, a rest day can be a decisive factor for success on the trails.

Today, Sunday, January 5, 2025, Tour de Ski concludes for this 2024/2025 edition.

Read More – Tour de Ski: Standings, start lists and start times ahead of the Final Climb

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