How the Swedish stars spend their rest days during the Tour de Ski

Tour
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.
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

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.

As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site and live streaming of Ski Classics Pro Tour events with English commentary.

When you become part of one of the world’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round. 

Banner 2024

REGISTER HERE AS A MEMBER

Show sharing buttons

Subscribe to our newsletter

Most read

More Articles

  • Grönklitt

    Grönklitt weekend: Ski Classics Season XVI heads to Scandinavia

    The Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI heads to Scandinavia this weekend, as the ski destination Orsa Grönklitt in Sweden will host the Grönklitt Criterium 61 on Saturday and the Grönklitt ITT on Sunday.
    by Leandro Lutz
    11.02.2025
  • Deedra Irwin: Gearing up for the IBU World Championships

    by Katerina Paul
    11.02.2025
  • Swedish national team for the Falun World Cup 

    by Leandro Lutz
    11.02.2025
  • Silje Øyre Slind’s journey to success

    by André Santos
    11.02.2025
  • Biathlon World Championships 2025: Complete program for Lenzerheide

    by Leandro Lutz
    11.02.2025