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Skiing with Type 1

Lizzyads

Member
Messages
14
Location
Manchester UK
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Any advice welcomed... Skiing in a few weeks for a week in France, will have my trusty jelly babies and have Kendal mint cake, my nurse advises to drastically reduce my insulin. Both myself and son type 1 so will end up with a rucksack full of food and medical paraphernalia! Is it just trial and error with doses? Thanks
 
Hi, I did a snowboarding holiday some years ago (I'm type 1) ili have to say I remember it being quite challenging.

Like you I thought the best thing would be to reduce insulin. I ended up spending the week quite high. I'm not sure if it was something to do with the temperature but my sugar levels didn't drop like I expected given that I spent most of the day exercising. It's quite difficult to get a correction dose in with all the layers on.

One thing I remember... My meter didn't work on the first day due to the cold. Next day wrapped it in a ski sock and took some gel activated handwarmers to keep it warm enough.
 
Hi, I did a snowboarding holiday some years ago (I'm type 1) ili have to say I remember it being quite challenging.

Like you I thought the best thing would be to reduce insulin. I ended up spending the week quite high. I'm not sure if it was something to do with the temperature but my sugar levels didn't drop like I expected given that I spent most of the day exercising. It's quite difficult to get a correction dose in with all the layers on.

One thing I remember... My meter didn't work on the first day due to the cold. Next day wrapped it in a ski sock and took some gel activated handwarmers to keep it warm enough.
Very good tip re the meter and hand warmer, I shall do that, thanks, and check my bloods when I stop (many times I'm sure) for a beer!
 
I can't remember how skiing affected my bs but I know I did test a lot more. I think I ran higher than usual - probably due to chocolate crepes etc and of course Apres ski beer, nibbles more beer and wine etc. Jealous hope you enjoy it!
 
H Lizzy I ski each year in France, few things to think about..

Reduce basal by a third, eat a good breakfast each day, say porridge, reduce bolus ratio also for breakfast and lunch if skiing all day but watch out in the evenings as bg can start to rise then.

Keep your blood glucose monitor close to your skin, it can show error messages if too cold, I put mine under my thermals. Try and test each hour on your first day to build a picture, if your really high up then use the lift shelters to test in as your hands can get quite cold.

Hypo awareness reduces at high altitude, so testing is essential, I've had a few hypos and had no idea.

Jelly babies is the best hypo treatment

Have a lot of fun and stay safe, I did my first black run whilst dka, definitely never put me off !!!
 
Same for me, I reduce basal by a third and use the excuse to carry lots of mini mars/snickers to keep topping up during day. If you are skiing all day then I find you may have increased insulin sensitivity into evening too.
 
I've had quite a few problems with my tester recently been too cold to test properly and giving an error so keep it warm where you can!
 
H Lizzy I ski each year in France, few things to think about..

Reduce basal by a third, eat a good breakfast each day, say porridge, reduce bolus ratio also for breakfast and lunch if skiing all day but watch out in the evenings as bg can start to rise then.

Keep your blood glucose monitor close to your skin, it can show error messages if too cold, I put mine under my thermals. Try and test each hour on your first day to build a picture, if your really high up then use the lift shelters to test in as your hands can get quite cold.

Hypo awareness reduces at high altitude, so testing is essential, I've had a few hypos and had no idea.

Jelly babies is the best hypo treatment

Have a lot of fun and stay safe, I did my first black run whilst dka, definitely never put me off !!!
 
Sis-in-law is in Les Gets, not that far at all, dumping it down and more forecast! Last week or week before there was no snow at all, not even really cold enough for the snow cannons at night but now it's all go go go! Have a great time!
 
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