Mountain Biking - Any changes to "training" during the winter?

Is BASE BUILDING a big thing with mountain biking like the Roadie world? I've been back into mountain biking for about 15 months and enjoy it more than ever. I do want to improve. Strength and endurance are still priorities.

Lunges and squats seem to be big in things that I read. Other bike disciplines keep the heart rate in Z2-3 for 2 months and just ride a ton of seemingly boring miles.

Is that important to building strength, do you have some plans? Conversation in Training and Nutrition seems to focus on Road work. I hope for something more specific.

I dont really 'train', I just keep active. I play lots of hockey, lift weights, core and plyometrics, hike-a-bikes and ride to work occasionally.

When I'm doing what I should during the winter, my training approach is three-pronged: spinning classes for the pedalling part; daily stability ball routine (crunches, etc. - - a set that I got from an issue of Runner's World mag) for lower trunk/abdominal muscle sets; and weights for upper-body strength. I had my best two seasons from a fitness-base standpoint when I did this religiously.

And I keep up with my lunch time running all winter as best I can with road/snow conditions.

WTF is "training"?

I just eat things like summer sausage w/ hot mustard, mexican food and lots of candy. That really helps me get through the cold months.

I do sprint work on the track bike and road rides and will head to the local skate park once a week.

WTF is "training"?It's that healthy activity I've been shirking since new seasons of Burn Notice and Eureka started. :o

I would suggest jogging & running on a softer surface.