How long do muscles take to repair themselves?

I am trying to get fit for an upcoming ski holiday and don’t have much time left.
So, following what basics I know about exercise, I am doing a mix of jogging, walking and weight work with a day on/day off approach to the muscle groups involved, because prior to the past month I hadn’t done much exercise at all and the last thing i want to do is injure myself before the holiday.
But it occurred to me that this idea that muscles need 48 hours to repair themselves might not be true, because almost nothing about the human body holds true for everyone.

So my question is, does anyone have any proof about how long it takes for muscles to repair/get stronger when exercising?

If it makes any difference ebcause of gender, I am a 34 year old female.

Oh, and I have nothing to cite for the 48 hour muscle repair theory, but it was told to me by several different health professionals over the years…

I think I found my answers here:

just in case i have made others curious. It was a good, easy to read article.
Feel free to shoot it down in flames if you think they’re wrong though…

Short answer, muscles start repairing immediately after exercise and soreness kicks in anywhere from 12-36 hours afterwards.