SKI SOUL- Transitioning From Ski Season to Off Season

All good things must come to an end, but spring skiing allows you to chase those moments. But how do you tranistion to off season?

It's easy to get lost in winter. From chasing lines, dreaming of endless powder, to searching for that moment that creates the blissful flow that we all chase. Then poof, it is gone. We all know winter is seasonal, yet every season we all keep chasing that next turn, hoping spring doesn't show herself. The life force that ignited that motivation, and even for a brief time, becomes your identity, gone.

Sure, we have off-season sports. Surfing, climbing, water skiing, pick your poison. For some of us, though, winter is everything. A select few have the ability to chase winter either through work or luxury, but for the majority, that simply isn't an option.

It is more than losing the activity itself. Mountain and ski towns go quiet, communities sprawl, and friends evaporate. Those daily interactions (chairlift conversations we are looking at you) seem to become harder to find and the community that you've built is no more- at least until the first snow falls in a few months. New relationships forged, old ones strengthened, often to a screeching halt.

Why does this feel like such a huge blow? When you break it down, it is multidimensional and has a hold on your daily life that has consumed you for the last six months. Skiing is more than a sport. It creates a sense of purpose through constant progression. New lines, zones, and tricks the entirety of ski season, is naturally designed as progression. From early-season laps to peak-season objectives, finally spring skiing the entire time builds up and then crescendos, leaving you feeling invincible. Then nothing.

We all know that sense of dopamine-seeking reward loop (that sensation you get via skiing or also more commonly scrolling on your phone). "Dopamine pursues more, not mortality." Lieberman, Daniel and Long, Michael. The Molecule of More. Benbella, 2018. Skiing is no different. Chasing new feelings of new lines creates the same chemical release. Going cold turkey hurts.

I would be lying if those first few days of not having to wake up at dawn didn't feel great. Is the body sore? Duh. Am I mentally exhausted beyond belief? Staring down survival almost daily will have that effect. But this quickly fades to something that feels like it is missing. How do we march forward?

Recover, rest, and reset. All critical to performance.

Recover. Whether your season is four months or seven (West Coast, you know what I am talking about), your body is tired. Taking a break and allowing your muscles and joints to rest from that repetitive motion is beneficial. You know that injury you have been avoiding since February? Now is the time to do some rehab and rest.

Explore with new activities. Finding a new sport or hobby is a great way to find new adventures.

Explore. Take this chance to go find new ways to adventure. Whether that is keeping the adrenaline going or finding ways to unwind and recenter, try new things. Cooking classes, reading a new book, and trying a new sport all help you tap into yourself.

Take time to find awe outside

Go Outside. We already know how great being outdoors is for you (you've experienced the benefits firsthand), science backs these claims beyond doubt. It may be easy to find yourself less outside than during peak season, but don't let the lack of snowfall deter you from getting some fresh air with some views.

Reach out to those friends who prefer being off the mountain

Connect. It is easy for relationships that are not built around the mountains to fade during the ski season. Take advantage of the "downtime" and reach out and reconnect with those who do not share your passion for flying down a hill.

Raise your hand if you find yourself putting things off to the wayside during the ski season?

Catch Up. No judgement, during the season it is easy to let things fall to the wayside. That repair you have been needing to do? Forgotten once that powder hits. Dentist apts? Do they even work in the winter? You catch my drift.

Remember, regardless of how long and hot the summer is, winter will be back soon. In the meantime, rest, recover, and explore.

What is your favourite way to keep busy during the off-season? Tell us in the comments below.