Skiing is an Attitude

skierman_jack

skierman_jack

Active member
It took me several minutes just to sit up in bed this morning. I didn't mind. I actually smiled a little bit. Every inch ached. My feet, my back, my knees, shoulders etc. I stood with my cup of warm coffee looking out the single window of my dreary hospital-like dorm room and reflected. Yesterday was day 1 of a new season; a new beginning. It was just hours ago I stood legs shaking, back sweating, face burning, and smile gleaming upon a white mountain. I read a text from my lady friend that said "It was so nice to finally see you smiling for once".

Mental health is really tricky to talk about and really hard to explain. Some days are spent convincing myself it's worth it to get up and live my life. Some days I look in the mirror and I don't even recognize myself. Every day the same thing: wake up, work, struggle, suffer, and pretend everything is okay so nobody worries about you. It's really debilitating to give life your all when you know at the end of the day you will still wonder why you go on and why you wake up every morning. Luckily I was reminded of what it's like to be alive yesterday.

I've always tried to pinpoint what it is about skiing, especially park skiing, that seems to be what drives me. What motivates me. What grounds me. What reminds me of who Jack is. Is it the freedom? Is it the adrenaline? I'm not quite sure. But whatever it is, it puts me back in touch with who I am. It makes me want to elevate everyone around me. It makes me want to help people who are struggling. It makes me want to share laughs and fist bumps with total strangers.

When we bring positivity and inclusion and passion and energy into our skiing communities, the outcome is most beautiful. We have the power to build each other up and help each other out. Its not about your gear or who you hang out with or what tricks you can do. It all boils down to the attitude that you bring into the community. Sometimes all you need to have a good time is a smile and a positive attitude. So yeah. I smiled yesterday. It's been a really long time since I've been able to say that. I felt like I was once again in touch with who I am. Hell, my pseudo-Canadian accent was coming back.

TL:DR I went skiing and it reminded me why I ski and how sometimes just the right attitude makes all the difference.
 
Feel you man yesterday was my first day too. Spending the last 10 week doing nothing cause of a broken collarbone and weirdness in my shoulder. Landing a simple 360 on a little side hit made me so happy. Today i can barely walk but so worth
 
Hell yeah, Eldora! Did you get ikon?

Totally know what you’re talking about. I think part of it is losing ourselves in the process and everything else washing away.
 
I felt this heavy. I notice myself dreaming of skiing more than I ever get to ski, more than I ever will. I think everybody on NS can agree skiing is not just a hobby, it is bigger than one can even describe. I love skiing, I long for skiing. Every day I find myself rewatching films, typing away on NS, pointing out street spots everywhere I go; and just occasionally do find the valuable time to go ski. I am trapped in this cycle. I will never stop. Skiing is a drug, and I am hopelessly addicted.
 
For the last 10 or.more seasons. My first run. I get a bit teary eyed. Skiing is probably the one thing that makes me feel whole. I haven't gone up yet this season but I know in about 2 weeks or so I will!
 
Damn homie, are you me? Cause I was just feeling the same thing. Covid has fucked my life. Shat on my life out west, and gave me a whole bunch of new mental illnesses that have been progressively getting worse. Today was my first day of western skiing in two years. And it was incredible. The skiing itself wasn't anything special. One jerry-filled run, little bit of dirt, and a few spots of fresh. But the skiing, combined with the new homies I was with, was immensely liberating. Somehow all my problems, compulsions and tics disappeared. For the first time in almost a year, I felt like who I used to be, back before my brain decided to try and kill me. I'm sore as shit, my back hurts, and my shins are fucked, but I feel great. Its given me a glimpse of hope, that my illness is treatable, and that under all this shit, I'm still me. I feel whole again. Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow, and it'll all come crashing down, but for now, it's wonderful.
 
Well written Jack. It’s all about small steps dude! Freshman year first semester of college was one of the worst times for me mentally. Once exams were over and I could start skiing, I definitely had an uplift. Do things that make you happy man! When I’m feeling overwhelmed by my mental, I take a break from whatever I’m doing. Fly fishing and tying has helped me arguably more than skiing, because it requires me to focus so much on what I’m doing. Skiing definitely helps too, but messing around with the homies doesn’t do quite the same as sitting at my desk tying flies while listening to 4 Seasons (yes, I mean Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons. I’m old at heart). It’s just very calming for me where skiing is a little bit more high-octane. Whatever takes your mind off of things, please make time in your day to do it. Whether it’s skiing or watching YouTube or video games or whatever, do it. We all get so caught up in school and grades and shit and push our mental health down on our list of priorities when it should be at the top. Enjoy college, obviously you’re there to learn but make sure to enjoy yourself too, you only get four years. It’ll go by stupid quick. Good luck man, and keep skiing!
 
Yeah I was luckily able to afford one after selling my testicle to lance armstrong

14350391:BradFiAusNzCoCa said:
Hell yeah, Eldora! Did you get ikon?

Totally know what you’re talking about. I think part of it is losing ourselves in the process and everything else washing away.
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topic:skierman_jack said:
It took me several minutes just to sit up in bed this morning. I didn't mind. I actually smiled a little bit. Every inch ached. My dick, my anus, my rectum, throat etc.
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thats deep dude. didn't need to hear all that tho
 
That’s a good pass. Will provide a lot of fun. I got Loveland pass. If you’re ever around or want to hit ruby hill rail yard, hit me up.

14350444:skierman_jack said:
Yeah I was luckily able to afford one after selling my testicle to lance armstrong
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I will most definitely be doing a few ruby hill days

14350454:BradFiAusNzCoCa said:
That’s a good pass. Will provide a lot of fun. I got Loveland pass. If you’re ever around or want to hit ruby hill rail yard, hit me up.
Click to expand...
 
Serious question, those of you that have posted that skiing is the only thing that makes you feel better...do you regularly exercise as in 3-5 days a week of moderate to vigorous exercise in any form? Random thought popped into my head that it might just be the physical exertion. Skiing is an intense physical activity.
 
14350497:HypeBeast said:
Serious question, those of you that have posted that skiing is the only thing that makes you feel better...do you regularly exercise as in 3-5 days a week of moderate to vigorous exercise in any form? Random thought popped into my head that it might just be the physical exertion. Skiing is an intense physical activity.
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HypeBeast is on to something here. Skiing and going to the gym every day are the only two things that really make me happy
 
Caught Covid Friday and missed opening day yesterday. Will most likely be alone for thanksgiving too. Glad to hear I’m not the only one who is miserable.
 
14350497:HypeBeast said:
Serious question, those of you that have posted that skiing is the only thing that makes you feel better...do you regularly exercise as in 3-5 days a week of moderate to vigorous exercise in any form? Random thought popped into my head that it might just be the physical exertion. Skiing is an intense physical activity.
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Eh I think all exercise helps but there’s something about skiing specifically.

If the waves are reallllly good and I’m with homies then I’ll be absolutely stoked / on cloud 9.

but most of the time surfing / skating I go home feeling better but still am bogged down by my anxiety.

When I’m skiing with friends, I feel all this pressure come off my shoulders. Even if the conditions are crap, my buds and I are usually cracking up on every chairlift ride and saying how much fun we’re having / how much we love skiing for the millionth time that day
 
Yes and no. I work out 6 days a week. 45 min cardio and then weights. It helps but it’s nowhere near the same sensation

14350497:HypeBeast said:
Serious question, those of you that have posted that skiing is the only thing that makes you feel better...do you regularly exercise as in 3-5 days a week of moderate to vigorous exercise in any form? Random thought popped into my head that it might just be the physical exertion. Skiing is an intense physical activity.
Click to expand...
 
I skied opening day at Squaw this year and I could not wipe the smile off my face. I was babbling about how much I love skiing to anyone who would listen. This shit reminds me just how beautiful life can be.
 
14350535:BillyfromPhilly said:
Caught Covid Friday and missed opening day yesterday. Will most likely be alone for thanksgiving too. Glad to hear I’m not the only one who is miserable.
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You've got 69 internet points tho! I mean sounds like your wining to me
 
I’ve never related to a thread as much as this one.

Since graduating college during COVID, I ended up picking up a shitty retail job that has no relation to my degree whatsoever and heading into this past summer, my mental health was on a steep decline. Even last winter I felt miserable because I felt like I was returning to the same old shit I was trying to escape from by going to college to begin with. After seeking some help for my mental health problems and doing some serious thinking during the off-season, I made some changes that are starting to pay off.

My first day was last Sunday at Killington and it was one of the best days I’ve had in a while. Even though I made the trip solo, I got the chance to hike with random people, shred with them, and even help them stack some clips. For the first time in a while, I felt genuinely happy.

Hoping to bring the same energy to Stratton and Bush later this winter.
 
Hell yea dude I feel you! For myself I’ve noticed skiing and mountain biking are some of the only things that will absolutely never fail to put a smile on my face no matter the circumstances. So thankful for this sport?
 
Good for you OP, skiing is what brought me out of and kept me out of a similar place, skiing has been like a loved one that I live and work to provide for, and it’s done the same for me.

I hope others benefit from this aspect of skiing as it’s a greatly positive side to our sport and culture.

nice post, was a nice morning read, have a good season
 
As I am aging, each season, I wonder if I will still be able to enjoy it as much as I have prior.

Even if I can't, I will enjoy sunny days chillin' with folks in the parking lot.

I just love people (unless they are, you know).

Nice sentiment [tag=259452]@skierman_jack[/tag] !
 
mods pin this thread!

This is beautiful thanks for sharing man. I’ve struggled with depression for 8 years and skiing has always been the cure. Keep chasing the light.
 
Preach. This was winter '20/21 for me. Made huge mistakes and they cost me hard. Fell into a real deep mental tar pit if you will. Mentally fighting yourself to just get out of bed to make coffee or clean your room, let alone go skiing was tough, so Im glad some of us our similar. "Finding yourself again" on skis really does speak volume. Thank you for sharing and I hope yall have a good one this time around.

**This post was edited on Nov 23rd 2021 at 1:28:35am
 
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