How to Stay Stoked
in the Face of Defeat
in the Face of Defeat
Winters are not particularly easy, and there is an inherent discomfort that comes with snow sports.
You have ruthless and sometimes unpredictable weather, extreme temperatures, variable snow quality, poor visibility, safety concerns, and fitness challenges to make things difficult. And when you’re cold, mad that you lost your friends or that your goggles are fogged, or discouraged after a fall, you might have a moment where you’re not enjoying yourself anymore, and it makes you wonder why we do this crazy thing for “fun.”
I’ve come up with some strategies to help myself stay positive when challenges arise and keep going with a smile on my face. These tips may not teach you how to land a big jump or how to pull yourself out of deep pow after a tumble, but keep them in mind on your hard days, and you’ll stay stoked in the face of these difficulties.
I’ve come up with some strategies to help myself stay positive when challenges arise and keep going with a smile on my face. These tips may not teach you how to land a big jump or how to pull yourself out of deep pow after a tumble, but keep them in mind on your hard days, and you’ll stay stoked in the face of these difficulties.
Be prepared
It does help to bring all the things. Knowing that you have all the materials to handle whatever is thrown your way helps you be more adaptable when you otherwise would have been shut down and likely forced to head back. Check the weather before you leave for the day. Figure out what the temperatures are going to be and pack accordingly. Pack some extra layers just in case, but keep in mind: more layers doesn’t necessarily mean warmer. I see people over-layering all the time, and it’s counter-productive. This is why it’s a great idea to bring a backpack so that you can put layers on and take them off as needed.
Warm hands & feet = higher stoke
My two cents about boot-heaters? THEY ARE WORTH IT. Get them. They make shredding so much more fun. It is so nice to go the day without thinking about your feet and to not have to deal with the dreaded feeling of numb, achy toes. (I call these the “screaming barfies,” which is when your feet are finally getting sensation back, and it hurts so bad, you don’t know whether to scream or throw up!)
Mittens have been a recent discovery for me. I used to dislike the lack of dexterity with mittens, but the warmth of the mitten is the most efficient, and I would highly recommend them to those who run cold and struggle to keep their fingers warm on cold days.
Mittens have been a recent discovery for me. I used to dislike the lack of dexterity with mittens, but the warmth of the mitten is the most efficient, and I would highly recommend them to those who run cold and struggle to keep their fingers warm on cold days.
Keep showing up
The more time you spend actually doing your sport, the more confidence you achieve. Showing up as much as possible is a bonafide way to up your stoke. For some folks, one ski trip a year might be all you get, so ski as much as you can when you get there. And remember: Your trip will be over before you know it, and you’ll be dreaming about shredding on your flight home, so take advantage of every second.
Try something new
If you always stay in your comfort zone, you might lose a little luster. Sure, it makes you more vulnerable to experiencing defeat, but your sense of accomplishment changes when you try new things. So, go off a little jump, ski or ride switch, take one less turn on the downhill, gap a mogul, take the higher traverse, check out a new run... It feels really good at the end of the day to feel like you may be a little better today than you were yesterday.
Open your eyes
Sometimes the simplest thing to do is to take a step back, breathe, and open your eyes: You’re in the mountains. Remember what a privilege it is to enjoy places like these and that, even on the hard days, winter is something to celebrate—and protect.
get to know a pro
Big mountain skier, Rachael Burks.
She's known for skiing burly lines on some of the world’s
steepest peaks, her vivacious enthusiasm and sequined outfits,
and chucking backies off of anything and everything.
steepest peaks, her vivacious enthusiasm and sequined outfits,
and chucking backies off of anything and everything.