Ski Tips

Three New Year’s Resolutions for Skiers

Forget the Gym.

If it’s open, it’s a COVID Petri dish. If not, you may be trying to adapt those same workouts to your living room. Pro tip: Fuggedaboutit. Rather than feeling motivated for a few weeks and then guilty by Valentine’s Day, you could just ski more. Or better. Or uphill.

Good riddance, 2020. Now, let’s kick off 2021 the right way with a few New Year’s resolutions for skiers.

new years resolutions for skiers
Generally, when you ski more, you get more best days. | SKIER: Staffer Terol Pursell PHOTO: Jameson Midgett, Steamboat Powdercats

1) Ski More

You know your priorities are a slightly out of whack when this simple idea sounds impossible.

You don’t have to be a professional or even an expert. You don’t have to log 100 days on the mountain. And you don’t have to sleep in your Crosstrek through sub-zero nights to choke down sugary oatmeal in the name of powder chasing (although, we sorta love it). All you have to do is ski more.

That could mean you free up a midweek ski day. Or go night skiing every Friday with the kiddos. Or take an extra trip this year. Eight days are more than five. Twenty-five are more than ten. You get it…

Can’t adjust your schedule? Skiing longer also counts as skiing more. Try to hit the resort earlier. Get first chair. Get last chair.

The point is: Everyone can ski more. We dare you to try.

new years resolutions for skiers
Intermediate or advanced skiers can gain as much from a lesson as beginners. | SKIER: Ambassador Becky Lotz PHOTO: John Paul

2) Invest in Education

We know. Once you can descend every trail on the mountain, you feel like a superhero. But we’d argue that doesn’t mean you’ve peaked.

Sign up for an advanced lesson, and tell your instructor you want to look like Jonny Friggin Moseley in the bumps. Work on carving harder, deeper, and faster. Learn to more effortlessly surf powder and attack big-mountain lines.

There’s a ski instructor at every mountain who can help you reach these goals. And guess what? They would love a break from glorified day care with six-year-olds to help you!

new years resolutions for skiers
In case you haven’t heard, more people are skiing uphill than ever. | SKIER: Meredith Drangin PHOTO: Ambassador Bianca Germain

3) Earn Your Turns

Newsflash: Everyone is talking about backcountry skiing these days. And, more people are trying it. Earning your turns can feel like a different pursuit entirely than resort skiing. You feel it in your quads, your chest, your soul.

Alpine touring can also be extremely dangerous (as in, deadly). Read up on how to get started and add an avalanche safety course to your curriculum from our previous resolution.

While touring can seem hidden behind a massive barrier to entry, know that there are accessible ways to do it, too (like skinning up your favorite resort at dawn with a thermos of hot chocolate). Like every New Year’s resolution, it all starts with setting yourself up for success and reminding yourself that you. want. this.

Happy turns, and Happy New Year from the Powder7 Team!

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