The days you progress

I have, during my years of skiing noticed that their are some commonalities to the days i progress. I have been realy intrested in knowing why, some days are better than other and others aren't all that good.

I have tried to replicate the days as close as i could. Maybe I ate a good breakfast, drove to the mountain with a good friend and the vibe was great from the beginning, and the day was good, I learned a backflip for example. Other days have been completely crap from the very first time i opened my eyes, but still, I learned something new, which scared me.


Why is it like this?

I have come to the conclusion that these days have been those days where i haven't had any expectations to the day. of course I may think: Aah, nice weather, can't wait to shred:D But as for expectations to learn new things, they are far away, I'm just there to have a good time!

Freedom of outcome is what I like to call it, it can't be forced but I believe it can help you become a better skiier. This is not a simple thing to achieve, because if you're thinking to yourselves while skiing: "I have to let go of the outcome" the thought will enter through the backdoor and your still trying to achieve something!

I have done some steps which have enabled me to become a better skiier all togheter, aswell as it has increased the amount of fun days I have.

First of, enjoy the moment, don't think about the next day, school, whatever, and don't plan tricks for the upcomming runs. Just go with it.

How to: Think about something in the enviroment. maybe the light, the breeze, the feeling you get when you carve of the jump to throw a 360.

Second: Goals. This is important and sort of contradictory. These goals should be small, something like a new grab on your cork 7, or becoming safer on a 2 on pretz 2 of. It's important to have goals that vary in size, because as you know the winter weather is all but forgiving and you might get days where the sun is nowhere to be seen. This is the time you want to put some effort into your railing, while just having to try fun.

Third: Go anyway! I know some days look shitty, the suns behind cloudy skies, it's raining, your hungover/sick. GO ANYWAY! It's acctually the days you struggle you learn the most, and after you've done hundres of bad days, you'll see that the bad days aren't as bad as they once were, especially if you follow the points above. It's acctually better to get up early and head on home if you're really not feeling it, but try to stay as long as you manage!

Forth: HAVE FUN, let go of the outcome. Skiing is fun, and every pro skier loves it because it's fun. If you're doing it solely to become the best, you probably won't become the best. Because those who are best love what they're doing and they are willing to push through the bad days and gain grow for it. Look at Tanner, He has matured mentally so much the last two years. And he still continues to progress the sport and pushing the limits of what is thought to be possible, both in skiing and outside skiing. This drive comes from his undying love for the sport!


Just wanted to add some value to the forum, do you think this is something that you can apply to skiing? This also works in many aspects of life aswell;)

- K