Would you still ski aggressively after a big injury?

brokeneck_mtnDid you do your spinal cord at the same time? and unfortunately you’re right about the backseat. If I’m fresh I can avoid it so I haven’t really been skiing full days bc my legs are weak- super hard to push weight through them and keep my weight forwards on landings to stomp. I’m totally fine on groomers so I think it’s mostly a strength thing? idk I was never the cleanest skier

The surgeons removed a bone frag from my spinal cord and I am left with brown sequard syndrome. But I don't notice it unless I really think about it. Or if I get in a hot tub and one leg feels weirdly normal.
If possible, continue working with a physical therapist as skierPT suggested and build up your core and leg strength. Focus on balance is huge too.
(I ended up marrying a PT, if only I listened to her I'd be in better shape!)

Im 4 knee surgeries in, but will never stop trying to progress... However the way in which I try to progress is different, I don't pound my body until I learn a new trick.. As other have said concentrate on the smaller parts of the goal before risking it all. Train strength, flexibility, and technique in safer scenarios, like trampolines, diving boards etc.

Also get creative and think about smaller pieces of your skiing you need to work on...lay on your back with skis on and try to reach for grabs while holding your poles. Practice carving and popping out of the carve into the next one, work on simple things you never learned in the first place like skiing switch looking over the opposite shoulder, or spinning a small 180 your opposite direction, the options are endless.

The reality is this is a deeply personal choice for you that nobody on here can answer. All we can do is give perspective to help you make the choice that fits you best.

What does skiing mean to you, and do you need to push yourself to get the most out of it? Or is just cruising with friends through pow your ideal situation? What do you want from skiing in 10 years? 40 years? Is it worth it, to you, to risk giving up skiing into old age for a shot at being the skier you've always dreamed of being? These may be the extremes, but where in the middle do you fall? I know my answer, but I can't tell you yours.

I've never had a truly bad injury like others in this thread, but two broken collarbones, a broken nose, a concussion, and a stretched MCL have all made me re-evaluate how much I push it. I have a friend who broke his neck DH biking at Killington, and placed top-10 in DH nationals at Windrock last year. I have another guy I know who broke his back, skiing with me and my friends (at Pats Peak of all places), and hasn't skied since. They probably both made the right choice; they're different people.

IF you decide to get back into it, I would go back with goals. They can be small, like just trying to feel smooth and comfortable skiing again. Definitely build strength/flexibility and eat right to avoid injury. Don't ski drunk. I also think taking it on from a different angle can help, as you won't be associating it with your injury as much. Maybe you could try to get smooth and fast on natural terrain, then think about moving back whenever you're comfortable. Castlerock at SB is a great spot for this. Or focus more on rails this season. Either way, waiting until your general skiing feels right to go back to flips is probably the right move.

bro... I've come back from some pretty bad injuries, (broken back, legs "both", knee cap. etc.) but u were literally paralyzed? u should probably just be happy you can still ski at all.

Broke my back in a few spots in a car accident (not paralyzed) when I was 16 and had the same problems you’ve got. it’s shitty not being able to get right back out there and be at the level you use to ski but sorry dude it’s what you’re gunna have to do for maybe a year or two... hit the gym and find some powder when you do wanna try stuff

snomasterI have 6 fused vertebrae t2-t8. this was all filmed after that injury.https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/846499/Good-Times-Forever
But dude, you have to focus on skiing better in general. you are way backseat and have shit for control. work on that, then get back into tricks.

bad.ass