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July, 2025

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Skiing in your 20s

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AlexTall
Posts: 17 - Karma: 137
I guess I’m considered a ‘young’, college student, but lately at 20 years old I’ve been feeling like an old man. My joints are failing me; after a full day of skiing my knees feel like someone bashed a them with a baseball bat and my spine feels like someone welded a metal rod to it.

My body is slowly killing itself and it’s sucks.

Is anyone else’s body giving out on them
4 years ago
28 1
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PackBombs
Posts: 99 - Karma: 1,099
Welcome to old
4 years ago
27 0
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Biffbarf
Posts: 7661 - Karma: 81,539
It's not giving out you're just not a kid any more so you gotta take care of it. Muscle imbalances are a thing and stretching and strengthening are things you'll have to do so your body isn't trying to pull itself in the wrong directions.

If you don't have serious issues a proper warmup and cool down routine along with training outside of skiing will make you feel like a champion.
4 years ago
30 0
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Good_Deed
Posts: 1260 - Karma: 1,321
do you work out at all? that helps.
4 years ago
23 0
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SuspiciousFish
Posts: 2794 - Karma: 16,914
Yoga is your friend. Get the Rodney Yee 'Yoga for beginners' DVD and do the Energizing practice in the morning before you hit the slope and the Rejuvenating one when you get back home. When you get older you can still rip but you have to put in the time and effort to take care of yourself. I remember a few years ago when I turned 30 I hit up Schweitzer which was my home resort growing up. I was doing a ton of yoga and kettle bell workouts at the time and was actually surprised that I was ripping lines harder than I did at 17.
4 years ago
24 0
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mattytru
Posts: 2789 - Karma: 5,632
when i was in college i was smoking and drinking quite a bit, if youre about that life it will impact your strength and your health
4 years ago
13 0
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Jems
Posts: 7801 - Karma: 102,124
this has been me since age 18 and it’s sucks ass. Feeling constant pain while skiing ruins it a little bit.
4 years ago
10 0
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5401 - Karma: 56,093
You shouldn't feel like an old man at 20, chances are you are just a little out of shape and now you're at an age where you can actually feel it. Things like working out and sleeping on a bed that is the appropriate firmness can really help. I had constant dull back pain in my teens and early 20s but then I got a firmer bed and I haven't had it since.
4 years ago
12 0
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SuspiciousFish
Posts: 2794 - Karma: 16,914
Swimming is also a crazy good exercise when you are injured or have issues. I remember when I was 21 I bashed my knee and wrist really hard in a Mountain Biking crash. It sucked so hard because I basically walked with a limp and could not carry heavy stuff and I was just not getting better. I couldn't run or anything or lift weights so I ended up getting out of shape and started to get depressed. Finally I decided to try swimming laps in the apartment pool in the summer and literally after 2 weeks I was back to 100%. It was really surprising actually the difference it made. I got an OG Medical Marijuana card out of it though so that was cool, back when CO first started their program in the mid 2000s.
4 years ago
6 0
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BrightFrog
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,679
OP delete ur account.
4 years ago
2 13
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hoodratz47
Posts: 12028 - Karma: 9,586
Wait till your 35........
4 years ago
12 0
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SmokedGouda
Posts: 1235 - Karma: 6,914
Age. It happens. Candides skills at almost 40 gives me hope though haha
4 years ago
10 0
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Abomber22
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 5,255
The fuck.....try OLD.
Broken left wrist.
Surgery scar from palm to elbow.
Three broken knuckles.
Diabetic.
Sucked out vitreous humor in right eye, replaced with saline solution.
Cataract both eyes.
Lazer cauterized leaking blood vessels in both eyes.
L4/L5 sciatica.

You need to do some catchin up, son. Watch you got is called growing pains.
PackBombsWelcome to old
4 years ago
3 14
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jompcock
Posts: 1586 - Karma: 11,788
Back crunches/superman planks helped me with back pain a ton
4 years ago
3 0
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armchair_skier
Posts: 2744 - Karma: 35,149
Getting excited that I can still do tricks I learned ten years ago.
4 years ago
4 0
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AlexTall
Posts: 17 - Karma: 137
hi_vis360You shouldn't feel like an old man at 20, chances are you are just a little out of shape and now you're at an age where you can actually feel it. Things like working out and sleeping on a bed that is the appropriate firmness can really help. I had constant dull back pain in my teens and early 20s but then I got a firmer bed and I haven't had it since.


it’s just genetics man, i’m in great shape, but my grandpa had both his shoulders, hips and knees replaced. No cheating genetics. However, i agree a good firm bed is a necessity for bad backs.
4 years ago
1 0
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AlexTall
Posts: 17 - Karma: 137
BrightFrogOP delete ur account.


might have to
4 years ago
1 1
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joog
Posts: 162 - Karma: 1,282
Fr if you just find a routine to do every morning for like 5-10 minutes, maybe hit a foam roller or something. I’m also 20 and I try to stretch everyday, hips hamstrings and upper back are good ones. Pretty sure our bodies will thank us later
4 years ago
4 0
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CistGamp
Posts: 54 - Karma: 295
Bro I’m 30 and don’t have any of these issues. You should see a doc
4 years ago
10 2
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freestyler540
Posts: 13239 - Karma: 20,497
Nope. I dont have this problem. Im 34 and still progressing. Thats the beauty of taking care of yourself at a younger age and taking your time learning the progression: no injuries to bite back later.
4 years ago
10 0
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Jems
Posts: 7801 - Karma: 102,124
CistGampBro I’m 30 and don’t have any of these issues. You should see a doc

You must ski 3 times a year on groomers
4 years ago
10 7
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theabortionator
Posts: 52783 - Karma: 175,271
Let the 30 years olds tell you you're a pussy and shit will be way worse when you're 30
Let the 40 years school them
Let the 50+ gang tell them
Let yourself just have fun. If your body is fucked chill out a bit. It's not a contest. You can ski for a long time if you still enjoy it. A lot of people quit long before their bodies take them out of the game.
4 years ago
10 1
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4884 - Karma: -717
Drop some weight. Everything is better the less you are hauling around.
4 years ago
4 0
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switchlip2
Posts: 2142 - Karma: 25,186
I haven’t felt my knees since i was 15
4 years ago
3 0
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DandieGotWets
Posts: 62 - Karma: 540
mattytruwhen i was in college i was smoking and drinking quite a bit, if youre about that life it will impact your strength and your health


Can vouche
4 years ago
2 0
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Enzob007
Posts: 68 - Karma: 330
Are you carrying a few extra pounds? Lose them, it makes a huge difference.
4 years ago
3 0
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AlexTall
Posts: 17 - Karma: 137
Enzob007Are you carrying a few extra pounds? Lose them, it makes a huge difference.


i’m 6’5” and 180 i don’t have much poundage to lose lol, i think i needa gain some muscle-age
4 years ago
9 0
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Screwy
Posts: 24 - Karma: 196
If you do yoga, lift weights, sleep good, stop drinking every chance you get, and eat clean, you shouldn't have any problems. Prepare for a full day of skiing by a full life of activity. Align that chi brah
4 years ago
3 0
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armchair_skier
Posts: 2744 - Karma: 35,149
adurhami’m 6’5” and 180 i don’t have much poundage to lose lol, i think i needa gain some muscle-age


With a high impact sport like skiing, being a rail of a human does as much harm to yourself as being overweight.

WHEN SUMMER COMES WE ARE GOING TO GET THESE GAINS MY BROTHA
4 years ago
7 0
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9665 - Karma: 71,955
Hit the gym. Reg parks 5×5 coupled with hiking will make you a monster.
adurhami’m 6’5” and 180 i don’t have much poundage to lose lol, i think i needa gain some muscle-age
4 years ago
0 0
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Dongwater
Posts: 45 - Karma: 363
I think the main takeaway here is that you are encountering a common phenomenon for that age which is when confronted with the first slight signs of the aging process your brain goes way too far in the direction of feeling old, unable to learn new things, all that stuff. A really unhelpful anxiety response to that phase of life. At 30 you will look back and be utterly mind blown that you felt that way at 20, and feel so bummed that you let that sway your decision making or stifle any sort of learning or experimenting. They key is to try to overcome this thought trap by getting in the gym, eating well now and continuing to try new things outside of skiing. That is a great way to remind yourself of the ability to make new mind muscle connections and to connect with the youth that you still massively have. Time is so much on your side brotha, listen to the good advice on here as its some real truth. It was a great question to ask. And for reference I am 27 and just can completely relate to that feeling around that age and think about this shit all the time
4 years ago
6 0
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Biffbarf
Posts: 7661 - Karma: 81,539
JemsYou must ski 3 times a year on groomers


I'm not someone who gets 100+ days in or anything but you'd be surprised if you take care of yourself how much you'll progress into your late 20's, even after injury. The old man strength is real.
4 years ago
3 0
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Jems
Posts: 7801 - Karma: 102,124
BiffbarfI'm not someone who gets 100+ days in or anything but you'd be surprised if you take care of yourself how much you'll progress into your late 20's, even after injury. The old man strength is real.

yeah i don’t take care of myself at all so i got it all coming
4 years ago
1 0
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Chunderface
Posts: 2567 - Karma: 10,127
Are you obese or something? Have AIDS? You should not be feeling like that at 20. Maybe get in shape.
4 years ago
3 2
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Rparr
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 49,466
You have to work hard to take care of your body. I'm about to turn 28 and I'm in some of the best shape of my life, skiing better than I ever have.
4 years ago
4 0
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Julius_Steezer
Posts: 776 - Karma: 4,555
Judging by professional athletes (nfl / nba players etc)…your athletic peak should be late 20s. Everybody’s already mentioned gym / yoga etc so as long as you’re taking care of yourself, the only thing which should be better at 17 than 27 is being able to bounce back up uninjured (and tbh if you’re stretching / lifting then even that might get better as you get older)
4 years ago
3 0
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CistGamp
Posts: 54 - Karma: 295
JemsYou must ski 3 times a year on groomers

Haha for sure kiddo, get good
4 years ago
1 1
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Abomber22
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 5,255
See a doctor to determine what's real vs imagined... after that do what dong advises
DongwaterI think the main takeaway here is that you are encountering a common phenomenon for that age which is when confronted with the first slight signs of the aging process your brain goes way too far in the direction of feeling old, unable to learn new things, all that stuff. A really unhelpful anxiety response to that phase of life. At 30 you will look back and be utterly mind blown that you felt that way at 20, and feel so bummed that you let that sway your decision making or stifle any sort of learning or experimenting. They key is to try to overcome this thought trap by getting in the gym, eating well now and continuing to try new things outside of skiing. That is a great way to remind yourself of the ability to make new mind muscle connections and to connect with the youth that you still massively have. Time is so much on your side brotha, listen to the good advice on here as its some real truth. It was a great question to ask. And for reference I am 27 and just can completely relate to that feeling around that age and think about this shit all the time
4 years ago
2 0
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12724 - Karma: 120,414
Whats up guys, im at the ripe old age of 15 and i feel like my body is declining.
4 years ago
4 0
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9665 - Karma: 71,955
At least you have that NS pension
TRVP_ANGELWhats up guys, im at the ripe old age of 15 and i feel like my body is declining.
4 years ago
1 0
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Abomber22
Posts: 3053 - Karma: 5,255
You *bought* sego big horns 9 years ago... and joined NS in 2012... you were a precious guy, ahead of your time.
TRVP_ANGELWhats up guys, im at the ripe old age of 15 and i feel like my body is declining.
4 years ago
0 0
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Icant_kfed
Posts: 1279 - Karma: 11,596
BiffbarfIt's not giving out you're just not a kid any more so you gotta take care of it. Muscle imbalances are a thing and stretching and strengthening are things you'll have to do so your body isn't trying to pull itself in the wrong directions.

If you don't have serious issues a proper warmup and cool down routine along with training outside of skiing will make you feel like a champion.


Nah don’t stretch, stay tight and tear your acl in style
4 years ago
1 0
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Biffbarf
Posts: 7661 - Karma: 81,539
jnorrmanNah don’t stretch, stay tight and tear your acl in style


Low key I never did before I blew out my shit lol but once I discovered how well it worked for pain management while I was recovering I finally took it serious
4 years ago
0 0
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Lippamani
Posts: 1545 - Karma: 16,637
switchlip2I haven’t felt my knees since i was 15


Thought it was just me my knees click and pop and the right one locks up randomly due to a dog bite. I'm 16
4 years ago
0 0
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