Will my passion come back :(

Try some new shit and it’ll come back. Gotta switch it up

I’m in the same exact spot. I love skiing, or at least I think I do. Nothing makes me feel the way skiing makes me feel. Sometimes I’ll have those moments after lacing a nice line or having a good joke on the chair or whatever, and finding myself with a smile I can’t wipe off my face.

But I’ve been having less and less of those moments lately. I’ve had so many days - almost all of them- this year where I’m extremely irritable on the hill and won’t wanna talk to anyone. Sometimes people notice it, sometimes I don’t let ‘em. I don’t get the same enjoyment out of it anymore. It’s probably mental health related (for me) as well. Or maybe I’m just becoming a grumpy oldhead and often annoyed by those around me, especially ones I’m around a lot and/or ones who aren’t as old as me. Feels so off, I’ll even have moments where I lace a new trick or something awesome where I SHOULD be stoked as fuck on it, but not nearly as much or intensely anymore. It just feels so dull. I still ski a lot… 4 days a week and I’m always having a good day out there, I guess. My mood and skiing aren’t necessarily worse, I still go out there and get better everyday and just ride, try not to force anything. just less energetic, wayyy less energetic than it used to be. Mood and the way I ski



If you feel comfortable answering, are you on any medication related to mental health disorders? I feel like that could cause it depending on the medication. cause it’s lowkey causing it for me rn I think. New ADHD meds aren’t really helping me focus consistently… random bursts of lazer focus… usually just in the classroom or doing work. They’re just making me feel super emotionless, antisocial, almost like a zombie. Other people have noticed it. More than before, maybe.



I’ll give you some positive words though… I guess it just happens. You’re probably not losing the love for it. Maybe just subconsciously taking a step back to re-kindle the stoke a little bit. Maybe embrace it and take a little break and you’ll have a newfound appreciation for it. Something I may try myself.


moral of the story is don’t try to fake anything, feel what you feel. You’re not alone, I relate to this heavily, and I’m sure tons of other skiers out there can say the same. Keep your head up, even if you don’t want to!

Try something new or different than your usual. Get your Vs mounted and get on those!

Skiings great but if you don’t have other hobbies/shit going on you’ll eventually burn out of it. I always spend my off seasons barely thinking about it cause I got climbing, skating, work and other stuff to keep me occupied.

then by the time snow starts falling again I’m foaming at the mouth to ski again, everyone’s different but that’s worked for me for like the past decade lol.

also forcing yourself to ski is so gimmicky, don’t be afraid to take days off or be mad if you’re not crushing at every opportunity. Life is big and skiings just one part of it.

I feel like most of us have sorta experienced this and I've also found that, trying to fight it makes it worse. Don't force yourself into trying to have fun - it'll just become a shitty spiral.

If I'm having a day on the hill when the vibes are off or I'm just not stoked, I just peace tf out. It feels shitty sometimes because I think so many of us consider being a skier to be such a significant part of our "identity", but no matter how good you are/conditions are/etc. some days just aren't going to be great. I've found that if I just acknowledge that, cut my losses and leave, I'm still super excited to get out there again later in the week/month/season.

The old passion won’t come back, you have to find a new one. I think skiing is like a cycle of being totally inspired and elated about it and then spending years chasing ghosts until hopefully you find it again.

donotreplyThis year I didn’t enjoy as much skiing I know my mental health has influenced it . I haven’t skied for a few weeks but will go this week . I walked myself to the hospital for that reason I’m not ashamed to talk about it . Just wondering if others have been through this and hoping I go back to my passion or if I will probably have to turn the page

What if you started riding switch and only rode switch exclusively forever?

You gotta chill and take it back to the basics. Don’t pressure yourself. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Some of the most fun I had all year was lapping early season shitty snow with like 4 runs open because I was in the right headspace. Sometimes we all need to take a step back, slow it down and just enjoy skiing.

Sometimes I have to chill and just do, what I call, “instructor turns” to get in the flow and make the run longer. I think in the freeski world, we have a tendency to overstimulate our senses while skiing and there’s nothing wrong with having a calming, relaxing, zen ski.

So my biggest advice would be: mix it up or slow it down and don’t force it. Good luck

You guys are just old as fuck and not enjoying park as much. Time to switch to a $1900 Nordica all mountain set up old fucks

Have you tried using drugs to fill the void?

I'd rather play the guitar then snowboard a lot of days. Sometimes taking a break is good. Maybe ski some different stuff you don't usually ski. Everyone's different. I really love the time I'm out on the mtn, I also love not going out every day now.

SnowshoeThompsonHave you tried using drugs to fill the void?

That is terrible advice.

i love skiing more than anything else and i've still gone through seasons where i have only cared to ski 5 or 10 days. it ebbs and flows. biggest thing is having other activities that you care about, both in the off-season and during winter. working consistently also helps; if you only have two full days (or less) to go out and get it, then you are more likely to enjoy your time out there, until you don't. then, if you take a day off, you can decide if you would have rather been skiing. either outcome is fine. honestly, it's all about whether or not you are satisfied with your day when you go to sleep at night. sometimes we just aren't stoked, but in general, whatever you can do to be excited for waking up the next morning is worthwhile.

Honestly man it goes like that sometimes. I used to love skiing/snowboarding and mountain biking, but my identity was so wrapped up in being "good" at those things that eventually I lost all motivation to continue them. I was in my third year of uni when I didn't even ski once. Sold my skis and bike and took a 4 year hiatus from park and jumps, pursued other things like fitness, work, running, drawing, etc. Now in my mid 20's I'm back into both bikes and skis and I feel so much better about doing it for me, not because I have to, but because it's a great outlet. And much like a few others have said, if I'm having a bad day I'll just peace tf out, ski groomers switch, grab a coffee, whatever lets you zone out of the expectations. It might be hard to hear but as long as I felt like I "had to" ski the struggle was still there.

Either way I hope your mental health journey goes well, that shit sucks.

**This post was edited on Mar 17th 2022 at 10:01:06am

You are not special, everyone goes through burnout for one reason or another. Stop being a fucking idiot and keep skiing or pick up another hobby like South Korean death metal bands.

Sorta related side note: if you feel like shit/are depressed off the hill you can’t expect to feel fantastic just because you’re skiing

asparagusSorta related side note: if you feel like shit/are depressed off the hill you can’t expect to feel fantastic just because you’re skiing

Agreed it was like that but after my stay in the hospital things got way better so maybe it will reflect when I go next time

donotreplyAgreed it was like that but after my stay in the hospital things got way better so maybe it will reflect when I go next time

Def sometimes everything can feel rough, but if you're not feeling it try some different things outside or in skiing. I'm bummed i can skate ever really where i live but I've been really liking skateboarding. Just started 3 summers ago and i like it.

I think being bad at it helps. I've learned a lot. May not get too much better especially not skating but felt so good to improve.

Snowboarding bums me out sometimes because I used to be pretty good. I still have fun but sometimes it's hard to ride park at a significantly lower level. Riding less drops that level too.

But new hobbies can be great the guitar and music have probably saved my live at this point.

Sometimes if you dont wanna ski dont. Take a break. I get out on the hill less but i really appreciate when i do. Everyone has different thresholds but anyone can get burnt out.

Hang in there! ❤️❤️

Thanks to everyone who replied as most of you said I will try to not rush things and try something new and not force myself out of take a bit of a break until I feel ready and fortunately I do have other outlets I’ve been focussing on for now . I will definitely not quit skiing but just slow things down as my body still needs some time to adjust to all of this at the moment . Really appreciate everyone’s in put ! :)

weastcoatI’m in the same exact spot. I love skiing, or at least I think I do. Nothing makes me feel the way skiing makes me feel. Sometimes I’ll have those moments after lacing a nice line or having a good joke on the chair or whatever, and finding myself with a smile I can’t wipe off my face.

But I’ve been having less and less of those moments lately. I’ve had so many days - almost all of them- this year where I’m extremely irritable on the hill and won’t wanna talk to anyone. Sometimes people notice it, sometimes I don’t let ‘em. I don’t get the same enjoyment out of it anymore. It’s probably mental health related (for me) as well. Or maybe I’m just becoming a grumpy oldhead and often annoyed by those around me, especially ones I’m around a lot and/or ones who aren’t as old as me. Feels so off, I’ll even have moments where I lace a new trick or something awesome where I SHOULD be stoked as fuck on it, but not nearly as much or intensely anymore. It just feels so dull. I still ski a lot… 4 days a week and I’m always having a good day out there, I guess. My mood and skiing aren’t necessarily worse, I still go out there and get better everyday and just ride, try not to force anything. just less energetic, wayyy less energetic than it used to be. Mood and the way I ski



If you feel comfortable answering, are you on any medication related to mental health disorders? I feel like that could cause it depending on the medication. cause it’s lowkey causing it for me rn I think. New ADHD meds aren’t really helping me focus consistently… random bursts of lazer focus… usually just in the classroom or doing work. They’re just making me feel super emotionless, antisocial, almost like a zombie. Other people have noticed it. More than before, maybe.



I’ll give you some positive words though… I guess it just happens. You’re probably not losing the love for it. Maybe just subconsciously taking a step back to re-kindle the stoke a little bit. Maybe embrace it and take a little break and you’ll have a newfound appreciation for it. Something I may try myself.


moral of the story is don’t try to fake anything, feel what you feel. You’re not alone, I relate to this heavily, and I’m sure tons of other skiers out there can say the same. Keep your head up, even if you don’t want to!

Your answer means a lot . I do have adhd meds and for me they do the total opposite if I skip a day I feel zombie maybe try see for another type . And I’ll answer your questions I came in with suicide thoughts and was diagnosed with anxiety and depression which I am now taking meds one of them as a side effect that slow downs your energy and I see that happening on me I’m also taking mood stabilizer since I was diagnosed with bipolar type 2 and I have ptsd but not on medication for that so I guess my body is going through a lot for now and I must not look back and just be patient things will slowly get better . Hopefully you’re getting the support and the help you need this was my first time I had the courage to ask for help and It’s the best thing that happened to me after doing it . I guess for now skiing shouldn’t be my priority and just let everything chill out and go if I feel like to do so . Wishing you the best.

**This post was edited on Mar 17th 2022 at 12:17:12pm

I live in the midwest and after I take a trip out west, I dont feel like skiing in the midwest for the rest of the season (which is exactly what happened this szn)

try snowboarding out - its a good productive break from skiing plus alot of boarders are cool/older if ur about that

its just a different good vibe

I have been through this. Felt a bit emotionless through everything at the beginning of the year, and it definately affected my will to ski too. Went almost a month without skiing, and I usually go every week at the least. It still isnt the same but you have to know your mental health affects EVERYTHING you enjoy, dont worry too much

Op, you live in Whistler? Travel the fuck out there. There is so much different terrain in BC!
Plan a month long road trip with friends. Get your parents to do an air bnb within the province.

Wanna really want to go skiing in the worst? Go the the maritimes! It rains all the god damn time and its ice. The vibe out there is unreal. The ski instructors are out of this world in the smallest ones. They care so much about skiing, its heart warming. Volunteering out there is awesome. Helping the schools for lessons, connecting with the locals is totally different take on learning Canada through cultural skiing. Ask @skiP.E.I. this dude has so many sick stories to tell!

freestyler540Op, you live in Whistler? Travel the fuck out there. There is so much different terrain in BC!
Plan a month long road trip with friends. Get your parents to do an air bnb within the
Wanna really want to go skiing in the worst? Go the the maritimes! It rains all the god damn time and its ice. The vibe out there is unreal. The ski instructors are out of this world in the smallest ones. They care so much about skiing, its heart warming. Volunteering out there is awesome. Helping the schools for lessons, connecting with the locals is totally different take on learning Canada through cultural skiing. Ask @skiP.E.I. this dude has so many sick stories to tell!

I came got réalisation that Whistler in general is pretty toxic environment for me despite all the good stuff around I’m just staying at my parents in the city until I find a new mountain town

donotreplyI came got réalisation that Whistler in general is pretty toxic environment for me despite all the good stuff around I’m just staying at my parents in the city until I find a new mountain town

privileged white girl problems.

Will the passion come back?
Did for me.....was out of skiing for long long time and certain circumstances brought me back in, in a roundabout way.... ski hill related job provided a $10 season pass and I bought an old man kit and wore my 40 year old fit.... like riding a bicycle, without the wheelies and jumps.

Probably on hill 40+ days.... every one skiing solo and at lowly PnP2( cept one day at HV).... two heavy smackdowns to get me back in my lane, skill wise


AND IT SAVED ME from drudging through another sloppy ass winter, occasionally shoveling snow waiting for the end.....
Instead I dreaded the MELT and wonder if I can wait 7 months, 2 weeks, 9 days for a ski swap to get my @OldStoke back and see what 2022/2023 holds for me come ol man winter.

SO fuc ya the passion will come back....just don't die between now and next snowfall

Don't put pressure on yourself to come back on a timeline, a specific way, or at all. I went through a similar thing in 2020 with biking. Didn't touch a bike for months while I was depressed. Tried to force myself and it sucked for everyone. Even now my interest and intensity fluctuates, but it's about figuring out how to being okay with that.

Despite the good I think social media can play a negative role, specifically when seeing what others are doing or saying they're doing and feeling inadequate in comparison. It's also OK to unplug from that sort of content as-needed. And as others suggested, trying other hobbies. Downhill/lift-access MTB is the only other sport I've tried that's given me a similar feeling to skiing, where I can't think about anything other than what's happening in the moment. XC MTBing and running still let my mind run.