Fear is no fun. And learning to ski or ride for the first time, or leveling up to new a challenge, can bring it up. It doesn’t matter that a run is an easy green; if it’s new for you, it can be intimidating. I know because I’ve pushed myself awfully hard over the last two winters and more than once found myself paralyzed with fear.
Fear doesn’t just come up for new skiers, if you only ski once a year, or are pushing yourself to learn something new like moguls, you could find yourself getting unnerved.
While there is no “cure-all” for facing skiing anxiety, there are some techniques you can use.
PHOTO: Doug Swick, Flickr
1. Get Real
If you haven’t skied in 10 years, don’t head straight for the black runs right away. Instead, build up from less challenging terrain. Likewise, if you’re a new skier, enjoy runs that fit your skill level. Snow sports are supposed to be fun, not masochistic. Being realistic about your abilities is the first step to enjoying your day.
2. Slow and Steady Wins the Race
This is the advice I ignored, causing me more anxiety than I needed to endure. Don’t expect to take a couple of lessons, then move to blue runs immediately. Yes, some people do, but most need to build confidence and skills on green runs. Focus on developing good form and having fun. It’s not a competition. I moved from easy green to steep off-piste runs in a season. Unfortunately, it often wasn’t fun because it was unfamiliar and scary. My blood would run cold as the run dropped steeply below me.
If you want to learn a new skill, introduce yourself a little at a time. Take moguls for example: introduce yourself to small moguls first, focusing on form, and simply getting the “feel” of them. Next build up to larger more challenging moguls. Repeated exposure and a slow progression, will not only build your skills, but also make something intimidating both familiar and less frightening. Essentially, you are desensitizing yourself to the frightening activity.
PHOTO: Pai-monogaga, Flickr
3. Avoid Peer Pressure
If your skills are beginning to intermediate, but your buddies push you to, “Give blacks a try,” it can be intimidating and uncomfortable.
“We are social creatures, and most of us like to ski with our friends and lovers. Finding oneself significantly beneath the level of the people we are trying to ski with can be frustrating if not outright embarrassing,” explains Steve Seliger, a Salt Lake City marriage and family therapist and avid skier.
One solution is to look for easy runs that parallel steeper terrain and tree runs. Alta Ski Area and Brighton Resort in Utah both offer areas where this works well. Ride the same lift, and then wind down nearby runs occasionally passing each other. I really like this solution because it keeps my partner and me together while allowing us to ski at our respective abilities.
Alternatively, you could break away and take a lesson. This both relieves pressure and develops your skills.
Lastly you could agree to each “do your own thing” and meet later for lunch or a beer.
4. Take Lessons
Yes, I mentioned instruction before—that’s because it works! Lessons make an enormous difference when trying to break through to a new level or build confidence. Opt for a pro and ask questions before choosing an instructor. Look for experience, enthusiasm, and certification from the Professional Ski Instructors of America – American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI).
“Frequently the temptation is to want to use our ski time together as lesson time – one partner helping the other one catch-up,” explains Seliger, “ That’s great if it works for you, but many people find that it doesn’t. Using a professional instructor (especially one who is highly qualified and recommended) is the way to go.
“Please don’t feel bad or odd if your spouse, significant other, best friend, etc. is someone you just don’t want to take lessons from. Their qualifications and experience may be exemplary – and it’s so tempting to want to save money – but there are a host of common and valid psychological reasons why many people have difficulty taking lessons from their significant other. If you want to overcome issues (which you can do) the slope is not the place for it. Resolve your emotional issues or develop your communication skills with each other in counseling. Improve your skiing / snowboarding skills with an instructor.”
PHOTO: Alex Berger, Flickr
5. Take a Break and Breathe
Fear blocks our ability to think clearly. Not a good thing on the side of mountain with slick things on your feet. If you get really anxious, the best move is to take a break or at least pause and take 5-10 deep breaths. Sitting in the lodge with a steamy mug of hot cocoa allows you to relax and collect yourself. When heading back to the slopes, opt for something a step easier to warm up and regain your confidence.
Feeling afraid while skiing or snowboarding is common, even for people who have experience. It is part of being human. Using these suggestions, be kind to yourself and have fun.
See you on the slopes!
This is why I love to go to places like Sunday River or Jay Peak or many other areas where staying on the mountain comes with lift tickets AND lessons. When everybody in the group / family gets a free lesson first thing in the morning or right after lunch, there is less pressure to ski hard with the group because you are either 1) tired after that lesson, or 2) ready to try new things after learning a new skill. When you finally DO get together with the rest of the gang, it is a lot more laid back and fun!
[…] post was originally published on Liftopia.com. Read all of my posts on Liftopia […]
I’m a huge fan of skiing. Having Dystonia, a neurological disorder, which makes me feel uncoordinated and quickly exhausted and therefore sometimes fearful, I happily cheer on my companions and admire their skills. I’ve learned to relax skiing on my own and they come down and hang out and relax for a while on some beautiful sweeping green or take me to an easy blue they’ve discovered. It’s okay with me. Just being among the trees and snow is PURE BLISS! I encourage more people who will never be charging the double black diamonds to just get out there. It’s okay to ski at the level that is right for you…forever and LOVE IT!!
Hello! Not sure if anyone will see this since this was posted so long ago.. yesterday was my first time trying to ski. I’m 22 years old, about 10 years ago was the last time I was in the snow and I was with my grandma and she broke her leg while we were sledding. Adding that in because I’m not sure if it has any affect on how I acted at the slopes yesterday. While gearing up, I started to have trouble breathing, once I was all geared up I couldn’t stop trembling and then I started hyperventilating which all of that fear and anxiety led up to me crying hysterically! I was so embarrassed! I made it out maybe 10 yards before I called it quits! I never even made it to the slopes. T get to the bunny slopes you have to travel through blue and black areas so as I was attempting to waddle down to the bunny expert skiers and boarders were zooming past me at like 100mph!! That could have also played a role of why I was so terrified. I feel guilty with all the money we spent (non refundable passes and rental) and I feel guilty that I didn’t let my boyfriend ski because I was so scared after 10 min I stripped down and ran to the car! And I feel guilty that I let such a fear overtake me like that! I was told that maybe I just need a lesson to boost my confidence but I’ve never been so uncomfortable and so terrified in my life, maybe I just have an irrational fear of being on the mountain?
Hi Dayja,
It’s okay. To compensate for your boyfriend’s missed opportunity, arrange a surprise two-day/three day ski trip with him together – and just go for it.
Remember:
1) You never HAVE to ski blue/blacks until you are comfortable. Ski all you want on bunny slopes until you feel comfortable sliding on snow, doing basic turns and coming to a stop
2) Take a lesson – and not from your boyfriend no matter how skilled he may be. Take it from a qualified instructor if you want to keep your relationship healthy and happy
3) Remember, it’s only snow! It doesn’t hurt to fall if you are on a slope within your ability level – and your bunny slopes may be surrounded by blue/black runs – just ignore the skiers on it and focus on YOURSELF and improving your ability
4) Whenever fear takes over – breathe! Take a few deep breaths, slide a little bit, stop and then tell yourself that it is okay. And remind yourself that the skis, boots, jacket etc can all be taken off whenever you want to take it off. You are by no means clamped within all that gear against your will.
5) Ski only as much as you enjoy. If it is terrifying, then go to the bar/restaurant – grab your favorite drink and recompose yourself. Let your boyfriend ski till then; and then hit the slopes again. It will be okay.
Good luck out there!
I’m one of the those people that can get paralyzed by fear as well. When my husband wanted to take up skiing at 40 years old and I was against it at first, but then I started doing some research. What I came away with was, first, take lessons from trained professional…you are not going to get hurt under their care. Second and the MOST IMPORTANT – You Control Your Risk! You do not have to go anywhere or do anything that you don’t feel comfortable doing. I have been skiing for 3 years now and finding a lot of joy in it. You control your speed, you go on the trails you feel most comfortable on and don’t fall for peer pressure on the hill. It is beautiful up on the mountain surrounded by trees and snow. I do get anxiety skiing with people and prefer to ski alone. This allows me to relax and enjoy myself. Try it again like the previous writer suggested, but take a lesson and remember – you control your risk, just like every other sport.
Thank you SO much for naming it. It was very embarrassing and frustrating for me to go skiing for the first time in my life with my partner who has been doing snow sports for several years. I hated it. And I know that he loves it and wants me to join him and his friends. How do I muster up the courage to go when I am terrified and can barely do a green? Oof. I felt normal after reading this and feel like I can verbalize my anxieties around it better.