Ahh spring, the days are longer. The sun is brighter, it's warmer. Things are starting to bloom... hold up this means winter is over. While some people experience seasonal depression in the winter ( who could ever imagine such a thing ) a few experience this in the off season aka summer. Spring is a reminder that the season is coming to a close, the snow is melting not accumulating.
Depending on who you are you may even welcome the change of pace of no longer having to wake up at 4 am to get first tracks on a pow day and may be preparing for your summer hibernation. Or you may be entering shoulder season. A dope time that you can ski in the am while getting that corn harvest and in the afternoon going for a quick swim.
Some of us enjoy the off season. It's a time to recover, look into new ways to experience nature and ourselves. To reconnect with old hobbies or try new sports. If your'e a ski bum maybe this is the time that you hustle to ensure you give yourself the best chance to get the most days on the hill during the winter.
Either side of the coin that you land on, the reality is spring leads to summer which means there's some time between those last turns and opening day. How do you compact the mental and emotional shift from chasing your dream line to now waiting for it to get cold again? Here at She-Shredz we feel your pain, here are some ideas to get you through those snowless months.
Try A New Sport
Look were not going to try to convince you that if you are a snow girlie that all of the sudden you're suddenly going to fall head over heels for summer. Time will go by with or without you enjoying yourself, but it doesn't hurt to try to expand your activities.
Always wanted to try climbing? Why not go ahead and see how that feels and enjoy a new challenge. Maybe you've always wanted to summit a peak. Go for it.
Just because winter isn't on the menu currently doesn't mean you can't find new thrills in a different environment. You may surprise yourself and find that you enjoy a new hobby that you never considered.
Recover
Depending on how intense your season is, you may need to recover. For those of you who are rippers, there is nothing wrong with accepting the physical and mental fatigue that comes with pushing bigger and more bold lines. This takes a toll on both your body and mind.
Recovery is a crucial part to any training. Whether you are fatigued and need to take a step back to focus on your next seasons goals or perhaps an injury ( we have all been there ). Use your time to realign and come back ready to shred hard.
Set Goals For Next Season
The off season is an excellent time to reflect. You are rested, thinking clearly and no longer in pow mania. Often, this period of quiet allows us to revisit the parts of the season that went well and the parts that didn't go according to plan. Something that hardly ever gets discussed is what draws you to a line, and how the mountain every season even if it's your home mountain looks and feels different yet familiar.
Take a step back and think what are your goals for next season?
Are you going for big line? Do you want to become AIARE certified in the bc? Use the extra time of not making those turns to plan and create a plan on how you want to achieve whatever you are being called to.
Train
You got winter on your mind and that's how you like it. You've picked a new goal(s). Whether that's a skill or trick or a line that you're wanting to go explore. Plan and start training.
If you are attempting a new skill or trick. Train. Get your body ready for whatever you will be asking your body to do. From landing that 360 to whatever your goal may be. Ensuring that you are fit and staying in shape is a great way to set yourself up for success.
Reconnaissance is often something that is overlooked. Wanting to try a new back country line that makes your heart flutter a bit? Go climb it, feel it, and route plan. Bigger lines take more commitment and planning than just showing up. Use the time without snow to game plan. When the snow does start to fall again you'll be ready to go verse playing catch up.
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