Funny, this post has been saved on my WordPress dashboard for about two years now and it’s interesting that today is the day I choose to post it. Recently, I saw something on FOX News (hey…it’s entertaining sometimes) about seasonal depression and this year it seems to be at an all time low…so I guess that is why.
Every year…about this time (or earlier), I fall into a sort of seasonal-depression. The lack of skiing affects me greatly, less physically…more mentally. I really look forward to spring skiing, but most of the time the snowline creeps up the mountain faster that expected and I’m not able to achieve many of the goals I set for myself…and it bums me out. Am I the only one?
Skiing is a large part of my life right now, and like a cigarette addict quitting smoking cold turkey, I really have trouble dealing with not skiing and transitioning into summer-mode as the snow melts. It’s not really the lack of snow though, as I’m willing to hike miles and miles for turns if I have to. The reality of the situation is that duty calls and we all have to pay the bills. My work load increases big-time in the spring and summer months, and I have less and less time for skiing adventures and it kills me to not have time to put stuff together. Finding partners for the long humps to snow can also be a major challenge this time of year and timing trips coinciding with sunny days can sometimes be tough when you have other responsibilities.
I must say, not being able to ski truly seems to affect my psyche. The idea that there is snow out there to ski…and I’m not skiing it…drives me to the brink of insanity sometimes. I know it’s pathetic that someone can have such a one-track mind, but some addictions just completely take over. I tend to keep to myself 
most of the time and this probably doesn’t help me get over the warm weather blues. Trail running is one way I deal with getting rid of all the angst, but sometimes it takes a while for me to get stoked to lace up the shoes. I do some fly-fishing and own a drift-boat that also help me mellow out and not completely wig out from the lack of turns. Many of my friends say I should take up mountain biking, they say it’s a lot like skiing, but I’m not totally sold on the idea yet.
I did some research and found that seasonal depression (AKA, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD…fitting aye?)) happens in the fall and winter for most, but occasionally occurs in the late spring as well. Statistics say that 4-6% of the US population suffers from SAD and is more common in people that live at higher latitudes (meaning further away from the equator). Some say that the availability of sunlight is one of the causes, but for me I think it is more due to the lack of skiing. I wonder if they have a ‘ski pill’…to help those of us with these separation issues. Sure would be the easy way out of the funk.
ers over $50!
I feel ya Steve… I live in Denver and I cover the whole mountain region for my work. It kills me to be driving around Denver and see all the snow in the peaks, and not be skiing it. Or when I’m in Idaho Falls and can’t drive to Jackson. It’s even worse in the winter when the Wasatch are staring at me in SLC and I have a meeting to get to. I mean, we all playhooky sometimes, but every moment we can’t the pain weighs on a ski addicts. Just letting you know you’re not alone!
Thanks Collin!
I’m right with ya. Always looking for snow and a partner too…..if you find that “Ski Pill” let me know. Keep it up!
Dont do this to me Steve, you are my ski pill! I definatley have the same disorder, and people do let me know this. For me, summer = all work & no ski = sucks.
Couldn’t have put it better myself. Doesn’t help when all I get is quizzical looks from people when I tell them I want winter back!
Steve
Chile and Argentina bekon for the trip of your life time, make it happen!
Hey for me it’s snow in general! I’m stuck out in Virginia for a few more years and when I it snowed last year I was happy, people around here were freaking out and I was getting out in it (unfortunately no skiing around the coast). I was so pumped that I had to get back home and try the new tram out. Had the same problem in Alaska I lived for the winters up there…absolutely loved every 50 below minute the more snow and cold the better. When summer would come around I would kind of drop in to a funk until the salmon started running.
Hey look on the bright side your living in Jackson Hole and there’s poor smoes like me stuck in Hampton Virginia with no mountains, trout, or mountains…yep said it twice nothing like seeing the Wind River range and Absarokas in the morning!!!!!
well atleast you are not a crack addict. that said – my solution to your blues = rock climb, especially those numerous routes in the tetons and winds.
Thanks for the words. I’d love to get something going where I could head to SA or NZ for the summer…but it just never seems to materialize.
Gee Steve
I feel really close to you now.
I have tried mountain biking and all kinds of things.
Nothing replaces skiing.
Lindyhop is the closest thing I have found and maybe
it is the intense mental attention with movement and coordination
that it requires.
I spend all summer thinking about my next day on skis.
I leave my gear out where I can see it and touch it.
Glad to know there are others.
Lindy Hop? Really? I had to Google than one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAAAV7BB1HU
I know another guy and gal here in Jackson that compete in dancing comps (placing quite well…I think they went to the World Champs or something) and are pretty damn good skiers too! I’m not sure I’m ready for it just yet…or ever I guess. Maybe break dancing would be more my speed. 🙂
Hope your still skiing Bill!!!!
Hey Steve
Still skiin. I hiked about 4 miles to get in 200 yards of suncups and runnels
yesterday.
There is still some stuff to be had but work commitments keep me away from it.
Yep, Lindyhop.
I started dancing as something to help my skiing and an activity I could
do in the evenings and when I cannot ski.
I do a lot of different types of dance, but Lindy is my soul and the people
that are involved in it are really laid back and fun. It is definetly the most difficult, but rewarding. If you ever get a chance to go to some Lindy event check it out. Salt lake has some stuff. I have to travel to Sacramento usually, but I have a great partner in my wife and we can find some bands around here to enjoy too.
That’s so great Bill! We’ve got some decent skiing still, but you gotta hike a bit to get to it. I’m hoping to test out a new addition to the spring skiing kit this weekend. A little late to really take advantage of it this year, but already looking forward to next spring. What a surprise!
Lisa and John Grant are the people here in JH that compete. Maybe you know them?
I am not familiar with John and Lisa, But there are so many
different areas or dance and I mostly just try to stay on my feet and have fun.
Rando Esteban,
Take up kayaking and enjoy the snow a second time!
I don’t know what’s wrong with you people. I suffer from the exact opposite.
dude –
I have a vice for each season, so by the end of winter i’m generally ready to take a break and move onto the next thing for a while (mountain biking, rock climbing).
I REALLY agree with the mountain bike suggestion.
I think you need a summertime activity that you come to enjoy to keep you up for a while.
peace
Snow will fall again and there are better alternatives than mountain biking to fill the void left from skiing. I found that many backcountry travelers have found longboarding a close alternative. Thats if you don’t mind changing your body position. I know many of the skiing elite in this community cant go sideways. Speed, smooth carvin’ and long decents make me forget about park tours and glory death marches for a while. Plus if you need the rush you get from skiing a steep coulior, longboarding the pass under the moon light is always blast.
I have it bad. I run but that almost makes it worse. I need something that scares me or takes everybit of concentration, otherwise i dwell on turns. New sports seem to help, I’ve kayaked all my life so canoes surfboards etc keep me learning in a familiar environment. Unfortunately there simply is no substitution for snow. Try to stay away from the crystal meth…
Hi Steve, I hear you man. How about supplementing that “crystal meth” with some “crack” – wide, AKA off-width got really addictive for me. Since I started climbing, late spring is nearly overwhelming with choices; less ski deprivation – AT skiing or crack climbing? Or both? I wish I had more time for either. No help there…Good luck. –M
Yeah, I haven’t exactly gotten into the swing of summer yet, either. Part of it is that never-ending list of things I want to ski and didn’t cross off last winter, some of it is the increased responsibilities of work/life in the summer, and of course not making turns…
Get a bike. Carving a good bike turn at speeds that are a little faster than they should be will give you the rush you’re missing right now. Like skiing, you can stare at maps and find new trails and new link-ups to get you stoked to explore. Not to mention the lines you’ll spy on peaks you ride by and go back to ski the next winter…
Get inspired
http://www.kgb-productions.com/home.html
Freedom Riders (other stuff is really good too)
Though you would probably be much more comfortable with the XC version…
Biking definitely has the flow, and kayaking is the flow. Jackson has them all.
Longboarding, climbing… some people even surf. After that last day when you come home with mud caked ski boots, turn the page on SAD and keep living. You know plenty of people that do all of these things after a long day’s work. If anyone can do it it’s you Steve.
You certainly have much more to be excited about than trail running. People do that in Connecticut!
Air NZ has flights from the USA to Chrischuch NZ for NZ$502.50 – and it’s the best start to the ski season in 25 years…so no reason to complain!