There are a lot of amazing snowboarders in Whistler, many of which came with the dream of pushing their snowboarding to the next level. I’ve noticed one thing stop many of them from progression…
Partying.
Shots on a ski? Seems like a good idea to me!
Now, let me be clear, there’s nothing wrong with partying and having a little fun from time to time. Heck, I think balance is really important and not taking time off to enjoy yourself is a quick way to burn out from snowboarding.
However, for those looking to progress their snowboarding, partying requires some discipline. You can’t be partying every night if you want to progress. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that the effects of alcohol on your body and mind aren’t beneficial to your snowboarding.
Many a snowboarder has come to Whistler with the goal of pushing their snowboarding, but ended up just partying every night. Now, if that’s all they want from life, that’s fine too, but a little focus is required if you want to keep advancing your snowboarding.
It’s insanely easy to end up partying all week at a ski resort. There’s always someone’s ‘last day of the season’ or ‘first day in town’ or some epic party or some video premiere. That’s life in a ski town and it’s easy to get carried away with the partying.
I remember watching one of my friends progress insanely fast over the course of one season. Compared to all the other seasons we had spent in Whistler, that season really exploded his riding.
When I look back and think about it, it was also the first season where he really controlled his partying. He kept the partying to the occasional night out and birthday celebrations.
I was especially surprised on New Year’s eve when he didn’t drink much because he said he wanted to bring in the new year by slaying the slopes, instead of being insanely hungover.
In the end, I think it’s all about good balance. You don’t really want to be the guy who’s always too hungover to enjoy the slopes, but you also don’t want to be the guy who pushes himself 7 days a week, 365 days a year and ends up burning out.
Keep yourself balanced and keep shredding the slopes.
– Jed