[Op-Ed] Skiing Won't Save the World

Featured Image: Gabe Rovick

The world feels really heavy right now. As an Idaho transplant born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that weight has crushed me at times.

Winter out west has been pretty bleak, so far. It rained most of December, with brief moments of snowy solace before the new year, followed by consecutive weeks of high pressure. The climate feels particularly contentious these days—in more ways than one. 

It’s very easy to get caught up in the constant stream of bad news provided by the handheld computers in our pockets. If you’ve been feeling demoralized, dehumanized or desensitized, you’re not alone. That’s by design. But the worst thing we can do is nothing. Or doomscrolling. That’s actually worse than nothing. 

Only 50 percent of my local ski area is open, but the chairlift is running. It may not be snowing, but at least the sun is shining. Although ski conditions are far less than inspiring at the moment, it could certainly be worse. I’d rather muse on my feelings on top of a mountain than on my couch at home, likely seeking emotional regulation through my phone. 

I’m well aware that skiing will not solve all of our problems and the very act of going skiing is an immense privilege. The horrors persist, whether we watch it all unfold from our screens or not, but our lives cannot come to a halt because of it. What does help conjure actionable energy is taking care of ourselves. For skiers, self-care often looks like candid conversations on the chairlift, snacks and sensitivity shared on the skintrack, a fresh dose of Vitamin D and digital disconnect. It’s these small acts of kindness to ourselves that enable us to keep moving toward a healthier solution, together. Not just for us, but for our communities as a whole.

For me, skiing is a physical medium to figuratively clear my mind. It’s where I go when I feel at my best, but also at my worst. It’s a place that reminds me just how human I am, and just how beautiful that can be. It’s where I go to find myself and my voice. 

I’m not saying skiing will save the world, but it is really good at bringing humans together to collectively soothe our souls. And that feels like the most radical thing we can do right now. That, and calling our representatives.