FREESKIER's Do's and Don'ts of Opening Day

Featured Image: Gabe Rovick

The flakes are starting to accumulate and opening day announcements are continually dropping, now all there is left to do is wait patiently…sort of. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been in a state of withdrawal since closing day at your local hill. The last turns slipped away thanklessly and the sticks were reluctantly stowed away for the season.

In the last couple of weeks leading up to breaking out the sticks, we need to have a chat. Opening day is the culmination of a whole summer of stoke-building, and you’ve gotta make sure you do it right. Here’s the official FREESKIER guide to nailing opening day and teeing up a winning season for you and your crew.

DO: Scrape that summer wax off

Nobody wants to be waiting for you in the lift line when the first turns of the season are at stake, and conversely, no one wants to be the one bogging the group down. Make sure you scrape off that storage wax so your shins don't disown you.

2 skiers at vail — **Image:** *Andrew Maguire*

DON’T: Break out the brand new skis

Early season conditions are anything but soft and friendly. Sure, there’s the flukey November pow day, but underneath the white-coated bliss lies a far more rocky reality. I know you’re dying to test out this summer’s impulse purchase, but you’re better off bringing the beaters and not worrying your day away. It just means even more to look forward to later in the season.

DO: Put on your winter tires

We’ve all seen the 2WD vehicles stuck spinning tires in the middle lane while hordes of angry drivers slide past them. Please, do not be that guy. For the sake of safety and preserving dignity, make sure to throw on those winter tires before your first trip up to the mountains so you can have peace of mind getting up there and getting home.

DON’T: Forget layers

Trust me, I remember the balmy days of spring skiing in a tee shirt and shorts (or jorts if you’re cool), but November is not quite as friendly. It’s hard to tell what kind of weather we’ll all face on opening weekend at our local hill, but temps that were hot in the spring can feel much nippier during the ‘ber months. Make sure you pack plenty of layers to stay comfy and dry through variable fall weather.

DO: Warm Up

If you’re like me and can’t quite swing the South American summer yet, then it’s been a little while since you’ve hit some turns. So, if you wanna throw that huge daffy, you've gotta let your legs know what they have coming. That being said, just like a hard workout, it’s best to get those muscles that haven’t been active in a few months warm before diving in head first. For an easy routine at the car in the parking lot hit some leg swings, a few squats, lunges and a torso twist or two. Your body will thank you later.

DON’T: Forget to stretch

Just as it’s good practice to warm your muscles up to ski, it’s crucial to get a good stretch in after they are activated for the first time in a while. If you don’t stretch after you ski, you increase your risk of getting injured and ending your season. Stretching keeps muscles loose and healthy so you can keep shredding all season long and reduce day-after soreness. For a solid base, pick of few of the following stretches and get a routine going:

Quad Pulls
Toe Touches
Side Lunges
Downward Dog
Calf Stretcher (or a wall if you don’t have one)

Opening day can be controversial, with some vowing to never attend one again and some living for the first turns of the season. Wherever you stand, it’s crucial to be prepared for the winter as a whole, whenever it starts for you. Personally, I am an opening day believer. From the live music to the free donuts in line, and even the first traffic gridlock of the season with friends, I soak it all in every year, and I hope you’ll do the same. With these tips in your arsenal, you’ll be set up to be an absolute weapon come your local opening day. Dial up a good playlist for the drive and clear your calendar, with La Nina coming in strong this winter it’ll be a deep one. We’ll see you out there.