Life after skiing

**minddoc** · 04-20-2007, 09:21 PM

I do a lot of Coaching in road cycling and work with guys who worry about what to do after racing. Its been their whole life for years. Do you guys ever worry about life after skiing?

**bossass** · 04-21-2007, 02:35 AM

Shit, not until now. Thanks.

**Singel** · 04-21-2007, 02:58 AM

I just hope to ski until I die, but not die while skiing.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 04-21-2007, 09:59 PM

I hope I die while dropping into Extra Chute, and that my corpse winds up slamming into the maze all the way down at Gold Coast. That'll show those fucking joeys what's up.

**splat** · 04-22-2007, 12:27 PM

I don't really get you at all, md. Are you a psychologist - and if you are - are you one of those guys who got into psychology to figure themselves out?

Either way, and it's just my opinion, life is a series of adaptations.
How one handles those adaptations is probably based deeply in the psyche of each individual based on their childhood role models and their life/spritual experiences. Resiliency is key. How individuals achieve resilient adaptations to life's changes would likely involve substitute gratifications of an acceptable level for them to feel their lives have value and payback.

**kidwoo** · 04-22-2007, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by Steven S. Dallas

That'll show those fucking joeys what's up.

Squaw has been invaded by baby kangaroos?

**Free Range Lobster** · 04-22-2007, 02:37 PM

A far wiser man than anyone here once said:

Life is just an opportunity to just go out and experience and hopefully find the things you love to do and do them and do them till you can't do them no more. And then have a backup plan for something you know that you're gonna love to do too and then do that till you can't do that anymore.

So shut the fuck up and ski.

**ski_faster** · 04-23-2007, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by Free Range Lobster

A far wiser man than anyone here once said:

Life is just an opportunity to just go out and experience and hopefully find the things you love to do and do them and do them till you can't do them no more. And then have a backup plan for something you know that you're gonna love to do too and then do that till you can't do that anymore.

Wow! Very Cool.

Thank You!

**Buster Highmen** · 04-24-2007, 11:50 AM

What is life after skiing? A sordid train of mushy steam table offerings? Bedpans? Wishing for a blowjob from the nurses? Depends? Dentures? Walkers? A long slow slide into the amnesiacs labyrinth, continually bumping into things of which you had a hazy memory, a tendril of thought, a caroming among the potentials of a diaphanous cottonball of remembrances?

I can't imagine life without skiing. Then again, I have a hard time imagining death.

**lemon boy** · 04-24-2007, 01:09 PM

My co-worker is in her 60s and works with the "Ski Meisters" at winter park, many of whom are well into their 80s so I'm not quite sure what you mean…I imagine when they quit that it's pretty much right into the home so life after skiing involves a lot of…

YAHTZEE!

**snowsprite** · 04-24-2007, 01:20 PM

I'll never forget this one day several years ago when I was skiing at Catamount, a little mole hill in the berkshires. I went into the lodge to have lunch and sat with an older gentleman, and what I mean by older is he told me that he was 89. He was wearing a knit hat with a big fuzzy pom-pom, flannel shirt, rear-entry boots, and grubby jeans. Nothing matched, and it was all very worn-looking.

Anyway, we got to talking and he told me he'd been skiing every year of his life, as many days as he could get in, since he was three years old. And he told me he had no intention of quitting until he died or could not stand up, and that hopefully death would be the reason.

This was one of the happiest people I've ever seen and having lunch with him was truly a blessing and a pleasure. I hope he never makes it to the nursing home, and that he dies in his sleep after a great day of spring turns.

I have never actually believed that I'd ever have to end my days on the slopes, or stop doing anything else I love for that matter. Maybe I'll have to scale it back, or do it differently...but I'd never quit altogether.

I mean, I love to paint...and if I could not paint with my hands then I'd hold a paintbrush in my teeth. I love to ski. And if I could not ski my favorite runs anymore because of my arthritis, then I'd ski the bunny hill. Or I'd get adaptive gear maybe.

But I don't see a reason to have to stop doing what you love, ever. There is always a way to continue it somehow, you just have to think of alternative approaches to getting your groove on-- and be happy with what you get, even if it's a little different than what you used to have. It's very important to be flexible and roll w/ the punches in life.

Sprite

**Mofro261** · 04-24-2007, 01:54 PM

I think what minddoc meant about life after was aimed for the professional skier/athlete as opposed to the recreant. What do you do when you can longer huck-for-bucks as a career? Seems this answer is easy- find some way to live off your notoriety and hook it into an inside job related to skiing. That or retire to a life of wealth and leisure(sic) like other pro athlete's and become fixated with how much better the skiers were back in the day than now when you were...

I'm only a pro in my own mind (cause, like I'd totally hit all that shit n' stuff

) but as a rec. skier I don't see the need to stop ever. Which is a good thing because no 12 step program or patch I've tried has reduced that craving over my 35 years of addiction.

**Free Range Lobster** · 04-24-2007, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mofro261

I think what minddoc meant about life after was aimed for the professional skier/athlete as opposed to the recreant.

My quote was from a professional skier...

**Odin** · 04-24-2007, 02:01 PM

My quote wasn't. Yes. I am talking to you Free Range Lobster

If that is your real name.

Anyhoo.

People who are competitive will find other things to become competitive about after they retire.

This may include another sport, or it may include drinking and driving.

Either way, they will still be A type personalities in search of a fix.

So basically..... don't worry about it. Everyone is going to die someday.

**Buster Highmen** · 04-24-2007, 02:02 PM

I'm more of a miscreant than a recreant anyway.

**Benny Profane** · 04-25-2007, 11:27 AM

Seriously, impact injuries are a tough one after a certain age. Hip breakage is usually a killer in the 70's - I've witnessed a few healthy people die within a year after that injury. And I'm not so sure I'd settle for safe little groomers, even at that age. Nah, I'm moving to a warm place with plenty of topless places, buying a Harley, and picking up a heroin habit.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 04-25-2007, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by kidwoo

Squaw has been invaded by baby kangaroos?

Yes, and I'm going to show them what's up.

**mrw** · 04-25-2007, 02:39 PM

A few years ago, my daughter and I were spending a day skiing in the Poconos. We rode up with an older woman and she started talking to my daughter. She was 92 years old. She was from NYC and was spending a few days in the Poconos to warm up for her annual ski trip to the Switzerland.

Now that's my kinda broad

**cj001f** · 04-26-2007, 03:59 AM

i'd do something else then.

**AsheanMT** · 04-26-2007, 04:18 AM

While boot packing in Glacier National Park last year we got passed by an 80-something who was on on uber light BC setup. Yup, he just passed us and disappeared around some peak towards a glacier.

**Crass3000** · 04-26-2007, 12:46 PM

i remember going up the T-bar at Breck a few years ago with a guy who must have been in their late 70s. The guy had knee-replacements and all. He was bitching about how they now no longer let you ski for free after hitting the "golden age." I was so amazed that these guys were going up to supposed double-diamond terrain. If they can ski that long I don't see why most people couldn't if they took care of themselves.

**minddoc** · 05-06-2007, 09:45 PM

We will just have to ski together someday splat. Mofro was right I really wanted to here from TGR pros or other pros. I guess your a pro so thanks for the info. I really don't care about what the weekender does.

Originally Posted by splat

I don't really get you at all, md. Are you a psychologist - and if you are - are you one of those guys who got into psychology to figure themselves out?

Either way, and it's just my opinion, life is a series of adaptations.
How one handles those adaptations is probably based deeply in the psyche of each individual based on their childhood role models and their life/spritual experiences. Resiliency is key. How individuals achieve resilient adaptations to life's changes would likely involve substitute gratifications of an acceptable level for them to feel their lives have value and payback.

**RootSkier** · 05-21-2007, 01:48 PM

Usually, after skiing, I will drink a beer and rub one off.

**cj001f** · 05-21-2007, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by RootSkier

Usually, after skiing, I will drink a beer and rub one off.

lately after surfing I've gone to get a massage and paid to have someone rub mine off. far more civilized.

**basom** · 05-24-2007, 02:45 PM

once i decide its over for me as a pro i plan on getting into ultimate fighting. when i was youngerr the goal was to be on american gladiators (i looked a lot like nitro), but since that competitive sports show is now off the air i'll have to settle for the UFC. its exciting to look forward to it.