The Best Ski Season Doesn't Start on Opening Day 🎿

Hey Ski Fam,

I used to think ski season began on opening day.

You know the feeling. The alarm goes off before sunrise. The coffee tastes better than it has all year. You throw your gear in the car, meet up with friends, and head toward the mountains with more excitement than sleep.

For years, I thought that's where every great season began.

I was wrong.

A few days ago, I opened the garage to grab something completely unrelated to skiing. Sitting in the corner were my skis, exactly where I left them after spring.

I walked right past them...then stopped.

I picked them up and realized I was already thinking about winter.

Not because there was snow in the forecast.

Not because Mammoth had announced opening day.

Just because something inside me knew it was getting closer.

That's when it hit me.

The best ski seasons I've ever had didn't begin with the first snowfall.

They began with little decisions made months earlier.

Great Winters Are Built One Small Step at a Time

When I think back on my favorite seasons, I don't remember scrambling to get ready.

I remember feeling ready.

Somewhere during the summer, I had already bought my pass. My skis had already been tuned. I had talked with friends about taking a few trips, and somehow the weekends that mattered had found their way onto the calendar.

None of those things felt very exciting in July.

There wasn't a single snowflake in the mountains.

But when winter finally showed up, everything felt easier.

Instead of rushing around, I was loading the car.

Instead of standing in line at the ski shop, I was standing in the lift line.

Looking back, I wasn't lucky.

I was simply prepared.

Southern California Skiing Is Different

One of the things I love about skiing in Southern California is that we work for it.

Most of us don't live at the base of the mountain. A ski day means setting the alarm while it's still dark, packing the car, grabbing breakfast on the road, and hoping traffic cooperates just enough to make first chair.

It takes effort.

Maybe that's why every ski day feels like such a reward.

When you finally round that last bend and see snow on the mountains, it feels like you've earned it.

The funny thing is, earning that moment usually starts long before the drive ever begins.

It starts when you decide skiing is going to be part of your winter.

Life Has a Funny Way of Filling the Calendar

Every year I tell myself I have plenty of time.

Then somehow...

I don't.

Summer disappears. School starts. Football shows up on television. The mornings get a little cooler, and suddenly someone posts a picture of fresh snow in the Sierra mountains.

That's when every skier seems to remember the exact same things.

"My skis need a tune."

"Where are my gloves?"

"I still haven't bought my pass."

"I thought I had more time."

I've said every one of those things.

Probably more than once. 😄

That's exactly why I've started thinking differently about July.

I'm not trying to rush summer.

I'm simply giving my future self a head start.

One Small Decision Changes Everything

Here's what I've learned.

You don't have to plan your entire ski season today.

You don't need every hotel booked or every weekend mapped out.

You just need one small step.

Maybe it's finally buying your season pass.

Maybe it's pulling your skis out of the garage to see if they need a tune.

Maybe it's putting a little money aside for your first mountain trip.

Or maybe it's as simple as sending one text to your ski buddy.

"So...when are we going?"

Funny enough, that's how most great ski seasons begin.

Not with a snowstorm.

With a conversation.

Your Future Ski Self Will Thank You

Imagine it's opening weekend.

Your gear is ready. Your pass is in your pocket. Your friends already know the plan.

You're not searching the garage for missing goggles or calling three ski shops hoping someone can squeeze in a last-minute tune.

You're already on the road.

The mountains don't know whether you prepared in July or waited until November.

But you do.

One choice made today can mean one less problem later.

And one less problem usually means one more run.

One Small Thing This Week

So here's my challenge for both of us.

Do one thing this week that your December self will thank you for.

Take a walk after dinner.

Tune your skis.

Replace those gloves that have somehow survived one season too many.

Start a little ski fund.

Or text the friend who's always up for one more run.

You don't need to get ready for everything.

You just need to get started.

Because opening day doesn't arrive all at once.

It sneaks up on us.

And when it does, you'll be glad you started thinking about it now.

Summer Proverb

"The best ski seasons don't begin with snow. They begin with one small decision." 🎿

💌 Quick Question

What's the first thing you do each year that makes ski season feel real?

Do you buy your pass? Tune your skis? Start texting your ski crew? Or maybe you simply start watching the weather a little more closely.

Hit reply and let me know. I'd love to hear what kicks off ski season for you.

Or save this newsletter for later. Better yet, share it with the friend who's already counting the days until winter.

Before we know it, summer will quietly slip away.

The mornings will get colder.

The mountains will turn white again.

And one morning we'll be driving toward the Sierra mountains wondering why we ever thought winter was so far away.

Until then...

Keep making the little choices that your future skier will thank you for.

See you on the mountain.

— Sasha Everett

P.S. We're building a crew of adventure-lovers like you—because more readers means more perks, like exclusive discounts and insider gear deals. Know someone who loves wildflowers, spring skiing, or just fresh air? 🌞 Send them this newsletter and invite them to subscribe at 👉- https://skisocalinsider.com/