How I'm thinking about skiing

As I progress more, I'm realizing that skiing doesn't have a single linear progression path. I'm instead reminded of a "tech tree" type situation. Tech trees are common in video games, where you build upon previous "upgrades", "skills", or other in-game elements that make you a stronger character. For example, in World of Tanks, there's an overall tech tree for each nation that defines which tanks you have access to, which branches out based on what archetype you're trying to specialize in (e.g., scouting, sniping, artillery, etc.).

With skiing, I'm planning on taking a pass at what that tech tree could look like. Based on my initial thoughts though, I'm feeling good about my carving, and I'm building out some of the other elements. My overall goal is to get to an amateur freeride skier level. I had somewhat thought about this before coming here, but one of my roommates in SLC really put me on to the freeride world.

To that end, yesterday was a park day, where I grinded ~25 laps on the terrain park to try and get some aerial maneuvers going. Feeling pretty good about my L180, but I need to grind the R180, switch 180s (left and right), and really get more comfortable in the air.

Abundance

Because of the fat park day yesterday, my legs are a bit cooked today - I'm worried that overuse will bring about shin splints, and worst case, stress fractures (the aforementioned roommate is currently recovering from them, and I would really like to avoid that predicament).

Today was a moderate powder day. Nothing insane, but there were pretty solid pockets of pow even at ~11:30AM off of High Traverse. My older, scarcity-mindset self would have continued to push and try to get more runs in, but I've really been trying to shift to an abundance mindset with everything, particularly skiing, given that I have the entire season ahead of me.

Honestly, I'm quite happy with myself for not trying to push through the pain today. I do believe that the abundance mindset is a huge unlock for global happiness levels - I see scarcity as a local optimization of resources that results in missing the global maximum.

In other news, got this SICK Alta powder basket, along with an Alta-branded lighter :)