Back to Snow!

I finally returned to the slopes again after a year and almost three months.  Mammoth Mountain Ski Area brought the goods.  The conditions were the best I have experienced in the spring!  The joy in my heart was undeniably overflowing. I was back like a little kid playing in the snow.  Being away from the sport I love for so long was brutal but it put so much in perspective.

After completely obliterating my knee (tearing pretty much every ligament), breaking my leg and having nerve damage, I had no idea what to expect.  Would I be nervous, anxious, scared upon return…or more importantly in pain?  All of those things crossed my mind but I wouldn’t know until that moment I clicked in and touched the snow.  After that first day I knew everything would be OK and I am back where I belong.

All the time in the gym and in therapy has been so worth it.  The importance of staying in the process through the ups and downs was crucial.  I still have a long way to go until I am race ready but this next chapter of skiing has me even more excited and ready to keep tackling this journey.  In the past I always have had such a carefree feeling in my skiing, and now I notice pure intention with every little movement of my skiing.  I am so appreciative of the mental growth, feeling fulling present, and of course just the ability to ski again.

I’m so grateful for all the people who helped me get back on skis - doctors, physical therapists, trainers, family, and friends.  It has been a massive team effort and I am so appreciative.  I have a revived spirit/energy and can’t wait to go again & again & again!!

Michael Rogan - Nicest human, rad ski expert, and perfect guy for Alice and I to do our return to snow with. Fun skiing again with Alice after her brutal injury as well. Such an inspiration.