This semester has been a struggle to keep motivation up for school and skiing together. Days spent at school feel like days I could be skiing while days on the hill feel like a denial of the classes I am paying for.
This has been a constant battle throughout the semester, and honestly throughout my college career. I care deeply about academics but sometimes the joy of skiing overpowers my drive to sit in a classroom.
I only have school two days a week, I was lucky enough to stack all my classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Yet, these two days spent away from the resort feel tedious. I sit in classes and write all my papers about skiing or ski culture and draft up these stories in my head until the clock strikes four and I head home.
Today I felt particularly antsy to get outside so I thought I might take myself for an evening cross country ski. I XC-skied all through high school and even spent some time as a youth coach, so the sport is familiar to me, however skiing a tiny track on man-made snow was something new.
The lack of a snowpack this year has not only affected alpine skiing but XC too, a fact that was made clear to me today. Despite imperfect conditions and a later than evening start, I enjoyed my small ski tonight.
I am grateful first, that I can go skiing as often as I do and remain a full-time student, but secondly, that on days I can’t make it to the resort my community has provided other opportunities for outdoor recreation. (Shout out Bridger Ski Foundation for keeping the Bozeman trails groomed!).
Getting outside is important for all people but the community at MSU prioritizes it. As I head into my final few months as an undergrad, I hope to find some greater balance between myself as a skier and myself as a student.