The 15 Most Inspirational Ski Quotes to Get You Stoked for the Season

You probably don’t need any more motivation to get excited about ski season, but although it is right around the corner, many of us still have one, two, or even three months until we will be sliding on snow again.

While we continue to wait patiently for the snowflakes to start flying, here are some of our favorite quotes from industry legends to get you stoked for the upcoming season. Pull them out anytime you want, because if you’re not skiing, you might as well be thinking about it.

#15 “Skiing: the art of catching a cold and going broke while rapidly heading nowhere at great personal risk.” 

Unknown quote that makes the sport sound awful, but if you know, you know.

• Related: Against Skiing? Some People Just Don’t Get it

#14 “Scare yourself every day.”

Sarah Burke, pioneering Canadian freestyle skier and four-time Winter X Games gold medalist who helped popularize women’s halfpipe skiing. This quote encourages you to push yourself just enough, but hopefully you still know your own personal limits.

#13 “If you don’t do it this year, you will be one year older when you do.”

Warren Miller, legendary filmmaker. We’ve all heard this one before. It is a great reminder to take the ski trip now.

#12 “I think the most important thing in skiing is you have to be having fun. If you’re having fun, then everything else will come easy to you.”

Lindsey Vonn, one of the most successful female alpine ski racers in history. Thanks for the reminder, Lindsey.

• Related: The Undisputed First Rule of Skiing and Snowboarding

#11 “Just ski down there and jump off something for cryin’ out loud!” 

Shane McConkey, legendary professional skier who revolutionized big mountain skiing. You have to love the straightforwardness of this—don’t think about it, just send it.

#10 “A pair of skis are the ultimate transportation to freedom.”

Warren Miller. If you know, you know.

#9 “A bad day skiing beats a good day at work.”

Unknown author, but this is an important reminder for when conditions aren’t perfect.

#8 “There is no such thing as too much snow.”

Doug Coombs, one of the pioneers of modern big-mountain skiing and a two-time World Extreme Skiing champion, spent his career chasing exactly that philosophy before his death in 2006 while skiing in France. Most would agree; the more, the better.

#7 “My goal is the same as every year–to not hurt myself.”

Bode Miller, legendary American alpine skier and two-time Olympic medalist. Sending good vibes to everyone to have an injury-free season.

#6 “It is better to go skiing and think of God than go to church and think of sport.”

Fridtjof Nansen, Norwegian polar explorer, scientist, and Nobel Peace Prize winner — was skiing across the Arctic decades before it was a competitive sport. For anyone who’s religious and can only ski on weekends, this one’s for you.

#5 “People weren’t made to fly, that’s why we make kickers.” and “You won’t get hurt skiing if you don’t fall.”

Warren Miller. This evolution wasn’t hard to figure out.

#4 “There is nothing better in life than sliding down snow before flying through the air.”

Shane McConkey. Building off the last quote, there is nothing quite like the feeling of flying.

#3 “I just love to be on my skis, skiing with my friends, just going out into the mountains and being in nature and skiing some powder. That’s the best thing.”

Candide Thovex, legendary French professional skier known for his innovative tricks, big mountain skiing, and viral ski films. I think everyone can relate to this.

#2 “You can’t get hurt in the air.”

Unknown author, but I guess we will worry about the landing later.

#1 “Skiing is the best way in the world to waste time.”

Glen Plake, one of the most recognizable figures in skiing history. It is definitely time well wasted, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it wasting time if you’re doing something you love.

There are so many good quotes out there about skiing and riding that it was nearly impossible to choose our list.

Did we miss any of your favorites? Keep the stoke going and post them in the comments below. Until then, keep the skis tuned, the snow reports bookmarked, and the stoke alive.