It’s hard to believe that another ski racing season is coming to an end. It’s time to hang up your skis and take your mind off ski racing for a while. But if you’re about to become a high school graduate, the end of the ski season may not offer an immediate respite from our sport. Why? Because you may be faced with a very difficult decision: Should I take a PG year to focus on my ski racing to see if I have more speed in me next season or should I go to college?
These days, this question is far more complicated than when, as a 17-year-old Burke Mountain Academy graduate many years ago, I asked myself the same question (I’ll tell you what my answer was at the end of this article). Places on NCAA ski teams—particularly at programs with scholarships—are rare and coveted these days and often filled by international athletes. They are often older and more mature (physically and psychologically), just off their national teams, and possessing sub-30-point FIS profiles. Competing in the USCSA is certainly a great option, but it is almost never the first choice for any young ski racer who aspires to be the best.
The tension that this question triggers is often fraught with dreams and reality, finances, parental perspectives, peer pressure, and cultural norms. What makes this question even more difficult is that there is no guarantee that your PG year will pay off with a spot on an NCAA roster. Because I’ve been through this process personally and have worked with many young racers to help them answer this question for themselves, I often get calls from parents this time of year asking for help determining the best choice for their ski racers.
After a recent such conversation, I thought the topic was worth writing about and sharing my perspectives and insights that might help the racers to answer this question, which has no easy, definitive answer.
The Case for a PG Year
A PG year is, at its core, an extension of development— not just physically, but technically, psychologically and emotionally.
Many high school seniors are still improving. Alpine skiing is often a late-developing sport. Strength, tactical awareness, and consistency often continue to evolve into the early 20s and beyond. A PG year provides additional time for that growth. For athletes who feel they haven’t yet reached their ceiling, this matters.
There’s also the issue of unfinished business. Some athletes sense that they haven’t yet produced the results they’re capable of. Whether due to injury, inconsistency, or late development, a PG year offers another opportunity to align performance with potential. That desire—to avoid long-term regret—can be a legitimate driver.
From a pragmatic standpoint, a PG year can expand college opportunities. Stronger results, improved rankings, and increased visibility can open doors that were previously closed, particularly at the NCAA level. For athletes targeting those programs, this extra year can be the difference between marginal recruitment, meaningful interest, and actually skiing at that level.
Equally important is readiness. College athletics—especially at the NCAA level—demands more than physical skill. It requires emotional maturity, independence and resilience. A PG year often allows athletes to mature psychologically before entering that intense environment. Those who arrive more prepared tend to adapt faster and perform better.
Finally, it’s worth noting that this is a common path in ski racing. You are not stepping outside the norm. Many athletes take a PG year because they are not yet ready to close the chapter on competitive skiing.
The Case Against a PG Year
The drawbacks are real and should not be minimized.
First, you are delaying college by a year. In practical terms, this means entering the workforce one year later. For most athletes, this is not a meaningful long-term disadvantage, but it is a consideration.
More relevant are the daily realities. A PG year can be isolating and lonely. While peers move on to college, you remain in a transitional space. That can create a sense of being out of sync socially.
There is also a psychological cost. When skiing becomes your sole focus, the pressure increases. The implicit expectation is that the PG year must “pay off”—in results, rankings, or recruitment. That pressure can undermine performance, particularly for athletes already prone to outcome-based thinking.
Additionally, the intellectual environment may be limited. Compared to college, a PG year often lacks academic stimulation. For athletes who value intellectual engagement and ongoing learning, this can become dissatisfying over time (though it can be addressed in a meaningful way).
Finally, there is the subtle but persistent feeling of being left behind.
The Case for Going Straight to College
Choosing college represents a shift in priorities. For some athletes, this is appropriate. They recognize that ski racing, while meaningful, is no longer the central focus of their identity or long-term goals. College offers a broader platform: academic development, career preparation and personal growth.
This does not mean abandoning skiing entirely. Many athletes continue to race at the club level, where the environment is competitive but less all-consuming. This allows them to maintain a connection to the sport without the full demands of elite competition.
There is also value in momentum. Transitioning directly into college keeps you aligned with your peer group and avoids the disruption of a transitional year. Social integration, academic progression, and identity development all move forward without delay.
For athletes who feel mentally fatigued or burned out, college can provide a necessary reset. A diversified environment—with academics, social life, and varied activities—can restore balance.
The Case Against Going Straight to College
The primary cost is lost opportunity. If you step away from the elite ski racing pipeline at this stage, returning is unlikely; for most, the dream ends there. Many NCAA programs are not typically accessible after that decision. For athletes with the ability—and desire—to compete at that level, this is a significant tradeoff.
Regret is a real risk—not hypothetical but deeply felt. Athletes who leave the sport too early often wonder what might have happened with one more year of focused development. That question can persist for years.
There is also the issue of timing. Many high school senior racers make this decision at the end of a long, demanding season. Physical fatigue, mental exhaustion, and emotional depletion can distort judgment. Choosing college in that state may reflect exhaustion rather than a true shift in priorities.
Timing the Decision
One of the most common mistakes is making the decision too quickly.
At the end of the season, you are not operating from a neutral baseline. You are tired and possibly burned out. Your perspective is narrowed by recent experiences—good or bad.
A more effective approach is to delay the decision for as long as realistically possible. Allow for recovery—physically and mentally. Step away from the daily grind of training and competition. As your energy returns, your clarity improves.
Use that time to gather information. Speak with coaches, current college athletes, and those who have taken PG years. Understand the realities of both paths—not just the highlights.
A Final Perspective
It is essential to recognize that this is a highly individual decision. Both options can lead to excellent outcomes, and both will have their degree of uncertainty. A PG year can extend your athletic development and open doors in ski racing. College can broaden your life trajectory and provide new forms of growth.
The decision should align with your current priorities, not external expectations. Are you still driven to see how far you can go in skiing? Or are you ready to expand your focus beyond the sport?
There is no universally optimal choice—only the choice that best fits where you are right now.
If you approach the decision with patience, self-awareness, and a clear understanding of the tradeoffs, you will make a sound one.
And importantly, remember that you are not closing off a good life with either path. You are choosing between two different versions of a good life.
Finally, as a very young senior (psychologically, emotionally, and physically), I chose to take a PG year after graduating from Burke Mountain Academy. In fact, I took two PG years before enrolling at Middlebury. I matured significantly in all aspects of my development. I had my breakthrough years as a racer, and upon enrolling at Middlebury, I was fortunate to have a fun, successful, and rewarding time skiing for the Panthers. The icing on the cake for me was discovering psychology at Middlebury, which has been the center of my life since.
About the Author: Dr. Jim Taylor
