Why Ski Racers Train Fast—but Struggle on Race Day (And How Coaches Can Help)
Ski racers often ski fast in training but struggle on race day. Here’s why—and how coaches can build environments that translate speed into results.
Second Runs Are a Different Sport: How to Reset, Refocus, and Attack
Second runs demand a different mindset than first runs. Dr. Jim Taylor explains how racers can reset emotionally, simplify focus, and attack with confidence under pressure.
Be Your Ski-Racing Child’s Wings, Not Their Weight Vest
Parents play a powerful role in a young ski racer’s mental game. Dr. Jim Taylor explains how subtle pressure — even when unintended — can increase anxiety and hurt performance, and how parents can instead create emotional safety that helps racers thrive.
Win the Mental Race: Why Ski Racing Is Three Races, Not One
Most racers think they’re competing against the field. They’re not. They’re competing in three races — against competitors, conditions and themselves. Dr. Jim Taylor explains why winning the mental race is the key to performing at the limit.
Training vs. Racing: Why Ski Racers Lose Speed When It Matters Most
Why do ski racers feel fast in training but slow on race day? Sports psychologist Dr. Jim Taylor explains how pressure changes the brain — and how racers can train their minds to perform when it counts.
Race-Day Readiness: Why Mental Preparation Completes the Package
Race-day readiness goes beyond training and equipment. Mental preparation completes the package—and determines how preparation shows up when pressure is highest.
Why Early Races Don’t Define Your Ski Racing Season
Early races bring emotion, pressure, and fast judgments. But the best ski racers know early results don’t define a season—responses do.
What Every Parent Should Know About Ski Racing
Ski racing brings excitement, pressure, and emotion for families at every level. This article outlines what parents need to know to support racers in a healthy, productive way—on good days and bad.
The Courage to Charge: Why Winning in Ski Racing Requires Risk
Winning at the highest level of ski racing isn’t about playing it safe. Dr. Jim Taylor breaks down why courage, commitment, and smart risk-taking separate champions from those who finish “almost there.” This piece explores the decision-points that define races — and how athletes can train the mindset to charge with confidence.
Why Ski Racers Plateau — And How to Break Through
Ski racers at every level hit performance plateaus. Dr. Jim Taylor explains why progress stalls and how athletes can break through with better mindset, risk, and training habits.
Skiing Fast Is an Acquired Skill / How Racers Learn to Handle Speed
Every racer can learn to ski faster. Here’s how athletes train the ability to handle more speed with confidence and commitment across all alpine disciplines.
Good Skiing vs. Fast Skiing
You can ski beautifully and still be slow. Dr. Jim Taylor explains why mastering the difference between “good skiing” and “fast skiing” is the key to breaking through performance plateaus and finding real race speed.
How Athletes Can Train Mental Strength in the Gym
You don’t have to wait until winter to train your mind for ski racing. In this article, performance psychologist Dr. Jim Taylor explains how athletes can build focus, confidence, and mental toughness in the gym—rep by rep—just like they build strength and endurance.
6 Keys to Elevating Mental Training in Ski Racing
Mental training is often overlooked in ski racing, despite being just as important as physical conditioning and technical work. This article breaks down six key principles—used in every successful training plan—that can transform your mental preparation into a consistent, structured, and effective part of your performance.
Ski Racing Season Finale: Strategies to End on a High Note
With just a month left in the season, how you approach these final races can define your winter. Whether you’re riding the momentum of a breakout year, looking to turn a decent season into a great one, or trying to salvage a disappointing campaign, now is the time to push your limits. Will you play it safe or go all in? Click to find out how to finish strong and make the most of every remaining race.
How to Ski Your Fastest: Conquer Regret and Embrace Risk
Ski racing demands more than technical skills—it calls for an attitude that embraces risk and shuns regret. I have worked with racers from juniors to World Cuppers and consistently see that those who commit fully, even in the face of uncertainty, avoid the lasting sting of regret that comes from playing it safe.
Why Disappointment Helps Young Athletes: Building Resilience in Ski Racing and Beyond
Disappointment feels tough, but it’s a powerful tool for growth. Young athletes who learn to handle setbacks build resilience, motivation, and confidence. Discover why disappointment is essential for ski racers and how parents can help their children turn failure into future success.
Master the 7 Fs of Ski Racing: Tips to Finish Your Season Strong
To ski your fastest, embrace the seven Fs: Free your mind from clutter, Focus on what you can control, and trust your Feelings over overthinking. When challenges arise, Fight rather than retreat, and adopt an F&%# it! attitude to release pressure. Most importantly, rediscover the Fun that brought you to the sport—because when you do, you’ll be Fast.
Coping with Tragic Loss in Ski Racing
Our ski racing family mourns the loss of another family member with profound sadness, 19-year-old Matilde Lorenzi, a rising star from Italy, who sustained injuries from a training accident. This article expands on ways to come together as a community to grieve and move through difficult conversations.
When Your Child Leaves Ski Racing: A Parent’s Guide to Letting Go
Jim Taylor gives advice to parent's when their kids decide to leave the sport of ski racing. Learn more.
With Prep-season Training, You Pay Now or Pay Later
Though getting the miles on snow is very important, a key focus during the prep season should be building your fitness, which is the foundation for all your other ski racing efforts. Because ski racing has evolved into a power sport in the last few decades, you’ll need the necessary strength, agility, and stamina to achieve your goals, no matter how good you are technically, tactically, or mentally.
Start Your Prep-period Mental Training Program NOW!!
Every winter, in December, January, and February, I get calls from national team athletes and parents of young racers struggling mentally in their ski racing with big races coming up. They want me to fix them somehow quickly. Though I think I’m pretty good at what I do, I’m no miracle worker!
13 Vital Questions for Post-Season Reflection and Off-Season Prep
After a long and demanding winter, the 2023-24 race season is over. You’ve had some downtime to catch up on school and get some much-needed rest and recovery, both physically and mentally. You may also be already looking toward next winter. But before you file the 2023-24 race season away, you want to act on a famous saying, “Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it.” In other words, if you don’t reflect on last season, you may miss out on some essential lessons you can use for next season to continue progressing toward your ski racing goals.
Unraveling the Epidemic of World Cup Injuries: Insights and Trends
The frequency of these season-ending injuries is alarming for the racers and the many fans of the White Circus, who missed seeing their heroes demonstrate power, agility, and courage as they hurtle down the mountains at high speeds.
