The mountain just announced last week that opening day is delayed. The fall looked promising — crisp early snow, frosty mornings — but warmer temperatures had other ideas. Even though we’ve been down this road before and we know skiing will happen, it still stings.


Since the delay dropped, I’ve been thinking about how we cope when plans shift. Some changes barely ripple the day; others can shake our momentum. And while this “only” pushes the ski season by a week, it’s a small test of our ability to pivot — a skill that serves us well when life throws bigger curveballs.

Here are a few ways you can use this unexpected pause — both on the mountain and off — to stay grounded, prepared, and resilient.


I use these same strategies in my practice when patients come in with a knee injury. When something suddenly changes — pain, mobility, plans, expectations — we talk about how to pivot, how to work with the situation instead of feeling stuck in it. Ski season delays are a small version of that same skill: shifting with intention so you come out stronger on the other side.

Occupy the Gap with Something That Serves You

When one plan falls through, don’t let the pause become a hole. Instead, turn it into useful time. Maybe add a little extra strength work, mobility flows, or conditioning — simple moves that your body (and knees) will thank you for once the season hits full swing.


Do One More Gear Sweep

Take this extra week to double-check EVERYTHING. Give your helmet a once-over. Make sure skis are tuned and bindings set. Inspect your boots. Little details make a big difference — when the snow arrives, you want to hit the hill with confidence, not questions.


Reframe the Delay as Opportunity

Delays happen — in travel, training, or life. Instead of seeing this as a disappointment, consider it a gift of time. A chance to catch up. To prepare better. To rest. Changing how you view setbacks can help you cope the next time things don’t go as planned.


Get Outside Anyway — Snow or No Snow

The mountain may not be open, but that doesn’t mean your outdoor time needs to shrink. Head up to Nickel Plate, go for a snowshoe, or take a winter hike. Fresh air, movement, and natural rhythm reset your head, keep motivation alive, and remind you why you love winter in the first place.

As for me - I think I will head out with the dogs for a ski tour….


 If this delay is nudging you to think about how your joints will hold up when the season begins, you might find value in something I created last off-season:


👉 Join the 14-Day Joint Health Reboot Challenge to build strength, mobility, and resilience before the snow hits — so when those first tracks drop, you’re not just ready, you're primed.


Click on here for the Joint Health Reboot