Fear on the mountain is real — and it’s reshaping how women engage with winter sports.
I admit it, when I clipped into my binding for the first time this season I was nervous. The offseason always bangs up my confidence. I was heading out on crowded slopes and skiing with more competent skiers (my family). I did a bit of stretching to feel connected to my body and gave myself a pep talk and off I went. I had a great afternoon and there are zero regrets. But I want you all to know, I feel it too. In the latest episode of the Ski Moms Podcast, we dive into the emotional terrain that often gets overlooked in conversations about skiing: fear, anxiety, and confidence loss — particularly among women and mothers. The episode features a powerful conversation with Dr. Carol Porter, a seasoned Snowsport England coach and pedagogy expert, and Kimberley Kay, author of Ski A to Z and a vocal advocate for women in snow sports.
Their collaboration on The Fear Project has revealed something striking:
👉 62% of women say fear or anxiety impacts their enjoyment of skiing.
And for moms? The numbers are even more sobering.
Credit: Kimberly KayWhy Are Women Feeling More Fear on the Slopes?
Between the pressure to manage logistics, the mental load of parenting, and real concerns about injury, many women are hitting the slopes with more apprehension than adrenaline. “Suddenly having responsibility for more people who don’t have the same awareness of what could go wrong…” Dr. Porter shares, “you start to think differently about risk.”
Fear doesn’t just affect performance — it limits participation. As U.S. women’s ski participation dips below 40%, the ski industry is waking up to a reality that moms have felt for years: there’s more than gear keeping women off the mountain.
Read more about the report here
Rebuilding Confidence — One Breath at a Time
“No one can learn when they’re scared,” Dr. Porter explains. But the good news? There are research-backed ways to manage fear and rediscover joy in skiing.
Takeaways from the episode include:
- Intentional breathing techniques to calm nervous energy
- Choosing less crowded resorts to reduce sensory overload
- Working with mindset coaches to shift limiting beliefs
- Understanding the psychological link between fear and excitement
As Kimberley Kay puts it, “The physical responses we feel when we’re afraid are the same as when we’re excited — it’s just whether our brain interprets the experience as positive or negative.”
Changing the Culture of Skiing for Women
Both guests are actively working to make ski culture safer, more inclusive, and more responsive to women’s needs. From presenting at the inaugural World Women’s Snow Sports Summit to launching visual safety campaigns, they’re pushing the industry toward meaningful change.
This episode isn’t just for moms who’ve lost their nerve — it’s for anyone who’s ever felt their confidence waver on a run and wondered, “Is it just me?” (Spoiler: it’s not.)
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
Tap below to hear the full conversation and explore resources that can help you ski with more confidence this season.
[Embed Ski Moms Podcast episode]
Want to Build Confidence on the Slopes?
Whether you’re looking to overcome fear, improve technique, or simply carve out time for yourself, skill-building is key to feeling stronger and more empowered on skis.
Explore these hand-picked guides to women’s ski camps and clinics designed to support learning in a supportive, low-pressure environment:
- 2025–26 Women’s Ski Camps and Clinics – Find alpine-focused programs tailored for every level, from beginners to advanced skiers.
- Cross-Country Skiing Camps and Clinics for Women – Discover Nordic-focused retreats perfect for building endurance and connection in nature.
Because the more tools you have — on the mountain and in your mindset — the more joy you’ll find in every run.
The post Why Fear Is Holding Women Back on the Slopes — And How to Reclaim the Joy of Skiing appeared first on Mom Trends.
