By Juli Fyfe, BSc, MA, Registered Psychotherapist and CSIA Level 2 ski instructor
Juli Fyfe has been skiing for 54 years, a ski instructor for more than 42 years and is a registered psychotherapist working in Ontario. She instructs at Hidden Valley Highlands in Huntsville Ontario.
Mental Health Benefits of Downhill Skiing: A Personal Journey of Body, Mind, and Family
Growing up, skiing was more than just a sport—it was a way of life. My childhood memories are filled with mornings spent racing down the slopes, afternoon lunches and hot cocoa in the ski chalet, and evenings sharing stories with friends and family about the day’s adventures. I’ve been fortunate to see the world through the lens of skiing, not only as an athlete but also as a ski instructor and, later, as a psychotherapist. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate how skiing benefits not only the body but also the mind—something I now recognize in both my own life and in the lives of the clients I work with.
Skiing provides a unique combination of physical exertion, connection to nature, and social bonding, all of which promote mental wellness. Through my experiences as both a skier and an instructor, I’ve seen firsthand how skiing can be a powerful tool for improving mental health, and how it impacts not only individual well-being but also family dynamics.
Here’s a more personal exploration of how downhill skiing nurtures mental wellness—from the joy of physical movement to the profound connections formed while skiing together.