Chasing Light: How Pro Skiers Find Balance When the Skies Turn Grey
By Bryan Serrano, Spyder Editorial Team
The alarm goes off at 5:30 AM in a dimly lit hotel room in Zurich. For Mac Forehand, this isn’t just another travel day; it’s the start of a grueling three-week competition block. The windows are dark. The air is biting. And the pressure to perform is mounting.
For fans watching the X Games broadcast, the life of a professional freeskier looks like an endless highlight reel of bluebird days and champagne showers. But behind the goggles, athletes face a reality that millions of Americans know all too well: the silent, heavy weight of winter depression.
“People assume that because we are on the mountain, we are immune to the winter blues,” says Forehand, a Spyder athlete and X Games Gold Medalist. “But when you’re chasing winter around the globe, sometimes the sun feels like it’s setting before you’ve even started. You have to fight to keep your mental space bright.”
The Science of the Slopes
This year, Spyder is peeling back the curtain on the mental game of skiing. It’s no longer just about the “Science of Speed”—the aerodynamics of a downhill suit or the waterproofing of a shell. It is about the “Science of Optimized Performance,” which recognizes that a healthy mind is the most critical piece of equipment an athlete owns.
The data backs this up. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects millions annually, particularly in January when daylight is scarce. The symptoms—fatigue, social withdrawal, and hopelessness—can derail a recreational skier just as easily as an Olympian.
However, the antidote often lies in the environment itself. Dr. Elena Russo, a sports psychologist who works with winter athletes, notes that the combination of physical exertion and natural light exposure is potent. “Skiing is unique because it forces you to engage with the elements,” Russo explains. “Even on an overcast day, the UV exposure on a mountain is significantly higher than at sea level. That light hits the retina, triggers serotonin production, and acts as a natural antidepressant.”
“This initiative is about going beyond apparel; it’s about fostering a healthy and positive mindset for everyone to enjoy the winter season.”
— Mac Forehand
More Than Just a Run
For Giulia Tanno, a Swiss freestyler and Spyder team member, the mountain has evolved from a competition venue into a sanctuary. After a knee injury sidelined her during the 2022 season, Tanno found herself battling the isolation that often accompanies recovery during the dark winter months.
“I realized that I missed the skiing, sure, but what I really missed was the community,” Tanno reflects. “There is something about the shared experience of the cold—riding the lift with friends, the sound of snow under your skis—that grounds you. When I couldn’t do that, the winter felt twice as long.”
This realization is the heartbeat of Spyder’s latest campaign, which culminates in the “Anti-SAD Snow Day” at Echo Mountain. The goal isn’t to sell jackets; it’s to sell the idea that winter doesn’t have to be a time of hibernation.
Equipping the Mind
The shift in conversation represents a new era for Spyder. Founded in 1978 by David Jacobs, the brand has spent decades obsessed with outer protection—GORE-TEX membranes, PrimaLoft insulation, and chaotic weather defense . Today, the brand acknowledges that warmth isn’t just physical.
“We build gear that protects you from the harshest elements,” says Nick Adcock, CEO of Spyder. “But we also want to provide the tools to protect your well-being. If a jacket gives you the confidence to get out the door when it’s 10 degrees and cloudy, then that jacket is a mental health tool.”
The connection between gear and mindset is tangible. When you are cold and wet, your motivation plummets. When you are dry, warm, and mobile, the barrier to entry lowers. Spyder’s HydroWEB technology and four-way stretch fabrics remove the physical discomforts that often serve as excuses to stay on the couch.