A Different Kind of Getaway

There’s something beautifully contradictory about my winter ski vacations: they are both a break from my daily grind and a powerful reconnection to my inner athlete.

As a full-time professional who once thrived in high school and collegiate athletics, I’ve kept the competitive flame alive through triathlons, tennis, U.S. Masters Swimming, golf, and more. 

Skiing, however - especially as a destination sport - is something special. It’s not just about sport or scenery. It’s about resetting my rhythm, renewing my energy, and spending time with a community that values challenge and play, in equal measure.

I’m Not an Expert - And That’s Okay

I’ll be the first to admit: I’m not an advanced skier. I usually kick off my trips with a half-day at ski school and a quick study session with some YouTube videos. But my overall fitness - thanks to years of cross-training and conditioning, gives me the confidence to enjoy the mountain, even if it’s just a few runs at a time.

There are only a few months a year when skiing is accessible from where I live, but the effort to get on the slopes is always worth it. Every trip is an investment in my health, happiness, and curiosity.

More Than a Sport - It’s a Lifestyle Retreat

One of the best parts about destination skiing is how we do it. My group of friends; all professionals with busy lives, plan ahead and rent a spacious home or lodge that supports the way we want to live: athletically, comfortably, and communally.

The kitchen becomes the heart of our downtime. We take turns making our favorite gourmet meals after hours on the mountain - sometimes with a glass of wine in hand, always with laughter in the background. We prioritize homes with room for stretching, foam rolling, and relaxing. It’s a rhythm that feels restorative: ski, recover, eat, connect, repeat.

The Magic of the Mountain

What draws me back to skiing every year isn’t just the sport - it’s the atmosphere. Ski villages glow with a kind of warmth you only find in the winter. Lights twinkle. The air is crisp. Strangers share lifts and stories. There’s a quiet romance that floats through the snow-covered streets, especially during the holidays.

After a year of city meetings, business travel, and high-intensity everything, these trips offer something slower, softer, and more soul-filling.

A Winter Goal That Shapes My Whole Year

Here’s something that might surprise you: my winter ski vacation shapes how I live the rest of the year.

Knowing that I’ll be skiing in a few months keeps me intentional about fitness and nutrition during the warmer seasons. It’s easier to make healthy choices in the summer when I’m training for something that excites me. Skiing may not be the sport I practice most often, but it’s the one that inspires a cascade of better habits and mindset shifts.

Final Thoughts

At 45, I’m proud of how my relationship with sport has evolved. I don’t need to be the fastest or the strongest - I just need to keep showing up. Skiing gives me a reason to show up. It challenges me, connects me, and reminds me of what I love about being in motion.

So, when winter rolls around, you’ll find me on the mountain - not just for the slopes, but for everything that comes with them: the community, the recovery, the celebration, and the joy of carving out time to move and be well.

By LauRyn A. Williams, MBA, MSF, CFP®; a 45-Year-Old Athlete, Executive, and Lifelong Competitor.