Whether you’re dropping into your first black diamond or chasing a new personal best, what happens in your head matters as much as what happens on your skis or board. Dr. Chrissy Semler, a Mental Performance Specialist, joins the Inspiration Stage at Snowbound Expo to talk about exactly that. We asked her about three common myths to get her take on what drives performance in Snowsports:
Myth 1: Visualizing your next run is just daydreaming
Standing at the top of a steep pitch, picturing every turn before you drop in? That’s not daydreaming. It’s a form of training. Mentally simulating an action can activate the same motor preparation pathways as physical practice.
Research shows mental rehearsal measurably improves performance. A 2020 meta-analysis pulling together decades of studies found that practicing a skill in your head leads to real gains, and it works best when you already have some time on snow to build on.
Myth 2: Confidence is 90% of performance
We’ve all seen it: someone who’s “got this” points their skis straight down a run that’s way above their skill level. Confidence without the skill to back it up isn’t a strength on the mountain. It’s a risk.
Research shows confidence matters, but it’s one piece of the puzzle. A major meta-analysis of 48 studies found a real link between confidence and performance, but nowhere near 90%. A little self-doubt can even help, because it keeps you focused and locked in for safety.
The goal isn’t maximum confidence. It’s the right confidence:
- Built on practice and real time on snow, not wishful thinking
- Honest about where your skills are today
- Willing to progress one step at a time, and not before you are ready
Myth 3: Only elite athletes need a performance coach
Research shows that mental skills like imagery, focus and emotional regulation are highly trainable capabilities, not innate talents reserved for the pros. Whether you’re tackling your first black diamond or chasing a new personal best, the mental game is part of progression.
Hear it live at Snowbound Expo
Find out how to build confidence that matches your skills at Dr. Semler’s session:
Master Your Mental Game: The Psychology of Progression on Snow
Saturday, November 14, 4:30pm (30 minutes)
The Inspiration Stage
About Dr. Chrissy Semler
Dr. Chrissy Semler is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, professor, ultrarunner and coach. She specializes in both clinical mental health and sport and performance psychology, working with athletes from youth to elite levels to build meaningful mental health and performance skills. She is listed on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s Mental Health and Sport Psychology Registries and frequently presents on clinical mental health and sport psychology within athletic populations.
Sources: Toth et al. (2020), Psychology of Sport and Exercise; Simonsmeier et al. (2021), Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology; Woodman & Hardy (2003), Journal of Sports Sciences; Woodman et al. (2010), Psychology of Sport and Exercise; Reinebo et al. (2024), systematic review and meta-analysis; Lange-Smith et al. (2023), International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology.