The Fear Project: Understanding and Overcoming Ski Anxiety for Moms

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we tackle a topic that's been the elephant in the room of the ski world: fear. We sit down with Dr. Carol Porter, a Snowsport England coach with 20 years of experience and a PhD in pedagogical philosophies, and Kimberley Kay, author of the beloved "Ski A to Z" book and advocate for women in snow sports.Together, they reveal findings from their Fear Project research study that surveyed women globally about anxiety and fear in skiing. The results are eye-opening: 62% of women report that fear or anxiety affects their enjoyment when skiing, with mothers experiencing the highest levels of fear. The conversation explores why women's participation in skiing is dropping below 40% in the US, the unique fears mothers face on the slopes, and practical, research-backed strategies for rebuilding confidence after injury or setbacks.From breathing techniques to choosing quieter resorts to working with mindset coaches, Carol and Kimberley offer actionable advice for any ski mom who's lost her nerve or joy on the mountain. They also share exciting news about their presentation at the inaugural World Women's Snow Sports Summit and their ongoing work to make the ski industry more responsive to women's needs through visual safety education and industry advocacy.ResourcesWebsite: Kimberley Kay  Website: Dr Carol Porter: https://jeaniusski.com/ski-fearless/"Suddenly having responsibility for more people who don't have the same awareness of what could go wrong, and then knowing that if anything happens to me, well, who's gonna get them to school?" — Dr. Carol Porter"No one can learn when they're scared. It's just not possible." — Dr. Carol Porter"I'm a great advocate of breathing. Just take time and breathe intentionally and deeply and just feel the coldness of the air as it goes in." — Dr. Carol Porter"The physical responses we feel when we feel afraid are the same as when we feel excited. But it's just whether our brain thinks it's a positive experience or whether it thinks it's a negative experience." — Kimberley KayStop by Salem, Woburn, or Framingham, and head to skihaus.com to check store hours and get exact locations. Find your perfect family-friendly mountain stay—or list your own! 👉 Browse or list at Ski Mom Family Rentals Register by August 15, 2026, and use code SKIMOMSRETREAT to save $100 on your trip.Visit www.theskimoms.co/events to see the 2027 lineup and reserve your spot. Get the best gear recommendations and trip-planning tips directly to your inbox. Head to skimom.substack.com to subscribe. Join for free—or upgrade for all the premium perks. Premium subscriptions start at just $5 a month and get to listen ad-free and unlock exclusive content, including insider travel guides, packing lists and more. Support the showKeep up with the Latest from the Ski Moms!Website: www.theskimoms.coSki Moms Discount Page: https://www.theskimoms.co/discountsSki Moms Ski Rental HomesJoin the 13,000+ Ski Moms Facebook GroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskimoms/Send us an email and let us know what guests and topics you’d like to hear next! [email protected]@skimomsfun.com