Skating in the Cold: How to Stay Motivated When It’s Freezing
Winter sucks for skaters. Icy sidewalks, freezing winds, and spots covered in snow or sludge—it’s enough to make you consider hibernation. But just because the weather’s cold doesn’t mean your skate game has to freeze. With the right mindset and a few creative tricks, you can keep rolling through the winter and come out stronger on the other side.
Here’s how to stay motivated when it’s ridiculously cold outside:
1. Gear Up for the Cold
Pro Tip: Skating in the cold is better with proper shoes. Opt for thicker, weather-resistant skate shoes if possible, or double up on socks.
2. Find Indoor Spots
Winter is the time to hunt for indoor parks or DIY garages. Sure, you’ll miss the fresh air, but staying warm and dry beats frostbite. Check out your local skate scene for covered spots, warehouses, or even gymnasiums hosting winter skate sessions.
Pro Tip: Got no indoor options? Seek out parking garages—they’re not warm, but they’re dry and perfect for flatground practice.
3. Adjust Your Sessions
Winter skating doesn’t have to be an all-day event. Shorter, focused sessions are your ticket to staying motivated. Pick a few tricks to practice or work on a single line. You’ll stay productive without freezing your ass off.
Pro Tip: Warm up before you start. Do some jumping jacks, stretch, or cruise around for a few minutes to get your blood pumping.
4. Invest in a Winter Setup
Snow and slush can wreck your board. Consider setting up an old deck with slightly harder wheels to handle rough surfaces. If your board gets wet, make sure to dry it immediately to avoid soggy wood and rusted bearings.
Pro Tip: Keep your winter board separate from your main setup, so you don’t stress about the wear and tear.
5. Stay Connected with Your Crew
It’s easy to lose motivation when you’re skating solo in the cold. Hit up your friends and plan winter skate missions. Even a quick session at a sketchy spot can feel legendary with the right crew hyping you up.
Pro Tip: Turn winter into a creative challenge—film clips, make edits, or just try weird tricks you wouldn’t normally attempt.
6. Set Goals for the Season
Winter is the perfect time to focus on specific goals. Want to land a clean kickflip? Perfect your manuals? Take advantage of the slower pace to refine your basics or tackle those elusive tricks.
Pro Tip: Write down a trick list for the winter months. Crossing off tricks as you progress feels insanely satisfying.
7. Cross-Train to Stay Strong
Skating in winter is tough on your body. Add some off-the-board training to stay sharp. Strengthen your legs, work on your balance, and stretch to stay flexible. It might not feel like skating, but it’ll pay off big when spring rolls around.
Pro Tip: Try activities like snowboarding, yoga, or even hitting the gym to keep your stamina up.
8. Embrace the Suck
Let’s be real: winter skating isn’t always fun. But pushing through the suck builds mental toughness. When you land tricks in freezing weather or session a spot while everyone else is home, you’ll feel unstoppable.
Pro Tip: Celebrate small wins. Land a trick? Survive a gnarly day? Treat yourself with hot chocolate or your favorite post-session snack.
9. Watch Skate Videos
When it’s too cold to skate, fuel your stoke by watching legendary skate videos. Seeing pros shred in all conditions (sometimes with snow in the background!) can inspire you to brave the chill. For example, check out the new DOSE video, The Ultimate Skaters’ Survival Guide to Winter, featuring our Berlin crew.
Pro Tip: Try watching winter skate edits for some relatable content. If they can do it, so can you.
10. Remember Why You Skate
At the end of the day, skating is about passion. Whether it’s freezing or perfect weather, the board under your feet is the constant. Remind yourself of the joy it brings, and use that to push through the cold.
Pro Tip: Keep your board visible—lean it against the wall, hang it up—so you’re always reminded to grab it and go.
Final Thoughts
Winter doesn’t have to kill your skate vibe. With the right mindset, gear, and some creativity, you can keep rolling through the cold months and set yourself up for an epic spring. So bundle up, embrace the grind, and let the winter sessions shape your style and resilience.
Now get out there and show winter who’s boss.
