September Fucking Rules

There is something about September.

Maybe it’s completely psychological, but the second the calendar flips from August to September, it feels like fall.

The mornings get cooler. You start grabbing a sweatshirt at night. The light changes. The leaves start thinking about turning. You put jeans on for the first time in months, and somehow you're actually excited about it.

And if you ski or snowboard, there’s another feeling that starts creeping in.

Winter is coming.

Not tomorrow. Not even particularly soon. But close enough that you can start thinking about it without feeling completely insane.

The first dusting of snow hits the peaks.

Ski movies start dropping.

Someone sends the first “I heard it’s supposed to be a huge winter” text to the group chat based on a weather prediction of extremely questionable scientific merit.

New skis and boards start showing up in shops. You start thinking about your kit. Trips get thrown around. Someone mentions Japan. Someone else starts looking at flights.

The anticipation begins.

And anticipation might be half the fun.

But here's the thing: September itself is fucking fun.

The trails are still dry. Mountain biking is prime. Hiking gets better when you're not baking in the sun. The leaves start going off. Mornings are cold, afternoons are warm, patios are still very much in play.

There are fall festivals, concerts, road trips, bonfires and those last few weekends where summer and fall seem to overlap.

You can ride your bike all afternoon while staring at a mountain that might have snow on it in a month.

It's one of the best crossover seasons there is.

So yes, start getting excited about winter.

Pull the skis out.

Watch the movie.

Buy the new jacket you absolutely do not need.

Start scheming.

But don't wish away September waiting for the lifts to start spinning.

There are four months left in the year.

That is a lot of time to have a lot of fun.

And maybe September is a better time than January to think about what you actually want the rest of your year to look like.

Not resolutions. Not goals you feel obligated to accomplish.

Just:

• What sounds fucking fun?

• What do you want to do before the end of the year?

• Who do you want to do it with?

• What's something you've been saying you want to try?

• What do you want your ski or snowboard season to actually feel like this year?

• Where do you want to go?

• What's your why for getting out there in the first place?

• And what are you ridiculously excited about right now?

Write it down. Put something on the calendar. Text the group chat. Book the trip. Or don't plan any of it and leave some room for whatever comes.

Winter will get here.

For now, put on the flannel, grab your bike, go look at some leaves, and start getting excited.

September fucking rules.