Ups and Downs: Mental health and skiing
DREW PETERSEN ON NAVIGATING THE MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS OF MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH SKIING: A video by Salomon
Behind closed doors, professional skier Drew Petersen has been living a much different reality than ski films, magazine covers and Instagram likes have shown.
Following a near-death accident in the mountains, Petersen went into a dark tailspin of mental health struggles. In the following years, he has privately navigated an arduous journey of PTSD, bipolar disorder, brain injury rehabilitation and suicidal thoughts.
Told through the lens of ski touring, ‘Ups and Downs’ is an introspective look at the mountains and valleys along his path, and how his mental health journey is ultimately lifelong – both from well before Petersen’s accident and for the rest of his life moving forward.
His story is truly one of finding the light, healing both in the mountains and in therapy, and how giving voice to his struggles ultimately saved him.
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support, you can find resources here
Credits:
- Starring Drew Petersen
- In association with Sweetgrass Productions
- Directed by Michael James Brown and Drew Petersen
- Produced by Drew Petersen
- Cinematography by Michael James Brown, Bobby Jahrig, and Adam Clark
- Edited by Michael James Brown and Margaret King
- Color by Theo Muse
- Sound by Avery Sandack
- Music: The Dead Tongues – “Road to Heaven” Tom Rosenthal – “To You Alone” Gregory Alan Isakov – “San Luis”