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What do you think about when skiing / boarding ?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
We were having this conversation a few days ago after a morning of piste skiing, as conditions off-piste have been a big fat "Non".

Obviously, it's different for everyone, though most of our team did say that they continually think about how they are skiing, and after yesterday's brush with avalanche debris when skiing off-piste one does not tend to think so much about technique but potential obstacles and where to make the next turn Laughing

OH wrote a quick blog on the subject
https://stylealtitude.com/what-do-you-think-about-when-you-are-skiing.html
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Leaving a perfect pencil-line on the next turn.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
I go skiing (and all other gravity/flow sports) to not think!
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Any combination of something, nothing and 110% concentration to instinctive personal preservation/WTF did I just do to get out of that?

Don't know how much you know of the concept of 'Flow State' but there is something to the idea of getting the best performance out of yourself by disconnecting the thought part of your brain from the action.

If you really want to go deeper, try reading 'Rise of the Superman' by Steven Kotler (which sounds like some bad superhero fiction, or something REALLY suspect if it was published in 1932 - its neither)
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Sing to myself in time with the turns. ( it’s ok no one can hear me!)
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Usually something really profound long the lines of "please God don't let me crash"
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Either nothing at all, or my technique, or 'bloody hell my kids are so fast I can't hope to keep up'.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Errr not sure really but the next time I'll be sure to think of this thread and report back.
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What @clarky999, @Richard_Sideways, say would be what I aspire to. I'm no where near achieving it; just brief glimpses. Mostly it's "Whaaa! S4it!..."

Or "Is it coffee o'clock yet?"
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
Off piste - where's the best line?

On piste - how do I keep myself safe from these bellends/ naviagte this human slalom?
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I’m with @clarky999, @Richard_Sideways, @adithorp - flow is the goal.

I’ve had excellent lessons with Derek Tate (BASS Chamonix, IASI) who is also very interested in flow from a general sports performance perspective. In fact, I’ve just yesterday ordered his book which about tricks to get into flow state while doing activities (Learn, Enjoy, Flow, and Grow). Looking forward to reading it and seeing whether it helps…
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Weathercam, cant remember off hand, but its not about skiing - that should come naturally Madeye-Smiley Maybe looking around surroundings and potential risks.

Richard_Sideways, pretty much bang on I think.

On a simiiar vein - all those who do think about skiing when they are - do you think about driving when you're driving ? Or do you just do it ?
The same with running, cycling etc.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
... or the "F*** this for a game of soldiers" normally about Day 3...

Quote:

do you think about driving when you're driving


Hmm, interesting. When I'm driving 'normally' no, i'm not thinking about it until something 'occurs' to snap you back into it. If I'm driving competitively, then its more concentration on the course, and the feedback from the car, the seat-of-the-pants sensation and sound but again its concentration at 110% time and being really dialled in.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Bones wrote:
Weathercam, cant remember off hand, but its not about skiing - that should come naturally Madeye-Smiley Maybe looking around surroundings and potential risks.

Richard_Sideways, pretty much bang on I think.

On a simiiar vein - all those who do think about skiing when they are - do you think about driving when you're driving ? Or do you just do it ?
The same with running, cycling etc.


If I'd been on skis for as many hours as I'd been behind the wheel, then I wouldn't be thinking about my technique.

To be fair, I probably don't think much about it. The only 2 things I might think of is 1) if I managed to carve, or did it slip into a skid, or 2) I have a female Scottish voice (Lisa from TSI in Les Gets) in my head telling me to bring my downward/outward leg forward and to bend my knee.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Also a (quietish) singer here. Seems to help breathing and concentration, stops me getting distracted. Tempo and song choice depend on the time of day and difficulty of the run.

Top choices: Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, obvs. Also What the World Needs Now (Dionne Warwick version) on quiet slopes, Blame it on the Boogie for busier ones.

Inspired by a ski instructor in Alpe d'Huez who used to sing This is the Rhythm of the Ski at the top of his voice going down the reds.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Technique
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Something along the lines of: 'woosh, woosh, oh s*it people, woosh, ooo pretty view, woosh, why can't i keep up dammit'

My mind kind if marks every turn with a 'woosh' in a meditation kind of way.

Being a not great skier, the 'oh sh*t' moments multiply as it gets steeper/more icy. My aim is to improve enough for those to be 'woosh' as well. Laughing
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Mainly how to avoid dying. Or looking foolish.

And then have thoughts about technique.

Sometimes about lunch.

If it’s music then it always seems to be the Wallace and Gromit theme. I thank my niece for that.
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Good light hearted post for once Very Happy

"Don't catch an edge at this speed"
"Look at that Ski Jacket.....urrrgghhh"
"I hope I dont ski like that......."
"I hope I do ski like that.........."
"for god sake I need to get past these..."
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I hope my back holds up!

It's fantastic to be here - Mountains; Friends; Mountain restaurants; Evening drink by log fire.

Those turns could be better.

Why do I have to leave, just as I'm starting to ski much better?
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Gaz_H wrote:
Good light hearted post for once Very Happy

"Don't catch an edge at this speed"
"Look at that Ski Jacket.....urrrgghhh"
"I hope I dont ski like that......."
"I hope I do ski like that.........."
"for god sake I need to get past these..."


I'm intrigued as to what might cause this. I normally go "the colour of the jacket is hideous. I want one!".

I'm currently sporting a dayglo yellow jacket and bright blue salopettes.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Re flow and everything, does anyone remember “Inner Skiing”. Massive eighties read, I think “inner Golf” came out first.
When I am skiing, I usually think about the beautiful views - just love those mountain views so much!
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Inboard wrote:

I’ve had excellent lessons with Derek Tate (BASS Chamonix, IASI) who is also very interested in flow from a general sports performance perspective. In fact, I’ve just yesterday ordered his book which about tricks to get into flow state while doing activities (Learn, Enjoy, Flow, and Grow). Looking forward to reading it and seeing whether it helps…


It features quite a lot in our manuals, the idea of flow.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Timmycb5 wrote:
Gaz_H wrote:
Good light hearted post for once Very Happy

"Don't catch an edge at this speed"
"Look at that Ski Jacket.....urrrgghhh"
"I hope I dont ski like that......."
"I hope I do ski like that.........."
"for god sake I need to get past these..."


I'm intrigued as to what might cause this. I normally go "the colour of the jacket is hideous. I want one!".

I'm currently sporting a dayglo yellow jacket and bright blue salopettes.


Haha - I used to have an all-in-one back in the 80’s which was totally day-glo and I must add, highly fashionable back then hahahaha! In recent years, I have enjoyed looking out for “That Jacket” whenever skiing in an area frequented by Brits. It was a men’s ski jacket from Mountain Warehouse which was red, little boxes of different reds pattern, and obviously had been on offer (like most of their products) for about twenty five quid at one point. It could be spotted quite a lot, particularly in Austria, but also France and at one point, I nearly drew up a scorecard for this little game…!!
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Timmycb5 wrote:
Gaz_H wrote:
Good light hearted post for once Very Happy

"Don't catch an edge at this speed"
"Look at that Ski Jacket.....urrrgghhh"
"I hope I dont ski like that......."
"I hope I do ski like that.........."
"for god sake I need to get past these..."


I'm intrigued as to what might cause this. I normally go "the colour of the jacket is hideous. I want one!".

I'm currently sporting a dayglo yellow jacket and bright blue salopettes.


We used to have a Jacket of the week competition - not ours but dodgy ones we spot - Andorra was the style capital by far. BTW - I also sport a Flo Green Jacket and Bright blue Salopettes too
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Timmycb5 wrote:

I'm currently sporting a dayglo yellow jacket and bright blue salopettes.

I went Neon Green in the 80s. Then went Yellow and Black and then Red and Black.....but have now just got some Electric Blue Ski Pants and Miss Fartbagette has also got some Lipstick Pink ones - both from TK Maxx. We need more brightness in our lives at the moment.


Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Tue 11-01-22 11:57; edited 1 time in total
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Dave of the Marmottes wrote:
Off piste - where's the best line?

On piste - how do I keep myself safe from these bellends/ naviagte this human slalom?

This
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Hurtle wrote:
Technique


By New Order?

Great album wink


On the music tip I've discovered that a mix of Good Times and Rapper's Delight (which of course heavily sampled the great Rodgers/Edwards composition) is perfect for most conditions like small bumps or windbuff hunting.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
A little bit about how I'm skiing but mainly that life is good, I love the mountains, don't sweat the small stuff and how godd the first beer or wine will taste that evening
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
I must admit that one of the appeals about skiing is that it's pretty much totally absorbing and really "in the moment".
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I whistle songs quietly in time to the rhythm of the skiing
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
NoStyle - ah….interesting contrasts…for me….

1 chris hadfield - an astronaut’s guide to life
Sweat the small stuff
So I do
Forward pressure, stick length, layers, … makes me very neurotic…

2 the mountains
Yes I love being here
But oh how they have changed because of climate change
And I think about that A LOT (and what I am and should do), remember to watch Juice Media, think about what I should, not just expect others to do


3 beer and wine
Not any more.
Don’t sleep if I have it. And I need my sleep.
Insomniac partner definitely does not help.

UANN
Absolutely.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Years back someone I was skiing with came out with "I wonder what the poor people are doing today?" (might be a quote from somewhere?)

My response was "they're skiing with you today mate!"
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GeorgeVII wrote:
Years back someone I was skiing with came out with "I wonder what the poor people are doing today?" (might be a quote from somewhere?)

My response was "they're skiing with you today mate!"


That tickles me pink Laughing

Apparently it's a phrase used in a self deprecating way in the Southern US by people of simple means who do something extravagant.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Amber Heard.....................when the wife doesn't tell me what to think. wink
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When things get tricky I try to think of ONE crucial thing I need to do (that's often not to drop my uphill hand) but when it's not tricky, which is mostly, given my style of skiing, I try to just stay in the moment and enjoy it. I listen to music a lot - very eclectic mix, but always with rhythm. I suspect that much of the time I ski better if I DON'T think too much about technique - which is usually because I'm well within my comfort zone.

Zen is, as we all know, the art of doing what you're doing. I find the same beneficial impact with sailing - you don't think of much outside the bubble of the boat and the forces which are working on it. Including (if it's a smallish boat) you sitting in the wrong place. And whether the effort of going down below and making a coffee and finding a chocolate biscuit is worth the risk of feeling sick (though of course you have always thought ahead and have everything you need easy to hand, not buried in a locker!). And about whether you REALLY, REALLY need to pee - always a mission whether you are in ski gear or sailing gear. The thoughts are not necessarily elevated sort of thoughts - but all about the moment.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Unless I'm hacking down eyeballs out, then thinking about various things is fine. The only sport I've done that requires 100% mental focus is trackdaying my motorbike, particularly if you are competitive, if you're approaching a bend at say 140mph and you want to brake at the last possible second as you can't get around above say 80mph, then you don't have any time to lose focus. Unless you want to eat dirt. Mad
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
"Where the cluck is she?" Very Happy
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Wtf am I doing here.

Shall I go have a vin chaux?

Should we rejoin the EU?

Oh this is fun!!!

NOOOOOOO MOGELLL
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
“I’m going to fall”; “Crap what if I break my leg”; “Why have you stopped in the middle of the piste for a chat/to take a photo - MOVE!!”. Or is my son going to randomly go off piste. I worry constantly. Which explains why I’m such a nervous skier. But I love it at the same time. It’s like an abusive relationship Eh oh! .
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