 Poster: A snowHead
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I'd be interested in the opinions of Snowheads about how to set appropriate goals for skiing for the forthcoming season. I really don't know whether it is better to be ambitious or relatively conservative and incremental about my approach.
When I look back over what I have achieved over the last 2 years of skiing (5 weeks plus regular trips to the Snowdome), then I have made a huge amount of progress. When I started my goals were simply to be able to ski nice green and blue pistes with Mr Docsquid at a sufficient speed that he didn't get bored. These gradually expanded, leading me to want to be able to ski red pistes (because you can get further and see more) and then blacks, and then attempt moguls. I've managed all these, although clearly need to improve.
My goals for the coming season will probably be fairly conservative i.e.
1. Improve my technique, particularly carving technique
2. Learn to ski gates
3. Improve my bumps skiing
4. Improve my speed (with this goes confidence)
5. Get better at on-snow 360's and little tricks
But looking at them they look a bit conservative, really. The problem is that if I set myself a goal of doing a lot of off-piste, or skiing the biggest most kamikaze black run I can find - well, I don't actually really want to do those things, probably because I don't actually think my technique is up to it yet (there is a difference between "getting down" something and "skiing down" something and I want to do the latter). I'm not that fussed at present about off-piste - maybe that will change as I progress and want a new challenge.
So, should goals be ambitious (maybe not even things you want to do), or just incremental as mine are? I think I tend to be an incremental person, as my cycling goals for the coming year look similarly un-ambitious!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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?
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1. Ski new resorts.
2. Ski a run that I found difficult last year, and make a better job of it.
3. Smile/laugh/sing more.
4. Maximise my ski time with people who want to have fun.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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docsquid, Consider doing a Warren Smith or Phi Smith course.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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docsquid
I have always set mine with my ski instructors - but then i ski with the same 2-3 instructors for 50-70 lessons a season so that helps...
so my first thought is have you been using an instructor regularly at the snowdome and could they help?
I also have both long term and short term goals... short term may be seasonal goals... long term are things I'd like to do one day... It may take me YEARS of work both on and off snow to have a snowflakes hope in hell of achieving the long term goals... it does not matter... I'm more interested in the journey than the destination...
the thing is - with sufficient determination almost anything is within grasp...
My skiing is proof of this... the resort doctor (a friend of my dead brother) tried to stop me from learning to ski because he thought it too dangerous for me... all the instructors from my home resort that remember how I started out are still confused as to how I can now ski as I do... but they also want me to be an instructor because they understand what sort of work it required to make that journey...
My life has been turned upside down... I do things we never thought it possible for me to do... I have control of my body as I could never imagine I would.... and I love it all to bits.
Even the hard parts that are nasty to live through at the time end up resulting in some good - often simply by strengthening my resolve to ignore the stupid, ill mannered, and ignorant sods who make my life hell for being devoted to learning something that is incredibly hard for me and for NOT being a ski god (as they imagine they are in their tiny insular brains)
You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it, however.
Richard Bach
The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.
Richard Bach
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I'm not a ski god, but Tracy makes a good point!
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II has a good point 
Why set yourself goals, for what is meant to be a holiday!! Fair enough if you are wanting to compete or somesuch, but enjoy it!!
Cheers,
Greg
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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.
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kitenski, yeah, I like II's one, after that it's about getting out there, and discovering new places and new things, and having a good time doing it (even if I don't do it well)
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| spyderjon wrote: |
| docsquid, Consider doing a Warren Smith or Phi Smith course. |
She's on the Phil Smith race course in November. Good choice 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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kitenski, disagree, I like having goals. If you don't have goals, how do you ever know you've achoeved them? But that's just my POV, no wish to impose upon anyone else.
docsquid, maybe, as referred to above, you could have 3 sets of goals.
Short term - what you want to achieve (?) this holiday, how you think you'll go about it, how you'll know you've achieved it - small steps, well defined, definited measures. Maybe "I will ski the run that I 'got down' laast year withgrace and elegance". You may need external judging on that one...
Mid term - pick an area of skiing you want to really improve and set a suitable time scale. This is where I stick bigger goals and objectives, typically 1-2 seasons - and whihc may include real stretches - such as committing to racing (or something. Randonnee anyone?)
The big one are the longer term ones - 2-5 years (or more) and possibly involving other life decisions (don't try and tell me you don't take skiing that seriously?) - like relocating to Switzerland.
And of course as you go along, you update them.
Theory naturally easier than practise. It is mentioned above, get a good instructor (/coach). Start with what you want to achieve, agree a reasonable expectation of progress over the hour/day/week/month and away you go. Much, much more effective with external assistance.
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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.
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Yeh each to his own, but I do view it as a holiday when all is said and done.
However it gets to a point where if I set serious goals that I wanted and could acheive, it would be at the detriment of my marriage, family, wallet and probably job!
Cheers.
Greg
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kitenski, I'm with you for the most part. I want my technique to be good enough to embrace the sport, but I don't want to concentrate on it so much that it spoils my FUN!
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You know it makes sense.
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docsquid, You could check your goals against the 'SMARTER' approach (as borrowed from http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/plan.htm ) :
* S - goals must be Specific
* M - training targets should be Measurable
* A - goals should be Adjustable
* R - goals must be Realistic
* T - training targets should be Time based
* E - goals should be challenging and Exciting
* R - goals should be Recorded
But having fun is a good test too  !
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| kitenski wrote: |
Yeh each to his own, but I do view it as a holiday when all is said and done.
However it gets to a point where if I set serious goals that I wanted and could acheive, it would be at the detriment of my marriage, family, wallet and probably job!
Cheers.
Greg |
greg that is simply PRIORITIES... ie you have other goals that are higher than the skiing ones... My skiing has had to take a second place the last couple of years... in order that other non-skiing goals be met so that my longer term skiing goals can be met....
Ditto my poor surfing has suffered due to being here.... while there was a spell where the off-season ski training took a back seat to my surf lessons/training....
there is nothing wrong with skiing not being your top priority... you just factor THAT fact into the goal setting... it is part of the realistic goal setting thing.... what sacrifices etc are you going to make to get there.... what other things are higher in the pecking order...
In my case much time and money, almost all dignity (you have to see the video of my first season on snow to understand that part) and much sweat and tears and brain power required... plus an outstanding amount of care and support from a huge bunch of top people back home.... unfortunately while many can still watch the progression some have been lost from the info chain....
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Poster: A snowHead
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I definitely think improving your skills will make the sport funner. But I also think that there are some who over think, and over analyze to a point of forgetting that they are supposed to be "smiling" while they are going down the hill, not concentrating to a point of looking like they are constipated.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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yeah - there are those so intent on "ticking off runs" that they forget to stop and smell the roses (or explore the different snow or views)... I find it painful skiing with run ticker-offers... I like to sometimes ski the same area repeatedly checking out the variable snow conditions etc etc... focusing on the trail map so you can say you "did" these runs or lifts takes all the enjoyment out of the process...
These sorts of folks get no enjoyment from "limited" areas... whilst I enjoy myself no matter what as long as I have some white stuff to slide on...
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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?
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I must admit that skiing is the most fun I can have inside my own head (rather than out of it ) complete absorbtion, engagement of senses, focus on what I'm up to, etc. On a good day I'm just always trying to make the next turn just a little more fluid, controlled, effortless, etc.
Am I so weird? I can multi task, honest, so I do get to smell the pretty little flowers on the way down too!!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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David Murdoch, you're not weird - unless I am too
SnowHot, I agree about the over analyzers. There's a time to think, a time to have lessons, and a time to go out there and put your thoughts and lessons into practice in skiing freely, without others telling you where to go or what to do, but just enjoying yourself.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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David Murdoch,
me too... I'm the one obsessed with improving remember - everyone else thinks that my skiing cannot possibly be fun because i want to improve...
PhillipStanton,
I have great instructors and "supporters from the sidelines" ....
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| SnowHot wrote: |
| When does a skier take their goals so seriously, that he/she forgets to "just enjoy"? |
In my case, when I forget to "whoop"!
little tiger - "little tiger"..."little tiger"..."little tiger"... (the sound of supporting - i'm not sure how to make a football rattle sound though!)
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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.
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| PhillipStanton wrote: |
| SnowHot wrote: |
| When does a skier take their goals so seriously, that he/she forgets to "just enjoy"? |
In my case, when I forget to "whoop"!
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Meeeeee Toooooo!
I tend to say Whoooooo Hoooooo!
an awful lot.
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| PhillipStanton wrote: |
| little tiger - "little tiger"..."little tiger"..."little tiger"... (the sound of supporting - i'm not sure how to make a football rattle sound though!) |
thankyou.... 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Great thread docsquid,
Fantastic inspiration little tiger,
This thread made me realise that I hadn't consciously set goals for skiing although I had in all other aspects of my life, such as get qualified, learn to fly, learn a language. Indeed my job insists on goal setting. But with skiing I had just stuck it on a mental hook of do as much skiing as I can and I managed 3 skiing trips last year. Progression was coming with experience and practice.
What this thread has made me do, most of all, is think about what I what to do next, and where I want to be. Is 45 to old to think about packing in engineering and becoming a seasonairre?
I might have to pop down the dry slope tonight!
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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.
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| WayneC wrote: |
| Is 45 to old to think about packing in engineering and becoming a seasonairre? |
One of our local chalet companies employs a lovely retired couple as their seasonaires. The only problem? They don't put up with any s**t from the chalet company!
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spyderjon, we're doing the Phil Smith race course in Tignes in a few weeks' time, and I'm really looking forward to that.
The points about short and long-term goals are important - mine are all rather short-term.
SnowHot, yes, skiing should definitely be fun. I just don't have much fun if I can't do what the other people I'm skiing with can do, so there is a need to improve as well as a need to have fun. I enjoy drifting down greens and blues and going to the cafe, and taking time to look at the scenery as well as hammering down as fast as I can on the edges as much as I can be. I agree also with little tiger, I'm also very lucky just to be able to ski at all, given the injuries I have had, and also the problems I have with my chest and breathing. For me, it is a pleasure to slide down white stuff no matter where - the Snowdome included. Your story is inspirational.
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You know it makes sense.
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docsquid,
too right!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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My goal has always simply been to be able to ski anywhere on the mountain that I want to and not have to look at the piste map to navigate around bits I don't yet feel up to. I'm not there yet though - at least mentally. That's why I try and think things through off snow so that when I get on snow the mechanics/theory are settled in my brain and I can concentrate on feel. Technique is my tool for not getting injured and therefore being able to continue to ski for as long and as often as my body and real life will allow
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Poster: A snowHead
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I really can't see any conflict between goal setting (as in wanting to improve your skiing) and having fun. For some people just doing the work on your skiing is fun. OTOH, if you see improvement as a chore, then clearly you won't improve and thus will miss out on the best fun. If you want to improve it actually won't take the whole day (indeed this is destructive). Half an hour to warm up first thing in the morning, and practise whatever exercises your instructor gave you is all it takes. Skiing around all day trying to make small improvements doesn't work until you get to the level of a David Murdoch - and you won't get there without goals! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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?
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I forgot to add 'improve my bump skiing' 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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My goals this season are to improve my telemarking from novice/low intermediate level, improve my skiing in sketchy snow and stay injury free. The last may be the biggest challenge.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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geetee, I would say that, because I've put in the effort (and I'm not suggesting any snowheads put in enough effort to become a Grade 1) and can now reap the results. Although I've skied all my life, I've also had lessons and reace training etc. and it's all paid off, but what's made the biggest difference is doing all these silly little wierd exercises repeatedly. I feel my own skiing has improved more in the last 2 years than the previous 10. I do rather resent the implication that I would say you should seek to improve your technique just to sell lessons, because anyone who actually knows me will know this is not true. this is genuine advice, genuinely given.
At any rate, I shall still be skiing when I can barely walk because I have reasonable technique, while others are forced to give up at my current age!
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| Quote: |
I do rather resent the implication that I would say you should seek to improve your technique just to sell lessons
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easiski, apologies, there was no intended implication of that I just meant that as an instructor you'd be one of the most keen of us to see people improve (and let's face it most of us probably have room for that) and setting goals is a way of doing that. I'm sure all the instructors that I've met would say the same thing. In addition, all the ones I've met in recent years have wanted us to have fun while we've been learning too.
I hope I'll be skiing for a long time too!
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geetee, OK sorry I misunderstood you, been a bit sensitive lately! Tired probably. 
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easiski, no worries. I hope the PSB goes well. Looks like you're going to be verrrrry busy next week. 
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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.
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Interesting thoughts in this thread... a couple open questions:
Do you think that improving your skills leads to more or less enjoyment?
Are there better ways of focusing on those skills than setting some goals or objectives?
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ssh, less, ignorance is bliss! I wasn't worried about technique or off piste as a newbie because it looked like it was for pro's and experts.
Now I've learnt a little and sampled a bit of it I'm aware of how bad a skier I am and what I need to do to sort it all out, I'm at that frustrating bit in the middle where I'm unhappy with how bad I am rather than appreciating how good I am (if you get my drift).
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FAQ
