 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
So how do you all decide what to work on to improve your skiing - do you pick just one thing or many, and how do you pick it - does someone point it out to you or do you inhernetly 'know' what needs work?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
As we're in the equipment zone the answer must be what shiny new kit will most transform your skiing?
More seriously pick one thing at a time and it can be as simple as "relax" or "don't be a pussy".
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 thought the idea of holiday was not working...... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Oh, sod it - can some friendly mod do a mod thing and stick this into BZK where I thought I was posting it - pretty please??
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Megamum, is there any one thing which you believe is holding back your skiing?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I tend to go with "spend more time eating lunch" and "drink more booze" - usually one or the other of these holds me back from my optimum achievement of eating too much and drinking too much with a bit of skiing in the middle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pure enjoyment factor for me, I'm afraid I don't care too much about technique or improvement. It's a holiday first and foremost and it might well be my only holiday next year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Elizabeth B wrote: |
| I thought the idea of holiday was not working...... |
+1
FFS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| queen bodecia wrote: |
| Pure enjoyment factor for me, I'm afraid I don't care too much about technique or improvement. It's a holiday first and foremost |
Totally agree 
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Hopefully not working, last ski trip HP7 arrived in the email whilst I was away. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Megamum, what I would do, or rather, have done, is to take a few indoor lessons before setting off on holiday and then compile, with the help and guidance of my friendly instructor(s), a list of not more than half a dozen or so drills, specially chosen to address what they see as my major weaknesses. When I'm away skiing with friends, I use these as warm-ups and pick one or two at random to work on during the day at odd times, when an opportunity arises. That seems to be a relaxed sort of compromise between work and play.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Megamum wrote: |
| So how do you all decide what to work on to improve your skiing - do you pick just one thing or many, and how do you pick it - does someone point it out to you or do you inhernetly 'know' what needs work? |
I just ski when I'm on holiday, unless I'm on a holiday with lessons. I don't consciously work on anything and hope that lessons I've had have just been absorbed through osmosis and transformed my skiing 
Wot Pedantica says would be a good plan if you want to work on things on your hols.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
I thought, from discussions on here, it would be obvious.
Bumps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
Yep generally "just ski" working on stuff is what the other 50 or so weeks are for!
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Fri 15-07-11 13:43; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| Pedantica wrote: |
| Megamum, what I would do, or rather, have done, is to take a few indoor lessons before setting off on holiday and then compile, with the help and guidance of my friendly instructor(s), a list of not more than half a dozen or so drills, specially chosen to address what they see as my major weaknesses. When I'm away skiing with friends, I use these as warm-ups and pick one or two at random to work on during the day at odd times, when an opportunity arises. That seems to be a relaxed sort of compromise between work and play. |
just what I was going to suggest!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| Quote: |
Pure enjoyment factor for me, I'm afraid I don't care too much about technique or improvement. It's a holiday first and foremost
|
Pure enjoyment for me as well, but whereas I eat and drink all year round I can only ski a few weeks a year, so this is precious time. And the better I ski, the more I enjoy it, and if skiing badly I enjoy it less. I have found that a structured skills warmup each day really helps, including some balance drills (fore/aft and lateral) and steering drills (edge control, rotation, pressure) to switch on the appropriate skills. I normally do these in the first 2-3 runs and my ski partners often don't even notice, but it really helps set me up for the day.
If there are any real weak points then I may set some time for a bit more work on these. Normally for me balance is at the heart of everything, so if I haven't skied for a while then some 1 leg skiing really helps. Then if I really want to focus on something (carving, bumps etc) then I may add some steering drills for this type of skiing.
So although this may sound a bit structured, like I said my ski partners tend not even to notice and it really helps me ski better and therefore enjoy it more. Go back to 2 leg skiing after 20 mins of 1 leg, and you feel so much stronger, better balanced, the whole experience feels great...if you can attack the bumps with some flow and confidence, then the enjoyment is also much greater than nervously skidding through them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Step 1 - See if I can even put a turn in post ACL op.
Step 2 - Depends entirely on how step one goes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Megamum wrote: |
| What to work on next ski holiday.................... |
The sexy skier chicks in the hot tub?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Quote: |
The sexy skier chicks in the hot tub?
|
Where's the "Like" button! Although I feel you might be selling your idea a little short!
I reckon there might be one or two "hot boarder chicks" that also use the hot tubs! If you can be persuaded 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Megamum wrote: |
| So how do you all decide what to work on to improve your skiing - do you pick just one thing or many, and how do you pick it - does someone point it out to you or do you inhernetly 'know' what needs work? |
Well at your level I'd have taken a lesson... A good instructor can set you up with a weeks homework - or a few days... pretty easy to slip that into the days skiing usually...
These days I have a pretty good idea what I'm working on... progress is a little slower so it does not change quite so much from week to week... and still easy to slip into my ski day
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Megamum wrote: |
| So how do you all decide what to work on to improve your skiing - do you pick just one thing or many, and how do you pick it - does someone point it out to you or do you inhernetly 'know' what needs work? |
Well at your level I'd have taken a lesson... A good instructor can set you up with a weeks homework - or a few days... pretty easy to slip that into the days skiing usually...
These days I have a pretty good idea what I'm working on... progress is a little slower so it does not change quite so much from week to week... and still easy to slip into my ski day
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Go on holiday to enjoy yourself. Work on relaxing and having fun
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Fri 15-07-11 17:53; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Megamum, As from your previous posts you are now fairly happy on red slopes I would suggest that you have a couple of lessons on doing short turns on steep slopes. I found that once I had cracked that skill there was a step change in my overall skiing abiliy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| riverman wrote: |
| ...I would suggest that you have a couple of lessons on doing short turns on steep slopes. I found that once I had cracked that skill ... |
I wish I had cracked that skill... still a work in progress for me
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
riverman, I had two 2 hr private lessons last year and started work on those short turns - I am pretty confident to have a crack at 'stuff' with an instructor (or another cajoling adult) with me and tackled some fairly robust reds successfully with them (though it may not have looked particularly slick and tidy to the bystanders, it seemed to work) What I do hope is that if I holiday by myself with the kids next year that I will still have the guts to go and ski reds (which will probably be strange reds) with them.
I get the concept of it's a holiday so relax, but my big downfall is that I'm a perfectionist and won't be happy until I can ski to a point that I'm happy with.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
I've had a lesson of some sort every year so hopefully my technique isn't too bad so I tend to have quite broad skiing aims. A few years ago it was to get more comfortable skiing off piste, this year I wanted to get more comfortable skiing steeper stuff. I guess you could use this approach as well so getting more comfortable skiing reds would be a good aim which basically just means skiing them! I also think about little things, usually one at a time that I have noticed I do, again a couple of years ago an instructor pointed out I keep the weight on my inside foot for too long one one side when turning, this year someone took some photos of me where I noticed I was consistently dropping my inside arm on one side.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
If the eating too much and drinking too much theory goes badly, I like to just go skiing with people who are better than I am. It pushes me to keep pace up on more difficult terrain, attempt slopes I wouldn't attempt on my own or with others of the same ability, and generally go a bit more balls out. That improves my skiing when I back off a bit, a bit like driving at 100mph makes driving at 30mph seem slower afterwards.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Quote: |
I don't consciously work on anything and hope that lessons I've had have just been absorbed through osmosis and transformed my skiing Madeye-Smiley
|
+1
I usually rememberr stuff I have been told/taught when things go a bit wrong...e.g. I would never dream of doing a kickturn normally but as soon as I am facing some sort of drop or get stuck somewhere which looks a bit iffy, I suddenly can do them (really quickly) without a problem (I then also always resolve to practice them on a regular basis but then never do till I'm facing the next abyss).
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Wayne,
| Quote: |
Remember that Gaffer Tape should never ever be taken on holiday
|
But Gafer tape is my only friend
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
rob@rar, Sorry, I missed the comment above - 'The one thing that is holding back my skiing' is still my mind!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| little tiger wrote: |
| riverman wrote: |
| ...I would suggest that you have a couple of lessons on doing short turns on steep slopes. I found that once I had cracked that skill ... |
I wish I had cracked that skill... still a work in progress for me |
+1
I figure when I got that one finally cracked, I'd be a fantastic skier.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Megamum, my sister is a qualified hypnotherapist, if that helps... 
If you mean you lack confidence then perhaps one of two scenarios is at play: you have reached the natural limit of your perceived risk, in which case enjoy the level you currently ski at and try not to get frustrated by the stuff you can't do. Alternatively, your confidence will continue to grow hand-in-hand with your increase in fundamental skills. Continue to develop your skills and you will grow in confidence.
My mind (or more precisely a lack of confidence) holds me back in some situations and I suspect the vast majority of skiers 'lose it' at some point when they reach the edge of their skills base, so you're not alone in having your mind hold you back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
rob@rar, strangley enough there is someone that advertises hypnotherapy in the local village, and I have often been intruiged by the notion that it could help with things like skiing. fear of hospitals and fear of jumping off things. The trouble is I am a fairly practically minded person and I don't know if I am the sort of person that would respond to hypnotherapy. Yes, I think it is a confidence issue - practically I know I am a fair IO level 6 skier - which means I should be capable of tackling all but the most ratty, ungroomed hellish reds in most resorts. In reality that is the case - My success in the Orelle valley this year on the long steeper stretch of deep slushy moguls proved that along with the sheer icy hell that was one or two of the reds in Les Arcs - safely and fairly competently negiotiated. So why is it that I will still resist going down red runs when there is a doddle of a blue next to it? No obvious reason that I can think of - I have enough skills to safely ski the reds in most conditions, so why do I have to talk myself into them? Is it because I am still on the edge of that newly found skills base that you mention above?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Megamum wrote: |
| Is it because I am still on the edge of that newly found skills base that you mention above? |
Yes, I think it is. You don't yet trust those skills when the going gets tough, so take the easier option when one is offered to you. Perfectly natural, and by no means unusual. As an instructor I would look at how well acquired those skills were - whether they were fully ingrained in your skiing or whether you had to focus hard to use them in anything other than easy situations. As you become more proficient in those skills you will feel happier in more complex conditions, and your comfort zone will expand. Trick is to ensure you enjoy the process of developing those skills as well as "just skiing", so whatever you do on holiday is fun.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Quote: |
focus hard to use them in anything other than easy situations
|
I have been finding that if I approach a tricky situation and might have my mind on other things at the time - other skiers, where are the kids?, have I lost the group?, where the hell is that boarder going?, theres a snow mobile - must watch where he wants to go etc. that the skis and legs just tend to do the necessary skiing. If one the other hand I've had time to think about things then yes, I then find that I really need to focus and get a bit of grim determination going to do what is needed and I never end up doing the things as well as I do in the first scenario.
Mind you I have taken the plunge and decided to book a ski holiday next year by myself with the kids and I think they will disown me if I don't ski the reds with them so maybe that will give me the shove I need to get my mind round the issue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Megamum, yes, I always try to encourage a "quiet mind" when you're skiing, but that only works if you have the skills well enough embedded to let the body take over. Until you are in that position most people will need to concentrate on one or two key movements to help them stay in control if they are skiing at the edge of their ability. There is the danger of 'over-thinking' skiing: ask yourself if you ever do that...?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
's
