Latest posts for the topic "How to learn skiing FAST!!!"

How to learn skiing FAST!!!

pavelski — GMT

First what "attracted" your attention on this post title? The learning or the fast terms! I hope both, because the goal of this post is to provide information on some possible solutions to learning "correct/effective skiing" as quickly as possible1 By chance for the past two years I am teaching two very new skiers how to ski! Both started at 0 and both are taught at same hill and with same teaching technique! Both have excellent equipment and both had same skiing time and skiing lessons! Yet one has progressed like a rocket, while the other still is having problems! Since I video tape both,,I viewed over and over their skiing wondering what factors make for better skiing improvement and what "retards" skiing improvement! Learning to ski is a complex multi-varied learning situation but these two skiers helped me isolate some key parameters to learning quickly! Here is my initial conclusion on why skier A is near the expert level after only 2 years of ski instruction and skier B is still and weak intermediate level! Here are my observations; 1. Understanding the dynamics of correct skiing technique.It is essential,,no it is absolutely essential for a skier to understand some very basic concepts and techniques about how to "carve" a ski! Skier A took the time to read, took the time to study pictures and ask pertinent questions about this! Skier B did not! As a result Skier A had the essential correct positions in his mind,,even if initially he did not physically manifest them! There was yet no LINK between the theory and practice! 2, Trust. Skier A trusted me has instructor and followed me as if there was a magnet or rope between us! I chose the speed and skiing line for his learning! Slowly pushing his level of speed tolerance and difficulty level, without him noticing it! In psychological terms ( for you educators) this is called "successive approximation"! Slowly bringing the learner to learning goal in small incremental steps! Skier A followed with no hesitation, no alarm and no resistance! Skier B had "difficulty" accepting my lines! I would hear him deviate on the turns going to high or too low on turns! As I picked so speed, our gap would widen indicating he was hesitating! Skier B was not trusting me as much! 3.The flame. This last essential learning element is called many things. "Le feu sacré" in French! The "grrr factor" in American slang! The desire..the will to ski! I have concluded it is genetic, internal and very much part of a person's personality! Some people in whatever they do strive to improve! Strive to get better! I have coached Rugby, Olympic wrestlers and skiers and all elite athletes have this! All skiers who want to improve to expert level must have this key factor! Skier A has it. Skier B is slowly finding it! The flames lights,,then a wind blows it off! I re-light it,,it shines until something makes it dimm! A poor run! A steep section! Of course there are many other factors which "help" in learning how to ski,but in my mind the three above elements are essential entry elements all successful skiers must have to become "experts"! Skier A is at the doorway to expert level after 2 years of skiing! Skier B will take more time! You decide what skier you are?

How to learn skiing FAST!!!

DaveW — GMT

pavelski wrote:

First what "attracted" your attention on this post title? The learning or the fast terms! You decide what skier you are?

Yes! well done Sir, A1 @ Lloyds! I'm assuming you may not be English (excuse me,if you are). .Just about the most creditable explanation of the phenomonan ('cognitive dissonance') as I've ever seen and that's umpteen text books etc. The problem I've got,Pav, is all my life I've been type 'A' in everything and suffered sometimes, as a result. Having for 40 yrs been close to your Pupil A's standard? I'm more like a pupil Z at present. Now I can't even 'stand to the ski' properly never mind ski 'em. Ah well, was it ever thus. Keep up the good work. You can't always put it in the Bank; but the satisfaction shines thro' your piece like a beacon. highest regards, Dave W

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

Trencher — GMT

Unfortunately the world is full of type Bs. Just as well or we type As would have some competition :lol:. Seriously though, It is a subconscious assessment that I quickly make of people (right or wrong of me), to determine what type of person I am dealing with. It's always a joy to meet a fellow type A. They may not be naturals and may even struggle at times, but as you say Pav, a fire burns. You mention the use of books and media. I believe that the best mental ability for learning sports is visualisation. As with any conceptualising process, some reference concepts must be available to build on, but I think it is more than a lack of foundation that holds back your type Bs. It could be, that not all the time spent staring out of the window in school was wasted. If you are poor at visualisation (esp. self), reading books would be of much less benefit. Note: type A & B as defined by Pav above Trencher

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

pavelski — GMT

Dave W, I wish I was so much closer to you,,because in one day,,yes one day I will make you love skiing again! Dave, you have no idea how your comment, "I'm more like pupil Z touches me" since just a few months ago I was not even walking and everyone, except a great lady in Alaska was telling me that I would NOT ski EVER! TO read those words, "I can't even ski properly" makes me forward a challenge to you! Give me a chance to bring you back to the light,,to the flame! At 40 you should be "independent" enough to to free yourself from job! Take one week off! Come over the pond and if in one week I have NOT ignited the flame, I will pay your lift tickets for one week! I predict you will find your smile! I predict you will never turn back because if you are a type A then there is a little voice saying, "yes you can do it"!!! The glove is thrown! Find that light Dave!

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

pavelski — GMT

Trencher, Many many books have been written about visualization and you are so correct that seeing is vital in learning! However every person has different learning styles ( see Gardiner re Multiple Intelligences) so a good teacher adapts teaching to learners styles and not the other way around! One of the major problems in many countries is that a "orthodox ski teaching method " is drilled to ski instructors ..then they in turn "expect",,,,,, no demand that learner adapt to there style of teaching! I have found however that skiers who have a chance to see their own skiing tape,,first cringe,,,some cry then improve! Children "naturally" visualize in learning since they "model" their behavior by mimic parents or role models! What do adolescents do? try on various "roles" to see which fits best! Keep on making those grooves!!!

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

DaveW — GMT

pavelski wrote:

Dave W, ................ "yes you can do it"!.......................... The glove is thrown! Find that light Dave!

The light is on Pav, but after so long it's a bit dim. Like me! The 40 yrs was intended to be 'Skiing career'. Age-wise, I'm in my 70s. I do still ski 3 times a year. Only for a week each time, now though. I can't complain; there's a lot of others that would like to ski and can't, for a variety of reasons. Cross-the-pond ? What a lovely idea (used to, many times before retirement). Got some skiing-in there too. My youngest has got the ski-bug late-in-life. Who knows, I may get there again one day before I pop my clogs! Cheers buddy, Dave W

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

pavelski — GMT

Dave, Anytime just call. Will be there for you! Now great story for you Dave. I was skiing in Utah several years ago with a group. In this group was a 72 year old skier! I gets to ticket counter and lady asks him how old he is! He replies, "why,,72!" "Do you have your passport" she asks. Out comes the passport, she studies it for a second,,then with a great big smile she says, "here is Snowbird we give FREE season passes to anyone over 70! Come on over for you picture!" Dave you should have seen this man's face! A little boy in a candy store! What is better than getting this pass is skiing all winter with it dangling from neck! Everyone at local ski resort would ask him about it! Casually hw would reply, "I fly down to Utah for the weekend. That is why I have this ski season pass! For that year he was the "prestige" man in the whole resort! So Dave you are NOT too old! 2-3 times a year!! Not enough to get you young again! May I suggest you visit your physician and have him look up studies about fitness, happiness and living till 150! All results indicate that skiing is the cure and magic! Why do you think I have a carved wooden sign in front of my ski house! It reads, "Shangrila"

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

mrcrazy — GMT

Very well put comment. After 2 years I am definitly a type B but having said that I have no desire to fly down steep slopes. I love the long winding steady downhill runs and dont like going fast. There is nothing wrong with being a type B, it is more about enjoying what you are doing. I relate a type B here to a low intermediate Respect

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

pavelski — GMT

I hope I did not convey that any type was better than the other! What I did try to sate is that skiing is FUN above all! Also that there are "easy" paths to improving skiing and if someone wants to enjoy skiing these "paths" may help! Being type A has its problems! May I share some of them with you! "Problems" with type A skier; 1. Never satisfied with own skiing. Always trying to "improve" 2.Wants to be first up on lift at all times! It is near obsession drive! 3.Focussed on skiing only! How many times have I met women on chair who seemed so interesting, so inviting, so charming yet at top of lift...... the snow was too powerful! 3,Constantly tweeking ski equipment to get that extra pleasure,,that extra performance, that extra comfort! I am constantly "discovering" ways to modify something about my ski material to make skiing "better" 4.Having "difficulty" finding skiing partner! If you are so,,,let's admit it,,obsessed about skiing then it is difficult to find another "ski neurotic" like you! Rare is a person that can ski with me,,,,not because of my skiing ability level but my sole focus which is to get to slopes! What other skier convinces grooming operator to go up at 6 AM to video tape sun rise at top of ski resort! ( when in fact true reason is to ski down runs at 7 AM) Sick sick!!!! but loving to be sick! 5.Thinking skiing in Summer!!! Imagine being on beach and seeing sand like snow! Wondering what it must be like skiing down sand dunes! Sick again! 6.Planning to attend conferences not because of professional content but how close to ski resorts! 7.Collecting so many old ski material that have to buy new house with "extra" garage which becomes ski museum! SICK!!!! 8.Memorizing ski runs like World Cup racers so that in "boring meetings" you can ski down ski run in your head knowing every dip every curve, every steep section! Sick... So you see mrcrazy,,,,being type A skier has its "problems"! But I will take all those problems any day compared to some of the issues I see others have! Just enjoy skiing at your level at your speed!

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

Trencher — GMT

pavelski wrote:

8.Memorizing ski runs like World Cup racers so that in "boring meetings" you can ski down ski run in your head knowing every dip every curve, every steep section! Sick... !

Back to visualisation. Now be honest, how many sermons have you skied through. Also works for boring theatre, movies, school band concerts, etc. I also do a lot of white water kayaking this way too. It's the only way I'd get to Austria now, Sanna, Trisanna, Inn etc. I suspect that this is more of a male thing and women are jealous of this ability ). Trencher

Re:Male visualization

pavelski — GMT

Trencher, You do love to live dangerously! With your comments I am sure I will or Dave ( site admin) will get calls to find out your address! However I do accept that men and women think differently! Note I do not put a value or judgement on which is better! In my other life where I have to hire many persons all with specialized university degrees I always get equal men and women! Often the women will pick up aspects of a project that all men have not seen! I have noted that each group has "different" perceptual aptitudes! Is it cultural or genetic? I tend to lean on the genetic since I have many people from many cultures! In skiing I have also noted some differences! I can not list them here since I am sure someone will conclude that I am "favoring" one or the other group! If ever we meet Trencher I promise to share with you these differences! Let me just give you a hint; speed, carving, grrrr factor! Oh oh....do I hear the mail.......

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

Trencher — GMT

I'll put that another way, women don't seem to space out as often as men do. Trencher

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

bandit — GMT

Trencher wrote:

I'll put that another way, women don't seem to space out as often as men do. Trencher

So, if I look at a bloke and observe that the lights are on, but no one's home, they're likely visualising a WC run. If you say so :lol:

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

pavelski — GMT

Bandit, The lights in the home or in the head!

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

bandit — GMT

pavelski wrote:

Bandit, The lights in the home or in the head!

In the head, for sure. When you look at a bloke and the eyes are glazed and unfocused, but they've not had a drink (or 10) :lol: May be acompanied by a daft grin )

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

Tony_H — GMT

Trencher wrote:

I'll put that another way, women don't seem to space out as often as men do. Trencher

Youre probably right, as they are always thinking about what to clean next.

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

AJ — GMT

Trencher wrote:

pavelski wrote:

8.Memorizing ski runs like World Cup racers so that in "boring meetings" you can ski down ski run in your head knowing every dip every curve, every steep section! Sick... !
Back to visualisation. Now be honest, how many sermons have you skied through. Also works for boring theatre, movies, school band concerts, etc. I also do a lot of white water kayaking this way too. It's the only way I'd get to Austria now, Sanna, Trisanna, Inn etc. I suspect that this is more of a male thing and women are jealous of this ability ). Trencher

Hahaha Trencher i dont know what stuff your American ladies are made of but it sure isn`t the same stuff as us Europeans. :lol Jealous = Never competitive = Always,and gracious in defeat. We would never dream of going home to lick our wounds and sulk. :mrgreen: unlike our male counterparts. :lol: AJ Adele

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

pavelski — GMT

AJ, Please I do not know this word , "defeat"!!! Do you do this at end of turn or at beginning! Please define or give illustration! Pavel

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

AJ — GMT

pavelski wrote:

AJ, Please I do not know this word , "defeat"!!! Do you do this at end of turn or at beginning! Please define or give illustration! Pavel

It doesn`t surprise me Pavel as its not in the male vocabluary,Twentyfirst century man replaced it with a little word more commonly known as EGO. :twisted: heehee. AJ Adele

There is ego and then EGO

pavelski — GMT

Aj, Do you mean the famous ID Super-ego EGO from the famed Freudian personalities theory! Because if so,,it is a great compliment since this ego is the center of the personality!It is the decision maker. the one who finally moderates conflict between ID and super-ego! In the name of all males,,I accept this great compliment from you AJ! PS Some of my closer skier friends would tend to tell you that it is the ID that guides my ski gypsy life!

There is ego and then EGO

AJ — GMT

pavelski wrote:

Aj, Do you mean the famous ID Super-ego EGO from the famed Freudian personalities theory! Because if so,,it is a great compliment since this ego is the center of the personality!It is the decision maker. the one who finally moderates conflict between ID and super-ego! In the name of all males,,I accept this great compliment from you AJ! PS Some of my closer skier friends would tend to tell you that it is the ID that guides my ski gypsy life!

Tony_H wrote:

<<< pedant mode <<< It's "their lives" not "there lives" >>> end pedant mode >>>

Ok grammar lesson over smartarse,So i had another senior moment. ( sticking tongue out ) AJ Adele Dave we need some more emoticons please. sticking tongue out smack bottom dropping pants Others are far too rude to mention :twisted:

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

Trencher — GMT

I'm sure Dave has specially selected the emoticons we already have, as the least likely to give offense. Trencher

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

skidaddle — GMT

AJ wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

<<< pedant mode <<< It's "their lives" not "there lives" >>> end pedant mode >>>
Ok grammar lesson over smartarse,So i had another senior moment. ( sticking tongue out ) AJ Adele Dave we need some more emoticons please. sticking tongue out smack bottom dropping pants Others are far too rude to mention :twisted:

More of a spelling lesson really. Am I now "King Pedant Smart-arse" Adele? Thank you. Jeremy (Skidaddle)

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

AJ — GMT

skidaddle wrote:

AJ wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

<<< pedant mode <<< It's "their lives" not "there lives" >>> end pedant mode >>>
Ok grammar lesson over smartarse,So i had another senior moment. ( sticking tongue out ) AJ Adele Dave we need some more emoticons please. sticking tongue out smack bottom dropping pants Others are far too rude to mention :twisted:
More of a spelling lesson really. Am I now "King Pedant Smart-arse" Adele? Thank you. Jeremy (Skidaddle)

If the crown fits then by all means feel free. :lol: AJ Adele

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

caron-a — GMT

pavelski wrote:

Now for my dream! Perhaps one day all these skiers that "meet" in this site can plan a ski holiday in a ski resort that is "nearly" closed! Then Mike,Tony, Gordie, Jan, IceGhost, Caron-a, Ellitsine et al can finally meet and ski together! I know I can convince some ski companies to provide some sample skis! I know I can convince some ski resort to just close one day later! I know I can get some hotels to provide some low low end of season rates!!!! Its nice to still have dreams!

Could you imagine! All of us obsessives in one location!!! It'd be quite a trip that's for sure.

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

Gooseh — GMT

pavelski wrote:

Now for my dream! Perhaps one day all these skiers that "meet" in this site can plan a ski holiday in a ski resort that is "nearly" closed! Then Mike,Tony, Gordie, Jan, IceGhost, Caron-a, Ellitsine et al can finally meet and ski together! I know I can convince some ski companies to provide some sample skis! I know I can convince some ski resort to just close one day later! I know I can get some hotels to provide some low low end of season rates!!!! Its nice to still have dreams!

I must admit, I'm not the most active of users here on the site. I tend to read more than post, lurking as some call it. I am always here to learn, as skiing is what I spend all my year looking forward to, and I'm striving to improve. Having seen all the passion for skiing expressed on this site, a trip like you described sounds really quite incredible. If I'm welcome, count me in!

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

GeordieSki — GMT

Gooseh wrote:

pavelski wrote:

Now for my dream! Perhaps one day all these skiers that "meet" in this site can plan a ski holiday in a ski resort that is "nearly" closed! Then Mike,Tony, Gordie, Jan, IceGhost, Caron-a, Ellitsine et al can finally meet and ski together! I know I can convince some ski companies to provide some sample skis! I know I can convince some ski resort to just close one day later! I know I can get some hotels to provide some low low end of season rates!!!! Its nice to still have dreams!
I must admit, I'm not the most active of users here on the site. I tend to read more than post, lurking as some call it. I am always here to learn, as skiing is what I spend all my year looking forward to, and I'm striving to improve. Having seen all the passion for skiing expressed on this site, a trip like you described sounds really quite incredible. If I'm welcome, count me in!

Totally agree!! How amazing would that be?!!!! :D

Re:How to learn skiing FAST!!!

pavelski — GMT

So work hard on getting better and better! Travel to ski resorts that will make you a better skier. Learn from others. Soon there will be a "core" of skiers who like and respect each other's company. They will be willing to go beyound this nedium and share emails and real names! The anonymous fascade will melt slowly and perhaps then a "group" activity will be planned! The seed is in the soil. Let it grow!