How to learn skiing FAST!!!

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?

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

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

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!

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!!!

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

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"

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