Confidence

Really tough one this, so sorry that you're not getting your enjoyment out of this great sport.

My wife had an accident two years ago in Val Thorens, like yourself it was right at the end of the trip (in sight of the hire shop we were returning skis to in fact) but, unlike you, she was actually crashed into by an out of control skier who didnt stop to investigate the accident. She ended up having surgery on cheek and nose when we got back to the UK.

12 months later we were literally days away from heading back to the slopes when she tearfully told me at home that she couldn't go - she was just too frightened of what might happen to her again. My wife is neither stupid nor a coward but couldnt get past what was (some might say) an irrational fear of lightning that was unlikley to strike twice. We talked about it a lot and she agreed to come to Verbier as planned and would see how skiing went. She was very nervous, understandably, and was very anxious in traffic. Anyone who's ever come down the Medran run into Verbier at the end of the day will know tha carnage that can ensue at the bottom "funnel" and this was exacerbated by the fact it was New Year week and so hugley overcrowded for anyone, never mind a skier with traffic issues.

BUT

My wife stuck with it, took her time, stopped as often as she felt necessary and delivered a straem of invective English / French / German (she speaks all 3) to anyone who gave her any grief about her pace. 8)

With that week out of the way we went again 8 weeks later to Killington, Vermont and she thrived in the quiet US resort where her confidence was completely repaired by the quiet slopes - to the point that we were "double black diamond hunting" by the end of the week again and I was struggling with my fitness rather than worrying about the time it was taking us to get down runs.

I appreciate that this is different to your own situation as you've had an injury through a fall rather than collision so you know logically that it can/will happen again to a greater or lesser extent - however I think it shows that confidence can be rebuilt but only by you. You need to "get back on the horse" as Trencher wisely says - take your time, enjoy the mountains - its amazing how much scenery you miss when you're charging head down trying to be Bode/Lindsey! As betty says - do runs you know and like repeatedly to get that groove going again - whatever works for you.

You know you can do it very well and very safely but part of your brain is saying "yeah but that last time...." - you simply need to push that bit back and rekindle those memories of being a great, confident skier. If it takes a few days/week and you can't bomb around with your friends then so be it - they won't mind some leisurely days (if we're honest we all like a few of them in a ski holiday) and will support you as you rebuild that confidence.

I wish you all the luck in the world and look forward to hearing all about your, no doubt hugely rewarding, trip!

Andy

If ice is the reason for your lost confidence please don't worry you are not on your own as it is a big problem for a lot of people. Most people just freeze at the sound of their skis hitting ice which then causes the problems. Trencher hits the nail on the head balance is key. Specifically you need your edge to grip to the ice so lean out of the mountain and whilst it doesn't feel natural it is the best thing you can do.

Mileage is definitely the key to trying to build your confidence. Just start on the easier slopes and hopefully it will soon return. However I still stand by my original post and say take a lesson as I think it will be the quickest way for you to gain confidence in yourself and your skiing ability again.

Hi,

I've just published a book all about Skiing and Fear - and how to overcome it - using NLP and visualisation techniques... with a specific section on how to overcome fears due to injuries...

Lessons may well help.. or not. But the problem does not lie in your ski technique - which is what most ski instructors are trained for... they exist in your mind... In short, your subconscious mind is actually trying to PROTECT you from future injuries... Fear is simply a message that part of you thinks you are in danger.. normally not the conscious part either.

Sure.. you WILL overcome that fear if you simply ski and ski...
New patterns will replace the old ones - however, NLP does a quick (and mostly permanent) fix in a matter of minutes..

I wont tell you how -

[You were doing so well until that point - this is a forum where we share stuff. If you want to advertise then use the link at top right - Admin.]

Cue Bandit & Pabs

brooksy wrote:
Cue Bandit & Pabs

Someone call? :twisted: I do hope I'm getting a reputation for abusing spammers :D

I see that Admin has visited recently with his pruning shears :D

ski-without-fear wrote:Hi,

I've just published a book all about Skiing and Fear - and how to overcome it - using NLP and visualisation techniques... with a specific section on how to overcome fears due to injuries...

Lessons may well help.. or not. But the problem does not lie in your ski technique - which is what most ski instructors are trained for... they exist in your mind... In short, your subconscious mind is actually trying to PROTECT you from future injuries... Fear is simply a message that part of you thinks you are in danger.. normally not the conscious part either.

Sure.. you WILL overcome that fear if you simply ski and ski...
New patterns will replace the old ones - however, NLP does a quick (and mostly permanent) fix in a matter of minutes..

I wont tell you how -

[You were doing so well until that point - this is a forum where we share stuff. If you want to advertise then use the link at top right - Admin.]

It's one hell of a bot they've got crawling the 'Net to pick up on this thread for them to make their first post.....

Nice snipping Admin!

And anyway, I disagree with him: -

Lessons may well help.. or not. But the problem does not lie in your ski technique -

How does he know that?

I also disagree with those that say it is a problem that is in the mind, and only you can sought it out.

There is a good chance that lessons ~ group or private, may well contribute to a recovery of confidence. There is a good reason why.

When someone, even some with a few years experience, has a bad hit, when they restart skiing, there often is a change in their technique. They ski defensively, but, they do not recognise so. An instructor can just pick up on this, and suggest a change or two, et voila, you get back to where you were, or, get better than where you were.

Many thanks to all your replies,

I feel so angry with myself as I do not usually lack confidence, I work in sales.

I have in the past hurt myself more - luckily not broke anything - fell of horses and cycles, rolled a snowmobile. I have skied and fell on ice in the past too. I seem to be suffering with vertigo more then fear of hurting myself as I was OK on the nursery slops - but I am not scared of heights, normally

I can snowboard but prefer skiing!

I think the suggestion of getting an instructor for an a few hours is good.