Do you guys practice your skills when you go skiing?

[GoGo9527]

Hey everyone, first off, I’m new to the forum! I started learning to ski this 23-24 season, so I’m still totally a newbie. Right now, I can switch edges on beginner and intermediate runs, but I haven’t gotten the hang of carving yet. Every time I switch edges, I end up kicking up a huge spray of snow behind me!

A lot of people around me are really into practicing carving—they lean as low as they can when turning, and you can see deep, clean lines they leave in the snow. It looks so cool! So I was wondering: when you guys ski, do you put in the work to practice your skills, or do you just focus on enjoying the ride—checking out the scenery and not worrying too much about technique?

 

[snoseek]

Rarely although I probably should more often.

I can't see going out and doing this all day every day but on a icy day it could keep you out longer working on skill.

 

[crank]

Yes and no.

I am not a big fan of the get your hip super low style of skiing. You can carve turns without doing that.

I'm in my late 60's and it just looks and feels inefficient to and for me. I need to conserve muscles to make it through the day and be able to ski terrain I enjoy more such as moguls and trees.

But I do work on stuff now and then. First run I usually spin some 360's and maybe do a few falling leaf drills just so I can feel exactly where and when am riding flat and when my edges will start to bite. To me skiing is all about balancing, dynamic balance.

 

[drjeff]

From time to time, certainly. And much of that has to do with the fact that within the circle of friends who I often ski with are multiple folks who have either Their PSIA level 2 or 3's or USSSA level 200 and 300's coaching certifications, so often they working on specific things themselves and/or will point things out to folks in our group if they see them. And often the tips they give get back to fundamental core skills from which you can build off of to improve my overall skiing, even after over 45 years of being on the hill enjoying this great sport

 

[GoGo9527]

Rarely although I probably should more often.

I can't see going out and doing this all day every day but on a icy day it could keep you out longer working on skill.

But seeing how they ski like that? It looks so cool—I’m kind of tempted to practice it myself. The thing is, I have no idea where to start. Maybe this ski season, I’ll just go find a coach.

 

[GoGo9527]

Yes and no.

I am not a big fan of the get your hip super low style of skiing. You can carve turns without doing that.

I'm in my late 60's and it just looks and feels inefficient to and for me. I need to conserve muscles to make it through the day and be able to ski terrain I enjoy more such as moguls and trees.

But I do work on stuff now and then. First run I usually spin some 360's and maybe do a few falling leaf drills just so I can feel exactly where and when am riding flat and when my edges will start to bite. To me skiing is all about balancing, dynamic balance.

You understand skiing way better than I do—I’m still pretty much a beginner. Right now, I can make turns on my own, but my rhythm is all over the place. I’m kind of stuck in a slump lately. I know I need to practice seriously this season, but I have no clue where to start. I guess I’ll probably have to find a pro coach.

 

[GoGo9527]

That’s so impressive! All my friends are about the same level as me—total newbies. Quick question: where do you usually go skiing? And roughly how much do ski coaches charge in that area?

From time to time, certainly. And much of that has to do with the fact that within the circle of friends who I often ski with are multiple folks who have either Their PSIA level 2 or 3's or USSSA level 200 and 300's coaching certifications, so often they working on specific things themselves and/or will point things out to folks in our group if they see them. And often the tips they give get back to fundamental core skills from which you can build off of to improve my overall skiing, even after over 45 years of being on the hill enjoying this great sport

 

[4aprice]

I think I practice my skills everytime I go out. I mean I'm a recreational skier and there's no competition except with myself. Does practice have to be repetition? There are times when I've found say a good mogul run and lapped it working on technique and timing but I don't really do drills of any type like a race team.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

pretty much if the conditions are just so-so i am pretty conscious of trying to use the time on the hill to work on skills whether that is carving, bumps, or whatever else.