Skiing With New People

[wa-loaf]

I like to hang back and evaluate the other skiers to see what I'm in for. I wouldn't say I'm competitive (except for racing), but do like it when the other skiers can push me to ski harder. From the one AZ event I've been to I feel I'm probably middle of the pack with the crew here.

 

[hammer]

I assume everyone is better than me and just try to keep up and do what they're doing/ take the trails they're taking. I tend to learn a lot from new people.

+1

 

[Greg]

From the one AZ event I've been to I feel I'm probably middle of the pack with the crew here.

Hardly. Upper tier, definitely.

 

[wa-loaf]

Hardly. Upper tier, definitely.

Thanks, maybe. There're some really good skiers here. My only AZ video appearance is me wiping out because I forgot to buckle my boots. :lol:

 

[Greg]

Thanks, maybe. There're some really good skiers here. My only AZ video appearance is me wiping out because I forgot to buckle my boots. :lol:

I wasn't going to bring that up. :lol: But out of all the new folks I met, I was most impressed by your and ta&idaho's skiing that day...

 

[2knees]

I wasn't going to bring that up. :lol: But out of all the new folks I met, I was most impressed by your and ta&idaho's skiing that day...

was thinking the exact same thing.

 

[Greg]

was thinking the exact same thing.

Shut up. What the hell do you know...

 

[wa-loaf]

Second on ta&idaho. Hawkshot was cool too and did a great job showing us around.

Thing is even the folks who aren't that experienced were game to try harder stuff. That's what makes skiing with this group fun.

 

[2knees]

Shut up. What the hell do you know...

talented skiers when i see them.

thats two shots across the bow................ :flame:

 

[andyzee]

I typically apologize for my lack of skillz before we even start.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

How do you react when skiing with new people the first time? I’m usually semi-competitive at first. After I see what the other guys have and they see me, then I’ll lay back and relax. I guess I need the pecking order established. Sometimes it takes awhile, sometimes you can tell right away.

I remember skiing bumps at Breck with my friend’s cousin’s friend. Best bump skier I’ve ever skied with personally. It took about 50 yards for me to know who the lead dog was.

I ski the way I usually ski..fast and aggressive and if the skier I'm skiing with is slow..then I'll wait partway down and let them pass me and then blow by them at mach 8..

 

[andyzee]

then blow by them at mach 8..

I misread that part the first time out and had to do a double take.

 

[Greg]

I misread that part the first time out and had to do a double take.

I couldn't figure it out either. What happens at 8 o' clock?

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

group dynamics in skiing can be some interesting stuff. If I'm at the home hill, I'll usually get out in front and then check everyone out on their way down from a safe spot...don't like jet wash and everything/everyone else on the run is more predictable when you're the first one or two heading down a trail...once three or four people have blazed through, the rest of the herd can get stirred up.
If I'm the newbie I'll hang back for the first run or two and sort out who's who...if I belong in the front, then I'll go there. The best groups...the most fun, are the ones where everyone brings something to the table, you're well matched in ability, and you all take turns leading the way...4 people is ideal, up to 6 if you've got a great group. The whole can be greater than the sum of its parts.

 

[Hawkshot99]

Also depends on what skis I am using. If on my twin tips, I like to hang at the back because I get alot of complaints about the spray I throw up with them.:roll:

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Also depends on what skis I am using. If on my twin tips, I like to hang at the back because I get alot of complaints about the spray I throw up with them.:roll:

At Blue..3/4th of our Saturday morning crew is on double-tips and we kick up a mad steezy spray for errr-body...Phillycore leaves the biggest spray since he's almost 300 lbs

 

[Beetlenut]

I'll ski the same way as I always do. Since it usually takes me a run or two to wake-up in the morning, I'll probably be towards the back of the pack at first. Once I get going, I'll adjust my style to stay with the group. If the group is slow, I'll ski over and around more stuff to keep pace. If the group is fast, I'll ski more fall line. It's all good! 8)

 

[billski]

How do you react when skiing with new people the first time? I’m usually semi-competitive at first. After I see what the other guys have and they see me, then I’ll lay back and relax. I guess I need the pecking order established. Sometimes it takes awhile, sometimes you can tell right away.

I remember skiing bumps at Breck with my friend’s cousin’s friend. Best bump skier I’ve ever skied with personally. It took about 50 yards for me to know who the lead dog was.

Depends who it is. Most of the time, I just stay with their pace, as I often seem to be the fastest one out. I don' t want to be perceived as a "show off." You tend to mellow out and lose the competitiveness at my ancient age.

I do ski with one fella who sees the primary reason for skiing is exercise. I was seeing stars trying to keep up with him and begged off. I never want to do that to anyone unless they insist.

Most women I ski with (sorry to generalize) are more into the social aspect, and seem to hold back, so I'll just hang back with them. When they break, I'll take a couple extra two or three runs just to open it up.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Most women I ski with (sorry to generalize) are more into the social aspect, and seem to hold back, so I'll just hang back with them. When they break, I'll take a couple extra two or three runs just to open it up.

I agree with that...some women who I skied with last season would spend a few minutes at the top of the lift just chit-chatting or adjusting gear. Also women need to go inside to go to the bathroom and they seem to have smaller bladders.

It's definitely an adjustment for my skiing to ski with others. When I ski alone..I'm a vert whore and my primary goal is to make it to the bottom really fast and ski right back on the lift..always moving..there are a few Blue mountain regulars like Toast, Gorgonzola, Phillycore and Atomic Jeff who ski that way...but if people are way slower and I stop a few times on the way down...it kills my momentum and I seem to get more tired.

At Jackson Hole..my friend Tom was breaking in new boots and after the first run..he needed to go in the lodge and take off his boots for a few minutes..sitting in the lodge was just killing me...I like to keep moving..Ain't nothing gonna break my stride Ain't nothing gonna slow me down oh no I've got to keep on moving...

 

[severine]

I assume everyone is better than me and just try to keep up and do what they're doing/ take the trails they're taking. I tend to learn a lot from new people.

Me, too!

i just dont want to embarass myself. i've had some spectacular crashes when i've been skiing with people for the first time, so i dont know how succesful i've been there.

Yeah, I've had that happen.

I do get really worried about holding people back... and I will say that having a group to follow makes me just do it and stop overthinking. I ski much faster when I'm with others (which isn't always a good thing, but mostly is as it's getting me out of my comfort zone and helping me advance). But mostly I just do my best to keep up.