Why people don't take lessons

[hammer]

A post this morning had me thinking...why don't people take more lessons? Is it because of the cost? Is it because they think that they ski well enough that they are better than most of the available instructors and don't feel that they need lessons? Is it out of fear of criticism, no matter how constructive?

I try to make it a goal to get one lesson in a season. I am still at the level where I have a lot to improve, but I'd imagine that even if I was at a comparable skill level to many instructors, it would still help to get some analysis and coaching on occasion.

 

[bvibert]

I always say I'm going to take more lessons every year, but I never take any. I guess it's because I'd rather just go out and ski than take the chance of getting a sub-par instructor and/or being stuck in a crappy group (way too cheap/poor for private lessons). I think I learn more from skiing with guys that are better than I am, especially guys who are former instructors who keep their PSIA training up to date and are willing to give pointers while on the hill.

 

[ajl50]

I think people don't take lessons because they like their habits, don't think they need to get better and if they recognize they can get better, don't think they need help to get better. It's the same reason that people don't ask for directions- they have an ego. The one hour private lessons I've taken have changed my game so much. They make a better skier each time even if all the instructor does is point out bad habits I've picked up like keeping my hands in my pockets...

 

[Greg]

I always say I'm going to take more lessons every year, but I never take any. I guess it's because I'd rather just go out and ski than take the chance of getting a sub-par instructor and/or being stuck in a crappy group (way too cheap/poor for private lessons). I think I learn more from skiing with guys that are better than I am, especially guys who are former instructors who keep their PSIA training up to date and are willing to give pointers while on the hill.

^^^ What he said ^^^

I've never taken a lesson. No offense to PSIA or anything, but I'm not interested in learning how to carve better and all that. Not that I wouldn't get something out of a lesson, but it's pretty well demonstrated that the PSIA approach to bumps is sub-par, and that's where I need the most help. If Dan Dipiro mogul clinics come to pass this season however, I'll definitely be interested in that.

 

[deadheadskier]

I think for me, the reason I don't take any lessons is the time commitment. Not that I can't afford to take an hour out of my day to learn something, but it's just the hassle of setting up the lesson and all that. I pretty much get to the mountain, boot up in the parking lot and go.

I would be interested in taking a camp though in improving my abilities in the air. I'm not interested in hucking huge in the park anymore, but to be able to throw 360's again like I did in high school would be cool. Suppose I could just work on it again by myself, but age and injury are concerns of mine with work obligations these days.

 

[threecy]

Also...
a) Hastle
2) Think they're already good
c) Remember lessons as being a hastle from when they were in school ski programs
4) Don't want people to see they're in ski school

 

[ctenidae]

I'd rather be skiing.

 

[tcharron]

A post this morning had me thinking...why don't people take more lessons? Is it because of the cost? Is it because they think that they ski well enough that they are better than most of the available instructors and don't feel that they need lessons? Is it out of fear of criticism, no matter how constructive?

I try to make it a goal to get one lesson in a season. I am still at the level where I have a lot to improve, but I'd imagine that even if I was at a comparable skill level to many instructors, it would still help to get some analysis and coaching on occasion.

Because part of the fun is getting it on your own. Unfortunatly, now that my 7 year old his on black terrain, it IS time for me to take a few lessons.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

^^^ What he said ^^^

I've never taken a lesson. No offense to PSIA or anything, but I'm not interested in learning how to carve better and all that. Not that I wouldn't get something out of a lesson, but it's pretty well demonstrated that the PSIA approach to bumps is sub-par, and that's where I need the most help. If Dan Dipiro mogul clinics come to pass this season however, I'll definitely be interested in that.

Of course you'd get something out of it. Developing a strong overall technique benefits all aspects of a person's skiing.

What is the PSIA approach to bumps is sub-par?

You're thinking like a one trick pony.

 

[Greg]

I think people don't take lessons because they like their habits, don't think they need to get better and if they recognize they can get better, don't think they need help to get better. It's the same reason that people don't ask for directions- they have an ego.

Also...
2) Think they're already good
4) Don't want people to see they're in ski school

I definitely don't think that I can't use improvement and I'm far from where I want to be skill-wise. I just don't think that paying for a PSIA group lesson will help me where I want to improve most (moguls). I get much more out of simply skiing with guys that are better than me, and logging as many miles in the bumps as possible. Plus, if you want the tips, skiing with JimG. can be like a free private lesson, although I think he understands the shortcomings of the PSIA approach, especially in the bumps.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Lots of people do want lessons. Most mountains can't staff enough snowsports instructors to keep up with demand.

I take 2 clinics a year and always get something out of it.

 

[St. Jerry]

1. Expensive.
2. Takes time away from skiing with friends/family.

 

[threecy]

I definitely don't think that I can't use improvement and I'm far from where I want to be skill-wise. I just don't think that paying for a PSIA group lesson will help me where I want to improve most (moguls).

Moguls moguls moguls. Mogul skiers are about as common as Tab drinkers nowadays

 

[Greg]

Of course you'd get something out of it. Developing a strong overall technique benefits all aspects of a person's skiing.

I said I probably would get something out of it. No argument there.

What is the PSIA approach to bumps is sub-par?

Read this thread:
http://forums.mogulskiing.net/viewtopic.php?t=296

Seriously, read the whole thing, and view all the vids. Take note especially of the Bode video. Bode is a helluva skier, no doubt, but just look how uncomfortable he looks in the bumps. It's my (and many others') feeling that the WC style approach to bumps is the best and most efficient. After all, if that's the way the pros do it, it has to be, right? It's pretty well known that most PSIA instructors don't even teach this approach. Some even scoff at it. Dipiro's book comes at you specifically from this angle. Just read the title of it - http://forums.alpinezone.com/5633-everything-instructors-never-told-you-about-mogul-skiing.html. I'll probably never ski like a world cup bumper, but it's the style I'm trying to emulate.

You're thinking like a one trick pony.

No argument there and I'm okay with your observation. If there's no powder and I'm not dabbling in the trees, I'll be in the bumps. I wouldn't want it any other way. In my opinion, groomers are only good for getting to/from the bumps, or if skiing with others that aren't as into the bumps as me.

 

[Greg]

Moguls moguls moguls. Mogul skiers are about as common as Tab drinkers nowadays

It's a travesty, isn't it?

 

[KingM]

My knees were so stiff after skiing Castlerocks several times in one week last year (bet you can guess when) that I've determined I'm not going to ski anymore moguls until I've had a lesson. There's a day up here a couple of days before Christmas where lessons are dirt cheap. It's SB's way of getting their instructors up to speed, I think. I'm hoping to take a bumps class this year to improve my crappy technique.

 

[kcyanks1]

If I go away for a week trip someplace I often (not always) try to take one lesson. But otherwise, I only ski 10-15 days a year, and want to be skiing with the people I'm going with. It's possible to take a lesson together, of course, but when I'm just going away for 1-2 days I feel like I just want to ski the stuff I want to ski and not worry about the lesson. I'd think if I were to ski more I'd consider taking more lessons, or perhaps if I went away alone for a weekend and couldn't find anyone to meet up with. Cost is also part of it.

 

[2knees]

for me, its just being too lazy. I know i should take some lessons and i know i'd get a lot out of them but thats as far as i get. thinking about it, not acting on it.

 

[Greg]

for me, its just being too lazy. I know i should take some lessons and i know i'd get a lot out of them but thats as far as i get. thinking about it, not acting on it.

Cut the bullshit. You just want to beeline to the bumps like me... Lesson shmlesson...

 

[wa-loaf]

My father was an instructor when I was little, but for most of my teen and adult years I've only had a lesson once. I took a trip to St Moritz and a lesson was included. It was the European method where you just follow along behind the instructor. I got bored and started skiing out of the line and got the instructor annoyed. I did pick up a couple carving tips from it, but if I had paid I would have been disappointed. I'd like to take private lesson and really be evaluated, but I don't want to give up the time or money.

I find I pick up a lot by watching other good skiers and emulating what they do. I think when you have skied enough you can see what someone else is doing and picture it in your head and feel the motion, edging and snow before you even do it.