Greatinstructing.com
A different approach to skiing
If you want a friend or family member to ski
What run would you start on?
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What would you tell them, follow me, turn, it is easy?
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Will they just figure it out on their own with a little time?
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Should they follow you to harder runs because they just need a bigger challenge?
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Beyond "Just do it" Video
More than 80 percent of first timers do not become skiers​. Most learn on their own or from family or friends who go to terrain that is too difficult and it causes fear, frustration, or accidents so they just quit.
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Skiing is usually treated as something fun to do without preparation like tubing or a sport that just takes time to figure out. When first timers are told "follow me" on runs that are too challenging, it makes skiing dangerous.
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Even for the 20 percent who become skiers, this "just do it" approach leads to defensive skiing
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Before skiing
Get a great start by practicing Ski Moves before skiing for the first time to know what to do and how to do it.
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73 percent skiers ski less than six times a year, it takes more practice to improve before skiing.
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The way we move naturally is opposite the moves we need for skiing. Skiing without knowing what to do makes learning more difficult, reduces safety, slows improvement, and causes a lot of people to not become skiers. Ski Moves take time to develop and maintain and your ski score provides clear goals.
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​​ Lessons
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Everyone learns in their own way and at their own pace which makes private lessons better. Your progress depends on your age, fitness, ability, knowledge, and amount of quality practice. But it takes more than a one hour lesson.
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Private lessons with a good instructor provide guidance and feedback, but they can be expensive and hard to find especially at busy times of the season. Ask your instructor to help you improve your ski score, they want to help you reach your goal and can take video of your skiing. Less expensive beginner group lessons can be large and taught by instructors with little experience.
A first time skier is not ready to ski the same slopes as experienced skiers after a lesson. Choosing the proper terrain is critical to improving.
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Do it yourself video
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You can ski more, watch others, and follow good skiers, but it is easier if you know what moves to make.
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Our comparisons help you to see if you are making Ski Moves. ​
Focus on how you ski rather than just skiing harder runs. Traditional instruction focuses on fixing the effects of a "just do it" start, our approach focuses on what causes the problems.
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Get Control
Skiers often like the challenge and freedom of trying to learn on their own, but most end up back on their skis and turning from the top down turning their shoulders and leaning inside the turn.
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These natural moves can provide a sense of success, but make it hard to ski slower, make smaller turns, and make parallel turns.
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Skiers want better control to ski more difficult runs, but some people don't think they are capable of improving while others think they are so good they don't need to improve because they do not have a score like in golf. But, everyone can improve, even competitive skiers have coaches.
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Beyond speed
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An emphasis on carving results in many people skiing faster then they can control. There is more to skiing than going fast on steep slopes.​
Hitting another skier or tree at 30 MPH is like falling off a three story building which causes catastrophic accidents and deaths.
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As skiers age they may quit if they feel skiing is too hard on their body because they can not ski slower. Skiing slower with some skidding gives you more control and helps you ski longer
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Simple and Consistent
Skiing moves are simple, but that does not mean easy because it is hard to develop Ski Moves that are opposite how we naturally move.
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It takes time to replace natural moves with Ski Moves and they are a constant challenge to maintain
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Ski Moves are timeless, it is about good execution. A consistent focus is needed. Looking for different ways to say the same thing is helpful, but looking for a new technique makes learning harder.
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Precise timing is the formula that describes how to make Ski Moves, it goes beyond a list of fundamentals
About
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SkiMoves.com was developed, tested, and refined for more than 20 years using video analysis software with skiers of all levels from beginners to top athletes. We worked with US Ski Team's National Development System, the Professional Ski Instructors of America, National Ski Patrol trainers, the US Special Forces trainers, and training directors from major resorts like Vail to small local resorts. Thanks to all the coaches and instructors we worked with over the years especially Walt Evans, the former director of the National Development System.
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