SkiMoves.com
A different approach to skiing
See
How you move
Compare
To Ski Moves
Improve
With clear goals
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First time Success Video
More than 80 percent of first timers who take a beginner lesson do not become skiers​. But less than half take a lesson and the ones who do not have an even harder time. You need to plan well and prepare to make the first time a success.
Most learn on their own or from family or friends who go to runs that are too difficult and it causes fear, frustration, or accidents. Even the ones who take a beginner lesson often go with friends to slopes that are too difficult after the lesson thinking that a beginner lesson is all they need to ski with their experienced friends.
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People expect skiing is a fun activity that is easy to do with little preparation, and are disappointed or feel that they do not have what it takes to become skiers.
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Less expensive beginner group lessons are often large and have a range of people from fast learners to ones who need a much slower pace. If you need a slower pace you may feel frustrated and that skiing is not for you. Then your friends take you to runs that seem easy to them but that are too difficult, they don't realize it is too hard or think you just need more challenge and will figure it out. You can end up more frustrated and make even more defensive survival moves. When it is over you are relieved, and don't plan to return.
​If you go to slopes that are too challenging, it is dangerous for you and other skiers. You can't try skydiving without training but may think it is ok to head down a slope on skis and you don't know what to do or if you are doing it.
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Maybe you pick a day and do not reschedule even if a blizzard is forecasted, or there are high winds and temperatures well below zero predicted, or a rain storm the day before followed by freezing temperatures, or a 60 degree heat wave creating thick heavy snow. The attitude is we can handle anything, but the reality is that does not work for more than 80 percent of first timers who never become skiers. Careful planning creates more success.
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If you return​​
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For the 20 percent who become skiers, this random "just do it" we can handle anything approach leads to skiing with defensive natural moves that slow improvement, make skiing less safe, and are harder to fix later.
They are often athletic, thrill seekers, enjoy the sensation of speed, and want the freedom of trying to do it on their own. Their main goals are more challenging runs and skiing faster.
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Only about 7 percent of skier visits involve lessons. It is hard to know how well you ski, many think they are good and do not need to improve. Some are recreational skiers and do not want to focus on improving. Others think they can't improve.
People often take lessons when they want more control on challenging slopes or to ski in more difficult conditions. Parents often want their kids to be able to slow down and turn more on steeper slopes or to ski with their skis parallel. It takes more than one lesson to reach these goals, and the longer you ski on your own with natural moves the more it takes.
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Before skiing
The goal is to replace the way you move naturally with simple Ski Moves. But simple does not mean easy, it takes patience, clear goals, and specific feedback to improve and maintain Ski Moves.
Practice 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, more practice before skiing helps you to improve.
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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, and causes a lot of people to not become skiers.
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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, goals, and amount of quality practice. It takes more than one 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. Beginner group lessons can be large and contain fast learners but also people who need a lot of extra help.
Ask your instructors to help you improve your ski moves, they want to help you reach your goals. 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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It is hard to know how your moving, our comparisons help you to see if you are making Ski Moves. ​Partner with a friend to video each other and work as a team to analyze your video.
People don't look at top gymnasts and think, "I could do that", but they think they can ski like top skiers because they do not know the time, talent, and training involved. Focus on how you ski rather than just skiing harder runs. ​
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Ski in control ​
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An emphasis on carving results in many people skiing faster then they can control. Apps that track vertical feet maximum speed and create leader boards make the slopes less safe as skiers compete for top places.
Hitting another skier or tree at 30 MPH is like falling off a three story building which causes catastrophic accidents and deaths. Most skiers taking a lesson are looking for more control on steeper slopes and in more challenging conditions.
​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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Ski in control is the first item on "Your Responsibility Code", but many cannot ski in control.
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Your ski score
There is no score in skiing like in golf so many skiers do not know they could improve. Even top competitive skiers have coaches to guide their improvement. Our ski score allow you to compare video of your skiing to a model skier and shows you how to improve.
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 with 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, parallel turns, and ski in control.
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Simple and Consistent
Skiing moves are simple, but that does not mean easy because 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 new techniques 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.
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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.
About
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There is endless debate about what good skiing is which is often resolved by people saying "I know it when I see it", or it does not matter just have fun. But many people do not have fun and do not become skiers, and the ones who do often struggle to improve, or lack control and make the slopes dangerous.
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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 looking at what moves people have in common not just the differences. 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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