Not progressing?

B

bob.marley

Member
Hi,

So just some background: I am 15, ski Snowbird, I learned to ski when I was 6 but never really enjoyed it and you know how that goes, if you aren't having fun, I just skied around 3 times a year or so until last year I decided to really take it up. I got to the point to where at the end of the year I was skiing at about the level of the average 13 year old grom on twintips. I wanted this year to be a big yeear as far as progression. I had in mind getting 3's solid to the point that I could float em out a bit off of most jumps. Well, this year, at least the first half of the year, I did little 180's and that sort of thing off of cat tracks and whatnot. I always procrastinated learning 3's until there was good enough soft snow. When there was finally soft snow, and someone pushing me to try, I tried about 5 times till the resort closed and I didn't land that day, next day I did like 4 little sketchy ones off a little bump jump. Well, my progression this year was definately minimal, although I am pleases with how now I can at least huck decent sized stuff and I am going noticably bigger and whatnot, but still, my 180's are sketchy, my 3's are sketchy and I haven't really done one in a long time I know. My fear has hurt me and hinders me getting better. My season is pretty much done since i am busy next few weeks. So I was wondering if anyone else hasn't progressed as much this year cuz of the low snow amounts making for firm conditions, or is it just me making an excuse. I hope to at least next year get my 3's down and start airing em out a bit. All or most of the good skiers I know are not afraid to huck, and then I know some others really scared of everything who just stick to little 180's and the occasional sketched 3, I want to move beyond that. it's easy to say to myself fuck it huck it here, but once I am actually in the situation, looking down at the jump, it is a WHOLE different story and what I thought would be no rpobem trying when thinking about it at home, standing at the top looking down at the jump, I %95 of the time pussy out.
 
Sparknotes:

I can do 180's and sometimes a 360, but i get scared before i huck it and whimp out.

Does this happen to anyone else, and how do I fix it?

 
Sparknotes:

I can do 180's and sometimes a 360, but i get scared before i huck it and whimp out.

Does this happen to anyone else, and how do I fix it?

 
Park skiing is 90% confidence, it really takes very little skill. You just have to try stuff and commit, if you commit you'll be really surprised at all the things you can suddenly do.
 
Might as well make it a triple post...

One thing that will help is if you tell your friends: Im gonna nail this three off of this." It will make you less likely to pussy out, since you wont want to dissapoint your buds
 
I think i have to disagree. I think for the first few basic tricks that's the truth but confidence isn't going to get that tail grab or get you the lock on the pretzel. There's so much balance, like air control, and skill that goes into park skiing. Edge control on rails isn't a factor of confidence either.

 
Like many, I'm from the east coast and ski in Quebec, a powder day for us is like ice for you guys. Just think about what the people of the east coast have to deal with when you think its too "icy" out. And besides, unless your hucking massive 60 footers, ice does not make a huge difference, it may hurt more, but for the majority, you should be fine
 
I Understand Your Young And i was the same a few years ago but then I realized It's a 360 not a double flip so sack up and huck it! There's always next season too man
 
Uggg, that is going to bug me all summer!

I was skimmin edits and found a good one. I would like to see my skiing eventually progress to something like in this vid aside from the flips.

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and the thing is I went to alta a few times this year and I could send that rope jump thing off of the groomer and other stuff of similair size in the vid, but when it comes to any sort of trick and style, I need work.
 
i have the same problem. i m terrified of jumps. i dont even like straight airing them because im so scared of getting the speed wrong. its weird, i can 3 really easily off small kiddy jumps, and i can 450 out of a rail, but i cannot 3 over a decent sized jump.
 
Holy shit, I'm not alone. I got a concussion a few months ago, and since, my skiing has gone to shit. I Earlier in the season, I was spinning hard with no fear, but now I'm terrified to try anything. It's sad how scared i get to throw a simple 5 now.
 
Hey I'm 14 and I was stuck in your shoes a month or two ago. I know exactly what you mean by the procrasination. I was getting frustrated. What I did was got a couple songs that pumped me up and motivated me, played them as loud as possible, and went for it! Taking a fall isn't that bad, even on an icy day. Just go for it, and land it! You won't regret it!
 
progression is all about becoming more comfortable on your skis. with this comfort level will come confidence, which as stated above, is also very important. it's easy to say, "it's just a 3, just huck it!" but actually doing that is going to be pretty intimidating if you aren't feeling comfortable or confident. I guess different things work for different people, but I have a few suggestions that worked/are working for me and may work for you:

1. Stop comparing yourself to other people. I found myself sizing people up on the hill when I was younger and it really held me back because I didn't want to fall and have the younger skiers that were better then me laugh or tell me I sucked, etc. Just focus on yourself, your skiing, and where YOU want to be.

2. Train in the off season. Get on a trampoline, get a feel for being in the air, spinning, flipping, etc. Get stronger, I bet your school has a weight room you could get in over the summer. I'm not saying you have to be a meat head weight lifter, but gaining some overall strength will not only help you feel more in-control of your skis, it will help the confidence aspect as well. If it interests you, get a mountain bike and ride some trails a few times a week. I always thought mountain biking was similar to skiing with concepts like picking a line or conserving momentum. You can challenge yourself and cycling will definitely get you in great physical shape for skiing.

3. Next season, get out of the park, and do so often. Get out and try as many different disciplines of the sport as you can. This will really help you feel comfortable on your skis, and is probably the only reason those 13 year olds are better than you: they've been on skis longer and more frequently. Learn to ski moguls, rip trees, make perfect turns on a groomer, shred powder, race your friends down the hill, whatever. When you go back in the park, you'll feel a lot more comfortable on those perfectly-shaped man made features because you'll be used to skiing any gnarly shit in your path.
 
Seriously though once you realize that everyone on the hill isn't watching you, hell most people dont care at all what you do. Once you realize that you won't feel so self conscious. It comes down to this; if your there to ski and have fun just don't give a fuck and enjoy yourself. If your there to "be cool" and "get noticed" then continue to care what people think.
 
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