...Because I'm bored at work today and ski season seems so far away
...No, seriously, because I've been looking for a clinic for this year. ( Privates are another alternative--thanks, Divas--but if I'm travelling alone the cost gets prohibitive pretty fast).
Totally agree with you as to terrain, technique, and learning style. I don't love off piste, but I don't stay on blue groomers either. I'm comfortable on a black run, as I said with no points for style, and I'll make it down a double black but it won't be pretty. I've spent a lot of time on skiis but have had relatively few lessons, so the techniques/drills/exercises are usually new to me.
The learning style thing is huge. What do you call it when you can't learn by just hearing instructions? I need to hear what I'm supposed to do, understand why I'm doing it, watch someone else do it , try it myself, review why I'm doing it again, and keep trying. I don't do well with instructors who give me an exercise ( which I usually don't understand and so don't execute properly) and then ask "What did you feel?" I need to begin with the end in mind. I'm strong on analytical skills and weak on physical coordination and spatial orientation--so I must be compensating. But I don't know how that translates to "learning style."
FWIW, my other sport is horseback riding and I had exactly the same issues--can stay on anything, zero technique. What it took to was well-trained horses ( the analogy would be the right equipment) , private lessons weekly with a world class instructor, and a whole lot of work--I basically went back to square one and relearned to ride.
The more I think about it, the more I'm thinking private lessons and lots of them....with an instructor who suits my "learning style", once I figure out what it is!