Fast or pretty?

[ski diva]

Which do you prefer: skiing fast or skiing pretty? Is it possible to combine the two? And if not, which do you prefer?

I'm more about skiing pretty. I try to focus more on technique than on speed -- not that I like to crawl, either, but I'm no racer.

What about you?

 

[Jilly]

I'm not a racer either, but I like speed. And since I can't seem to find Diva's to ski with, I'm off with the boys. So, you gotta keep up. But as an instructor I need to ski pretty. So it really depends on who, what and where I'm skiing.

 

[volklgirl]

Both?!

Years of PSIA indoctrination have given me "pretty", but the racer in me likes the speed. Unlike my team mates, however, I don't feel the need to go flat-out all the time. I really think the years and years of PSIA training is seriously interferring with my racing....my mind just won't let my body get ugly enough to go really, really fast.

 

[Pequenita]

The speed comes with the pretty to some extent, no? Everyone should be able to ski pretty at slower speeds, but to ski pretty at speed, that's something I aspire to.

 

[Lisamarie]

You divas who like pretty (like me) would adore Nolo's group at ESA. Talk about pretty skiing!

 

[liquidfeet]

I don't know what I look like when skiing!!!!!!!! I know when it feels good, that's all. I do know when someone else is pretty, and boy I want that.

Don't you think legs together is more elegant than cowboy legs when skiing? But all the instruction I hear says widen the stance. Beautiful graceful skiers who slide down the white with ankles almost touching are denigrated for skiing "old school." I think old school is pretty.

I think wedelening is pretty, too. Especially when someone does it along the edge of the trail where there is a thin line of snow left.

Also, expert boyz on boards are sometimes very pretty, because they get to wave their arms around. We don't get to do that.

 

[skigirl]

I have to say pretty. I like to look pretty slow or fast. Pretty at slow speeds is just as hard as pretty at fast speeds. There is nothing prettier than someone in contol on a black diamond while everyone else flies by them out of control.

 

[Quiver Queen]

I like the idea of skiing pretty fast.

 

[num]

Part of me would like to say pretty, because I think there's no point flopping around the hill at high speeds. I like the idea of getting technique down, and I'm a fan of spending a bunch of time practicing the drills from a lesson I just took.

However, I love to go fast! I didn't realize how fast I ski when left to my own devices until a lesson a took at a hill I was just trying out, and the instructor wanted me to ski down however I like to sum me up before the lesson, and when I finished the run I had to wait for her at the bottom, and she when she got there she just said "damn, you should've told me you go FAST!"I told her I didn't realize that I ski fast, she said "BS" :o

I feel like I'm too new to have a type yet. I'd love to ski fast and well, but in the mean time I'm gonna focus on trying to learn technique, and just enjoying speed.

 

[ISki]

I ski fast, pretty, old school.

 

[sleddog]

After years of PSIA being pounded into my head, I've learned to "ski the slow line fast". So... I think I do both - ski pretty and fast.

When watching other skiers - I think seeing athleticism on the hill - a true carved turn with the edges hooking up before crossing the fall line is beauty - skiing fast and in control!

 

[Thatsagirl]

I guess I fall into the old school, pretty category. I can ski fast and still ski pretty, but I do not prefer to ski at high speeds. I like to take in the beauty of my surroundings while I ski. Also, since I do most of my skiing off-piste, I find that unless I have a wide-open space, it is not very practical to ski fast. You have to pay close attention for natural obstacles that you wouldn't come across on groomers.

I have been known to let 'em rip on an empty groomer, but I will not ski at high speeds when there are others on the slope, simply because I do not believe it is safe.

Thatsagirl

 

[num]

I have been known to let 'em rip on an empty groomer, but I will not ski at high speeds when there are others on the slope, simply because I do not believe it is safe.

Thatsagirl

I agree. I think that's why I've come to enjoy night skiing so much, I get the run to myself a lot.

 

[BatGirl]

The speed comes with the pretty to some extent, no? Everyone should be able to ski pretty at slower speeds, but to ski pretty at speed, that's something I aspire to.

ITA. I've been able to go fast on my inline skates, but it wasn't pretty. Once I started working on my technique, it got pretty, and it got faster. I think if you can get the technique down at slow speeds, it becomes second nature. Therefore, it "just happens" when you need it to at higher speeds.

 

[liquidfeet]

I feel like I'm too new to have a type yet. I'm gonna focus on trying to learn technique, and just enjoying speed.

So how new to skiing are you??????? I'm a noobee too, so I'm interested. I love speed as well, but know that doing stuff slowly that comes easily at speed is more difficult, and a treasure to seek.

 

[liquidfeet]

After years of PSIA being pounded into my head, I've learned to "ski the slow line fast".

Correct me, or congratulate me for being right ....

Skiing the slow line fast means making long wide turns, being smooth, thus lingering in the fall line, carving those turns sweetly with big essses, thus picking up speed (it would actually be a slow line if it looked like a zigzag of zzzzs instead of s-curves.)

Skiing the fast line slow means skiing a narrow, quick turn, zipper line s-l-o-w-l-y. Which is really really really difficult. You have to super-complete your turns to slow that line down.

OK, so, am I right here?

 

[ski diva]

Found this old, old, OLD thread and thought I'd bump it up. Which do you prefer?

 

[Fluffy Kitty]

Could I introduce another choice? "Strong" as in "in control."

At least that's what I like to watch. Can't say I'm any of these things, or that I'm even trying hard enough.

 

[MissySki]

I like when it feels like a dance, so I'll go with skiing "pretty". I'm more of a finesse than power skier, and I don't feel the need to be the first one down the mountain at any given time.

 

[nopoleskier]

LOL, those that know me... I'll say I'm a "pretty" fast skier..
yes, I do get complimented on my 'style'
I agree with @MissySki when it feels like dancing it is the BEST!
But even when I think I'm going slowly, others say I'm still going fast.