Your "Aha!" moment

[Rashika]

I reckon it's definitely how many to a certain extent but also how u use your days on the snow. I will only get probably 20 days, but I try to practice something new or challenging for a few runs every time I'm there. Not simply skiing the same way from top to bottom. And mine are one day a week, occasionally 2, over 12-14 weeks so body can adapt and get ski fitter over time and handle more snow time without having breaks.
And if I can get a lesson or two that's a bonus, just too expensive to do a lot. Luckily DH used to instruct many years ago so he's always giving me tips... I'm not always good at taking them! But I try...

I would love to do many more days but work and family have to have their time as well.

 

[MrsPlow]

My new mantra for short turns in steeper terrain is 'hands down the hill'. I was watching something on YouTube where a couple of kids were being taught jump turns to ski a steep couloir and that was one of the instructions. I think I sit back defensively when it gets steep and narrow; hands down the hill puts my body in a better position to allow my legs to move and get my skis around.

 

[NWSkiGirl]

I feel this! I learned to ski for the first time when I was 27 (now I'm 40). That first year my life circumstances worked out they I was able to ski 60 days they season, I was a very solid advanced intermediate skier by then. The next few years I barely got 30 days in each season and I just seemed to plateau in my ability and confidence. I find that if I can get in at least 40 days where there are a few consecutive strerches of at least 5 days then confidence and ability continue to grow. I've also learned like 90% of my ability is based on my confidence!

Yes, the same for me! The year I started skiing I skied and skied and skied, and people were saying how fast I progressed and how I was a natural. But now I realize it was only because I skied so much I had no fear. haha I think my technique has improved so much, but I have never been that comfortable on black terrain as I was that first year!

 

[Briski]

I was 17 at a ski instructor’s clinic in Snowmass and one of the other women told me “push the bush, f*** the mountain”, regarding turn initiation. I’m 50 and fat now - but when things aren’t coming together for me I remind myself to push the bush. Crude sexual reference, but effective.

 

[HuntersEmma57]

Yes, the same for me! The year I started skiing I skied and skied and skied, and people were saying how fast I progressed and how I was a natural. But now I realize it was only because I skied so much I had no fear. haha I think my technique has improved so much, but I have never been that comfortable on black terrain as I was that first year!

I'd heard and then had the opportunity to experience the magic of surpassing 60 days in a season as well. I no longer had to think about technique or body position. I just skied. I could visualize 3-4 turns ahead and the trees just opened up. The refrain, "look where you want to go, not at what you want to miss. Your skis/bike will go where you're looking" became automatic. This, by the way, is Lesson#1 in tree skiing and mountain biking. I still suck at mountain biking, but at least I don't hit stuff. The skiing thing is going pretty well.

 

[Ms Mia]

I was 17 at a ski instructor’s clinic in Snowmass and one of the other women told me “push the bush, f*** the mountain”, regarding turn initiation. I’m 50 and fat now - but when things aren’t coming together for me I remind myself to push the bush. Crude sexual reference, but effective.

I've never heard this, but it will from now on be my mantra!

 

[Ms Mia]

Not sure this is what you're referring to but mine have mostly been equipment related... After getting new boots that are much stiffer and tighter boots my skiing ability literally transformed overnight. I still have some tweaking to do with my boot set up (I think custom footbeds are going to be the answer to some of the pain/cramping I get) but looking back I'm impressed I could even make it down some of the stuff I did before with how much heel movement I had. Getting longer and stiffer skis has also boosted my confidence a lot.

My "aha" moment was also equipment related, and is what inspired me to join the Ski Diva forum! I've been skiing on some old skis we literally found on the street for several years. I invested in good boots, and because I considered myself a long- time beginner, I was happy just to have skis to practice with. But this year, as I started skiing for a couple of hours several days a week (we live less than a kilometre from the local resort), I realised I was fighting these skis every time I picked up speed, and having to talk myself down the mountain. I figured I was ready to invest in skis, did a LOT of online research, which included lots of posts from this forum, and then went and demoed some skis. Got some great advice and guidance from the shop owner, who really listened to my feedback and made tailored suggestions, and just trying all four skis I tested TRANSFORMED my experience! I instantly became a better skier. I realised I've been skiing on two heavy planks of wood that are too long for me and very, very used (so probably very flat).

I fell in love with the Volkl Flair 79, managed to get an extra discount on a brand new pair, and all of a sudden I'm a confident intermediate skier, raving to everyone who will listen that EQUIPMENT IS EVERYTHING!

 

[LaPetiteMaimai]

My "aha" moment was also equipment related, and is what inspired me to join the Ski Diva forum! I've been skiing on some old skis we literally found on the street for several years. I invested in good boots, and because I considered myself a long- time beginner, I was happy just to have skis to practice with. But this year, as I started skiing for a couple of hours several days a week (we live less than a kilometre from the local resort), I realised I was fighting these skis every time I picked up speed, and having to talk myself down the mountain. I figured I was ready to invest in skis, did a LOT of online research, which included lots of posts from this forum, and then went and demoed some skis. Got some great advice and guidance from the shop owner, who really listened to my feedback and made tailored suggestions, and just trying all four skis I tested TRANSFORMED my experience! I instantly became a better skier. I realised I've been skiing on two heavy planks of wood that are too long for me and very, very used (so probably very flat).

I fell in love with the Volkl Flair 79, managed to get an extra discount on a brand new pair, and all of a sudden I'm a confident intermediate skier, raving to everyone who will listen that EQUIPMENT IS EVERYTHING!

Totally agree on the critical role of proper equipment! I started with rentals and I never realized the boots, while they fit, were still too loose for my (narrow) foot. Ever since I got my own gear with a bootfitter, I can feel the difference as it relates to proper control of my skis.

 

[floatingyardsale]

This is the dumbest thing ever but I realized this weekend that when I pressure the front of my boot, I lift my toes to close the ankle.

It turns out that when I do big toe little toe with the toes instead on the ball of the foot (ever so slightly backseat, or not backseat but with a deeper knee bend and forward lean) literally everything improves. I was skiing with a beginner friend and made pretty carves all over the greens.

Now I'm wondering if a heel lift might help.