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PartyBullshiit
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How to teach a recent freeskiing convert?

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562056961108
Posts: 0 - Karma: 575
something to keep your mind off JOSS

My best friend just converted to freeskiing. Joy to the world! here's the problem though.

the kid moved to colorado from texas his junior year of high school. In his misinformed youth, he snowboarded. EVERY YEAR he broke something. arm, wrist, and i think wrist again (silly snowboarders)

I'm a pretty decent skier myself (270 ons, cork spins up to nines, switch 5's, flat 3's and rodeos, and the like. no claim, just an indicator of ability. PS we're both 21), but I'm unsure as to how to teach him. Do i take him to terrain to improve his mountain skills first before the park? rails or jumps first?

Once he gets a basic understanding, I'll be fine, I'm just a little worried that I won't be able to teach him the basics you know?

any strategies?

plus KARMA for the help. thanks.
Apr 21 2010 10:24PM
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Ducky.
Posts: 5811 - Karma: 1,420
Definitely teach him to ski before you take him to the park. If you go straight to the park, he may learn how to jump and slide rails, but he will not become a good skier.

Apr 21 2010 10:29PM
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Myfirstname.
Posts: 1581 - Karma: 312
One of my biggest pet peeves is a kid who will 270 on or off a rail (for example) and then ride ridiculously far backseat the rest of the way down the hill.

For his own good, PLLLEEEAAASE make sure he gets a solid foundation of all around skiing haha.
Apr 21 2010 10:32PM
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Ducky.
Posts: 5811 - Karma: 1,420
Sorry for the dub post, but when you do get in the park, I would start with jumps. It will give him more air sense, which will help him when skiing big mountain terrain.

An as far as skiing big mountain goes, I would start of slow, and gradually get into steeper and more technical stuff like trees, drops, and others of the sort. If you spot anything he's doing wrong, correct him and maybe take him back to easier runs to work on specific things such as

- pole planting
- stance and balance
- timing and coordination
- overall body posture

Hope this helps!
Apr 21 2010 10:32PM
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Myfirstname.
Posts: 1581 - Karma: 312
i agree with that^^^ It seems that the idea of pole-planting has been lost on many recent park-only skiers, And i agree that it is not required to become a good, or even great skier, but As far as staying out of the backseat, or just promoting a good stance in general, i believe having that ability would be really beneficial.
Apr 21 2010 10:35PM
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brian.walker
Posts: 885 - Karma: 1,155

take him to the hardest run and say, "dont be a bitch, its only a double black!"

But definitly start him out on some simpler terrain and have him slowly work his way up. just start from the basic like you think you would 

Apr 21 2010 10:43PM
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