2019.12 @ Breckenridge Colorado
Spent 7 days skiing in Breckenridge Colorado, 2019/12/21–2019/12/27. Of the 7 days skiing, I spent 3 days skiing without a coach. On the 3rd day while I was on the lift, I met a Breckenridge ski school coach. We chatted a bit and I mentioned that I want to learn how to ski moguls, he strongly recommended me to take Elevate lessons if I really want to polish my skills, and the price is fairly reasonable.
That night I did some research and the price does sound more reasonable than the price in Tahoe — 3 days package 500 bucks. Single day lesson is 245 bucks, basically buy 2 get 1 free. However, I have skied by myself for 3 days and I had already felt complaints from my quad mussels, I debated fiercely in my mind if I should take this 3 day classes. It would be quite a big commitment to ski for another 3 days. In the end, the word “purpose” hits my mind.. I came here to uplevel my ski skills. I should have stayed on a coach at home watching movies if I look for a rest. From the experience of the past couple days, I don’t see much improvements just skiing myself. So I committed this 3 day ski lesson package, and this has been the best decision I have ever made in my ski journey.
This has been the second time I took a class, still remember the first time I took the class back in 2016/2017 season when I had no clue how to ski.
After this second time of ski lessons, I believe:
Ski with a coach is the way to improve your skills.
It is also not as tired as you ski yourself, the instructor picks an optimal route and help you connect turns to make it a bliss to ski top to bottom.
Ski progress
2016/2017 (2 days): 0 to ~level 2
2017/2018 (12 days): level 2 -> level 6
2018/2019 (4 days): no idea how to get into advanced levels.
2019/2020 (7 days so far): level 6 -> level 7+, thinking of taking a tour to Vancouver for the mogul clinics to get to solid level 8.
Some takeaways from these sessions:
- Drills: jump skis to find balance point
- Drills: hockey slide and hockey stop.
- Bumps: skidding on the lower half of the bumps for speed control
- Balance: your quad mussels should not feel tired, abs should be the place. If your quad mussels feel tired, something is wrong with your balance.
- Balance: find position 2 of your posture.
- Balance: use core mussels to stabilize upper body instead of using quad or other mussels. Practice by pushing belly button towards spine.
- Upper lower body separation: hip should not move when your turn, move your leges.
- Upper lower body separation: face downhill.
- Pole: always plant before your turn. This gives your a better timing & rhythm to turn and also help you balance.
- Pole: keep poles & hands in the front, you should be able to see your hands at the corner your goggles.
- Patience: be patient when on the bumps, don’t make turn too fast.