Introduction
Hey there, it’s great to have you here! Today, I want to share some valuable insights with you from Graham Bell, a five-time Olympic skier and the founder of the Perfect Turns coaching app. In a recent video, Graham discusses how fear can affect skiers of all levels and offers some fantastic tips on conquering those fears to make the most of your time on the mountain.
Key Points
Fear Triggers
Fear trigger points for skiers can be categorized into internal anxieties and external threats. Internal anxieties include emotional responses to potential outcomes like fear of falling, injury, or being the slowest in the group. External threats are the actual obstacles you may encounter on the mountain, such as icy conditions, steep slopes, bumps, crevasses, or avalanches.
Exposure and Experience
The more you expose yourself to situations that scare you, the better equipped you’ll be to handle them. Different skiing backgrounds shape how skiers perceive challenges. For example, growing up skiing on icy slopes versus in white-out conditions can significantly impact your comfort level with different terrains.
Coping Strategies
When faced with steep slopes, try to match the gradient of the slope with your shoulders to distribute weight evenly on your skis. On crowded slopes, sticking to the middle allows faster skiers to pass you more safely. For icy conditions, ensure your edges are sharp and maintain pressure on the outside ski. In slushy snow, take plenty of rests as it is more physically demanding.
Poor Visibility
In situations of poor visibility, like skiing in a white-out, rely on senses other than sight. Closing your eyes momentarily can heighten your other senses, helping you navigate the terrain. Visualizing yourself skiing with confidence and great technique can also enhance your skiing performance.
Mental Skills and Enjoyment
Just as physical and technical training are essential in skiing, mental skills can be learned and honed to improve your overall experience on the mountain. By mastering your fears and mental approach to skiing, you can truly enjoy all that the mountains have to offer.
Related Questions
1. How can exposure to challenging ski conditions help improve your skills?
Exposing yourself to challenging ski conditions can help you become more comfortable and skilled in handling them. The more you face your fears, the better equipped you’ll be to conquer them in the future.
2. What coping strategies can be effective for skiing on steep slopes?
Matching the gradient of the slope with your shoulders can help distribute weight evenly on your skis, allowing for better control and stability on steep terrain.
3. How can skiers deal with poor visibility while on the mountain?
In situations of poor visibility, closing your eyes momentarily can heighten your other senses, such as touch and hearing, to navigate the terrain effectively.
4. Why is mental training as important as physical and technical training in skiing?
Mental training in skiing can significantly impact your overall performance and enjoyment on the mountain. By mastering your fears and mental approach, you can ski with more confidence and skill.
5. How can visualisation improve skiing performance?
Visualizing yourself skiing with confidence and great technique can help improve your skiing performance by mentally preparing you for different scenarios on the mountain. It allows you to feel yourself skiing rather than just seeing the movements in your mind’s eye.
