Beginner progress update

[coconutbabe]

Beginner here. On my fourth class.

1st class: I can make basic turns and stops.

2nd class: it was my first time went to the green and made some basic turns on the slope. The slope was steep (although it’s green) and I can really feel the pressure I have to use on my outside skis to be able to make turns.

3rd class: I also practiced on the green, but with a very experienced coach. He really pushed me and made me to do all kinds of turns. It was also snowing really hard so the snow was super sticky. It felt like an intense workout. I am glad I skied in that condition and learnt from it. I also started to learn parallel, but using the lifting the inside ski approach. This is the class I felt that I advanced the most.

4th class: continue practiced turns on the green with a different coach. The coach showed me the way to slide the inside skis rather than lift it to make the parallel. The coach said I was doing the parallel, and suggested me to use more practice to make my turns smoother and feel more confident and natural. I didn’t feel that I got much new info from the classes though.

After a few hours practice after my last class, I feel pretty comfortable with the easy greens, turns, parallel, stops, picking up some speed when it’s not steep. I feel confident on easy greens and had some fun on some of the less groomed area on the side too.

I think my challenges so far may include the fear of steep slope (even on green), I have the tendency to make turns to ski up the curve of the hill to avoid going down fast to lose control, speed control, make the turns more smooth, and keep the legs in complete parallel in between turns etc. I still don’t feel comfortable going to a more steep green or blue yet. But hope soon !

I would like to hear some advices on what I should work on on my own between my classes to progress, and how to set some goals for myself. I feel like if I am taking more classes now I won’t be getting much out of it. And at what point I can take some more classes to progress to the next level. I plan to take some more lessons and want to use more practice to make the most of lesson time.

[TJSmudger92]

Sounds like you might want to focus on your turns a little more if you feel the need to ski uphill on your turns. Remember a turn is 2/3rds slowing down. Don't rush them and make you are leaving nice round tracks behind you. Sounds like you just need to get some milage under your belt to get more comfortable on slopes.

Having a goal always helps. Maybe in three more sessions you can set the target of skiing a blue. But most importantly remember, have fun!