Second, there is no easy way to learn to make an expert turn. Let me repeat, there is NO EASY WAY to learn to make an expert turn. A non-expert skier is scared of falling. Having broken a leg and an arm, I can understand why. The tendency is to lean into the slope so as to feel confident that if they are to fall, they will fall the relatively short and benign distance onto the uphill side of the slope and onto the soft, fleshy (and in my case, extra padded) tushy. In an expert turn, the skier has to have faith that every move will be executed properly and on time without thought. That means that if anything is off, the effect will be to launch yourself, not unlike a missile, down the mountain, FACE FIRST.
I named this maneuver a “face plant” because it was like planting your ski pole but using your face instead. In the effort to learn to be an expert skier, I performed many a face plant. To truly understand how difficult this process is, you must realize how painful each face plant is. Not only have you been punched in the face, but some of that snow (often ice) feels like a brick. The pain radiates down your entire body, especially your chest because after the face plant you land with a thud on your chest. Then there is the fact that your face is covered in freezing snow, which as it melts now saturates your clothing. I don’t mean to sound as if I am trying to discourage others from becoming expert skiers. Quite the opposite is true. I would liken the experience to childbirth, long after the pain has been forgotten is the pleasure of knowing your child (of course that equation is somewhat skewed during the trying teenage years). After the joy of my own family, I am most appreciative to Mike for giving me the gift of being an expert skier. I don’t remember the face plants really anymore; but every time I glide down a slope and experience the exhilaration, I don’t know if I can even find words to explain the joy and thrill that I feel. Mike got me to understand that I had to trust the turn and that I would eventually be rewarded by being able to complete the turn. Obviously, as I returned to teachers again and again, I wanted to be an expert skier. But that would never happen if I tried to find an easy and safe way; Mike got me to understand that.
Ira Riklis continues with his thoughts on skiing:
“Second, there is no easy way to learn to make an expert turn. Let me repeat, there is NO EASY WAY to learn to make an expert turn.
“A non-expert skier is scared of falling. Having broken a leg and an arm, I can understand why. The tendency is to lean into the slope so as to feel confident that if they are to fall, they will fall the relatively short and benign distance onto the uphill side of the slope and onto the soft, fleshy (and in my case, extra padded) tushy.
“In an expert turn, the skier has to have faith that every move will be executed properly and on time without thought. That means that if anything is off, the effect will be to launch yourself, not unlike a missile, down the mountain, FACE FIRST.”
Ira Riklis explains further:
“I named this maneuver a “face plant” because it was like planting your ski pole but using your face instead.
“In the effort to learn to be an expert skier, I performed many a face plant. To truly understand how difficult this process is, you must realize how painful each face plant is. Not only have you been punched in the face, but some of that snow (often ice) feels like a brick.
“The pain radiates down your entire body, especially your chest because after the face plant you land with a thud on your chest. Then there is the fact that your face is covered in freezing snow, which as it melts now saturates your clothing.
“I don’t mean to sound as if I am trying to discourage others from becoming expert skiers. Quite the opposite is true. I would liken the experience to childbirth, long after the pain has been forgotten is the pleasure of knowing your child (of course that equation is somewhat skewed during the trying teenage years).
“After the joy of my own family, I am most appreciative to Mike for giving me the gift of being an expert skier. I don’t remember the face plants really anymore; but every time I glide down a slope and experience the exhilaration, I don’t know if I can even find words to explain the joy and thrill that I feel. Mike got me to understand that I had to trust the turn and that I would eventually be rewarded by being able to complete the turn.
“Obviously, as I returned to teachers again and again, I wanted to be an expert skier. But that would never happen if I tried to find an easy and safe way; Mike got me to understand that.”
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[...] Ira Riklis talks about how learning to ski and overcome fears is part of becoming an expert skier. It also applies to life. There isn’t a shortcut unfortunately. You have to face the fear of falling (or failing). “…there is no easy way to learn to make an expert turn. Let me repeat, there is NO EASY WAY to learn to make an expert turn…A non-expert skier is scared of falling. Having broken a leg and an arm, I can understand why. The tendency is to lean into the slope so as to feel confident…” [...]