First Turns of the Season

[Tricia]

Every year when I get ready to head out on the snow for the first time I actually have the thought in my head, "Did I forget how to do this?"

Last Thursday was my first day on snow which was met with new boots which don't have all the usual work done on them that they usually do so I was a little anxious about that, too. I was fortunate enough to have @Philpug with me which always makes me chill, and @4ster who had some nice tips for me.

Making the first turns shook the "did I forget how to do this?" thoughts that were in my head but I have to say, I was glad to have the guys with me because they reminded me of a few things that tend to get sloppy in my technique which made for a great day and great first turns.

Tip of the day for my first turns had a lot to do with the boot work and how to change my technique to adjust for the lack of lift on my right boot.

What kinds of tricks or tips get you ready for first turns of the season?

 

[Read Blinn]

I kept most of the muscle memory from last season (that I could be aware of) until late October. I could visualize, or maybe "muscle-ize," the good turns I was making at the end of last season. The memory started to get blurry at the beginning of November — why I'm antsier as November goes on.

I've been watching WC and Olympic skiing on Youtube, and the Project Kitsteinhorn video. For me, it's all about visualization, physical training, ski-prep, preseason planning, and desire. (And hanging with you guys online.)

 

[David Chaus]

With very little-to-none grooming at Baker for my first foray yesterday, I am reminded how much my butt gets kicked with uneven firm snow. So in addition to basically feeling like I can't ski, I wish I had spent more time with physical conditioning. I was pretty sore afterwards, and it's physically demanding to basically be absorbing bumps and ruts all day. It was hard to focus on making clean arcs. I need to remember to take it easy.

What I did well was watch for where my balance was moving in the back seat, and notice when I was bending at the waist and other bad habits.

 

[markojp]

If given the choice, I like to ski the first handful of runs alone. I'm generally in a transient/liminal head space thinking about the continuum of seasons and people past while in the new season's moment first moments... a mental retrospective and a huge 'thank you' to all those who pop into my thoughts for all seasons past.

 

[Tricia]

I kept most of the muscle memory from last season (that I could be aware of) until late October. I could visualize, or maybe "muscle-ize," the good turns I was making at the end of last season. The memory started to get blurry at the beginning of November — why I'm antsier as November goes on.

I've been watching WC and Olympic skiing on Youtube, and the Project Kitsteinhorn video. For me, it's all about visualization, physical training, ski-prep, preseason planning, and desire. (And hanging with you guys online.)

I was watching ski porn but seeing people jump off cliffs and skiing amazing spines doesn't really help with the reality of a first day out.

 

[Read Blinn]

I was watching ski porn but seeing people jump off cliffs and skiing amazing spines doesn't really help with the reality of a first day out.

I know, right?

 

[AmyPJ]

I have the same anxiety on the first day of the season, and also had the "new boots" anxiety this year, PLUS the added fun of what happened last season (that whole devastating injury thing.) I wish you or Phil or @4ster could have tagged along with me, too. You are so blessed (and I know you know that )

I had to be my own coach, and was talking to myself on almost every run with coaching tips I have picked up over the years. I got more and more relaxed with each run, and realized that I have developed what I think are some very good ingrained movement patterns.

Cheers to a great season!!

 

[dean_spirito]

For some reason, I usually feel really, really good my first few days back. I think a long break from skiing allows my body to "reset". Its almost like starting from a clean slate. I've noticed the same thing with my golf swing. I sometimes get into a rut where I've made the same mistake so many times that it starts to become a habit.

Taking a break from certain activities allows me to shake bad habits. Practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect. Doing something wrong over and over only serves to reinforce bad habits. Taking a break can help us to lose that bad muscle memory and start fresh.
'

 

[Read Blinn]

For some reason, I usually feel really, really good my first few days back. I think a long break from skiing allows my body to "reset". Its almost like starting from a clean slate. I've noticed the same thing with my golf swing. I sometimes get into a rut where I've made the same mistake so many times that it starts to become a habit.

Taking a break from certain activities allows me to shake bad habits. Practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect. Doing something wrong over and over only serves to reinforce bad habits. Taking a break can help us to lose that bad muscle memory and start fresh.
'

Maybe you're right, but I find the first days back kind of brutal — in the back seat, braking turns, everything awful. Around here, the first runs open are often diamond or steepish blue terrain, and what I need is to run drills on lower-angle stuff, over and over, to set me up for the season. I'd guess that people who started young and have a race background need less of this early on, but I started late; it's always tough.

 

[Pat AKA mustski]

This season was different for me. Normally, I am really stiff the first few runs, but this year I felt as good as I did at the end of last season. I was actually feeling a little bravado and self congratulating. Then, Wednesday was very hard, fast snow with many icy spots. The stiffness was back and the bravado was quickly swallowed.

 

[SBrown]

For some reason, I usually feel really, really good my first few days back. I think a long break from skiing allows my body to "reset". Its almost like starting from a clean slate. I've noticed the same thing with my golf swing. I sometimes get into a rut where I've made the same mistake so many times that it starts to become a habit.

Taking a break from certain activities allows me to shake bad habits. Practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect. Doing something wrong over and over only serves to reinforce bad habits. Taking a break can help us to lose that bad muscle memory and start fresh.
'

I find this to be absolutely true ...for me it's in tennis. I haven't played consistently in several years, and have had many long breaks, but every time I come back out, my serve and my volleys are ON POINT. It's the same thing: after lots of playing, bad habits creep in, but at their basis, those strokes have very solid technique.

In skiing I really don't feel that different, but then again we have really long lift-served seasons, plus I manage to make a few summer turns as well.

 

[dean_spirito]

^ yea I've noticed that as my ski season seems to get longer and longer each year, it takes a lot less effort to get back in ski shape when the lifts start spinning in Oct. This last year I don't think I went more than a month without skiing in some capacity. But a nice break every now and then is honestly one of the best things for my skiing. It allows me to recharge. Sometimes my first day back after a few months is one of my best ski days of the season. The day after, however, is a whole different story.

 

[Tominator]

I've experienced the same thing in Tennis. I started playing when I was about 8 and played competitively, albeit at a modest level, in my teens. I play somewhat sporadically now. The first time out after a layoff, I tend to play much better than expected. The next time out, I tend to play somewhat worse than expected!

Last year, I had new skis AND boots for the 1st time in 15 years. It took me a few days to get dialed in. This year, I haven't gone yet, so we'll see.

 

[Monique]

For some reason, I usually feel really, really good my first few days back. I think a long break from skiing allows my body to "reset". Its almost like starting from a clean slate. I've noticed the same thing with my golf swing. I sometimes get into a rut where I've made the same mistake so many times that it starts to become a habit.

I used to notice this with Tae Kwon Do kicks. I'm sure it wouldn't be the case anymore, but after a prolonged break, I'd come in sure that I would be a hot mess. Instead, I felt like my technique was the cleanest it ever is. My theory was that since I didn't have the muscle built up anymore, I had to rely on better technique.

 

[KevinF]

I've been pleasantly surprised the past two or three seasons. I just click in, ride the lift up, and ski on down, and it's just "game on".

It certainly used to take me a few days to feel like I knew what I was doing again, but that hasn't been the case lately.

I guess after 20+ seasons of goofing off on snow some sort of muscle memory has finally taken hold.

I've been taking a CrossFit type gym class since last October. Last year I don't think there was really enough gym time to make a significant impact on my skiing, but this season, after a full year of gym work, I'm kind of curious to see how things play out fitness wise.

 

[Brad J]

Yesterday was my first turns of the season and it was warm and soft as the last days were last year, felt really good ,stamina sucked somewhat , but everything else felt like there was no summer break. only can hope It will fell as good next week when winter conditions return

 

[Monique]

This season and last season, I have been pleasantly surprised to enter day one feeling like I hadn't regressed since the previous season. Unfortunately, I also didn't magically get any better, either =/

I have more days so far this season than I think I have ever had before December, and tomorrow will be four ski days in a row. They won't all be complete days, but I still am kind of amazed that I'm pulling this off. Yesterday was a lot of bumps, too. I would like to believe that's because I'm starting to learn how to ski without wasting *quite* so much energy fighting the turn.

 

[Spooky]

The season before last (I didn't ski last season), I didn't have my first day (due to injury) until February at the Epic ski gathering in SLC. We did have some nice fresh snow, but I felt like I was starting from scratch. Although, I don't think it helped that my bindings' din were set to basically nothing the whole day.

My first day of this season is now inevitable and I haven't skied in more than a year and a half. It should be interesting.

 

[mdf]

For many years, the first day was pretty bad. I felt like I had completely forgotten how to ski. I worried that I would never ski "well" again, and ever worse, that I would never enjoy skiing again. Of course, after a few runs or a few hours, I was always fine again.

And then suddenly one year, that didn't happen. I'm not saying I necessarily skied great on that first run, but I felt great. The difference was so striking that I remarked on it at the time. And ever since, the first run has felt pretty good.

Of course, now I've probably jinxed myself for this year.

 

[newfydog]

I once won a race on my first day on skis. I beat the pace-setter at a major Colorado resort. Never skied that well the rest of the season. Go figure.