The Evolution of a Skier

All of you , I am sure are aware of the Psycho-Sexual Stages presented by Freud! Also if, you are a parent the famous Psycho-Social Stages presented Erickson.

A lesser known body of work will interest you since you are all skiers. A sports psychologist has been studying skiers and the psychological evolution that skiers go through as they "mature" Here are his findings.

It is up to you to determine what stages of evolution you are at and if this "theory" applies.



Stage 1: Fear / Flight Stage
This is the most basic and instinctual stage and is related to our primitive urges to "survive"!
In this stage the sheer desire to survive the day takes over! We are torn between just throwing the skis off, finding the nearest garbage and getting rid of the skis.
It is fear which dominates this stage. Fear of the lifts! Fear of the slope! Fear to get hurt and fear to get laughed at ( if you begin skiing as adult).
Children get by this stage very quickly since they are learn new activities all the time, so initial failure is not an ego deflating issue.
Adults and teen agers however may "plateau" at this stage if they are not carefully weaned into the activity!

As in the initial Erickson's stage of TRUST/ MIS TRUST where the child learns to trust his parents so in the FEAR/FLIGHT stage a new skier develops bi polar attractions to skiing.
The further away they are to the ski center, the less the fear and flight tendencies are! However as they get to parking lot the "pathological" symptoms come out for the skiers that have not progressed to another stage!
The symptoms are;
Taking that extra coffee
Never having their equipment ready
A very long visit to bathroom
Waiting for the weather to get better. It is too cold or too hot.
You will be able to see such "fixated" skiers on sun-decks at 11 AM or having that long French 3 hour lunch!
These skiers will spend hours speaking of their trip but you will never see them on the slope. They will pick resorts that have water parks, wonderful shopping plazas and of course "great night spots"!
The physical strain of going down the hill is too much of a burden psychologically and the "other" activities are so much more ego boosting!
A famous case in the annals of the MMPI is a young lady who managed to go on a two week ski holiday yet never set a ski down on the slope. She would get to ski resort at 10 AM, spend at least 1 hour getting boots on and preparing her face for the "cold"!
She would go out with skis and notice long lift line and wait for it to get shorter.
Of course at 12 it was time to eat. She would take some snow throw it on her face and perhaps some on her parka and meet her friends!

By 2 lunch was over and the wine had taken its effect so courage level was greater. However the skis were lost. Another hour to find them and in the searching process she would meet potential dates!

At 3 PM she was really ready to take her first run! She would wait until the lift lines allowed her to be with the "appropriate" skiers. She felt that since she was going to be with "strangers" for at least 12 minutes she wanted to make the most socially! ( many times the fellow skiers were not acceptable)!
If she got to the top, she would notice that her bindings were not on the correct DIN so down she would go in the gondola ( of course with the patroler or ski lift attendant).

By 4:30 it was time to quit! More snow in face and into the bar!
This behavior continued for several years and was never recognized or diagnosed until her therapist saw her ski lifts which were never punched!

The case presented was a female, before I get hate male and "strange" PM from my fellow skiers allow me to say that male case histories will also be presented!

Stage 2 The Conquer / Defeat Stage

Most skiers graduate to this second stage after two or three ski visit. The second stage of a skier's evolution is note as the psychological inner battle between two opposing forces. Freud called it the ID/EGO battle! We call it the conquer/ defeat battle where the skier has overcome the initial fear of speed, of ice, of height and ego deflating behavior!

Now the skier is determined to conquer the beginner run and its steep long long run. There is still an uneasiness lurking below , a feeling that defeat might occur!
This is where the sports psychologist begins to analyse the personality of the skier.
Some personlity types take in all new situations as a challenge and conquer them. They have done it in the past and are sure they will do it again. This is called positive transference! Yes they will be awkward and fall, but they know ultimately they will conquer the hill, well at least this beginner's run!
Others who have never had to "fight" or struggle" to achieve or obtain what they want are more fragile!
Seems having the most expensive skis, having the top racing boots, the latest North Face electric IPOD jacket does not provide easy access to the other runs!
No amount of saying to lift partner who you know, what luxury car you drive or what great salary you have helps!

This is you and the mountain! It is basic human survival context! The mountain is a great leveler. Only those who are willing to have "pain will gain"! Many a neophyte skier lost his/her prestige at this stage! The skier who accepts the initial physical and psychological pain is rewarded into the next stage which causes even more pain!


Stage 3 : The challenge / Regression Stage

The skier has "conquered" the beginner hill. Practically no falls, well just when the hill throws a curve like a "huge" mound or a "huge" ice patch in the beginner run!
The skier discovers that it is great ( less falls) in the morning, but when those damm kids start to make grooves, and huge moguls it is time to take a long break!

At one point, like all animals we must leave the nest or burrow so we explore greater challenges like those "other" runs! The skiers discovers a whole new language based on icons and finds they relate to fear levels!
That green ( in North America) means out to pasture. Like that is the spot you can avoid lurking predator ice or moguls!

Blue icon relates to the ski which is higher. However very soon the skier at this stage discovers that the sky can change very quickly. In the mountains the "be prepared" motto becomes a survival skill! But this icon seems to give some prestige in the bar ( at least more that green) so off he/she goes!

Now the struggle begins as the neophyte skier has to constantly chose to challenge or submit to the mountain as he/she is skiing! It is very much like a young soldier who "faces the enemy". No strategies ( note I did not say technique) to survival! No experience to "read" the run! To see where the mines are!

At least there are no persons on ski chalet porch watching!

This stage of development often is more traumatic than all the other stages since the skier thinks he/she is good but when things do not get better regression sets in! You know that famous "snowplow" even with ultra - carving skis! Or the famous body rotation, mentally willing please God turn!
Often many skiers will "plateau" at this stage a never explore the other runs because of that knee, that mortgage to be paided, that weak back! They are called rationalizations for survival! The one I hear the most is, " I am too old for that"!
40% of skiers at this stage accept that the mountain now has a lot to teach them , thus they take lessons! That in itself has negative secondary effects which are manufested in the next stage od evolution!

Stage 4: The Impose / Seduce stage
There really are just two types of skiers at this stage and they are very clearly diagnosed! Sports psychologist called them the "posers" or the seducers.
Let me start with the "poser" since they are the easiest to see and understand.
This skier challenges the hill and wants to impose his will! Note that I did not use the /she here because typically this type of skier is male!
He works out at the gym, as great physique and no technique! Never mind! With sheer brute strength those skis will do what he wants. Never mind if at end of day thighs are burning, arms feel like 100kg.. back will not allow him to even take that drink!
Very few skiers stay at this stage since the mountain makes sure there is always a greater "challenge" a steeper run, a bigger ice patch! Those crosses you see on the side of the hill are all "imposers" who thought they could forces the skis to do what they wanted!
Due to a recent accident in America this classification od skier is now known in the MMPI classification as the "Arnold Syndrome"!
The other side of the coin is the skier who seduces the skis to do what she wants! Rarely do men do so on the hill! Women take the time to learn the correct technique so that the ski wants to turn to please the skier! This skier stays very shortly at this stage!

5. Stage 5 Ego Centered Stage
To me this is the most interesting stage to watch for many reasons which will become apparent!
This is the stage when the skier "thinks" he/she is good and there is very little to learn in skiing!
This skier tends to ski under chair lifts, in front of ski chalets or wherever there are "others" A book could be written about this skier but I am sure you all have seen this on the slope! Again the mountain holds many surprise for such a skier. Often at the bar such skier will say, " I skied XXXX ( the most steep most challenging run) today"
The appropriate retort is yes, but HOW did you ski it?
Rarely do you see this skier in a sports therapist's office rather check out the patrol's shed! The mountain has a way of making all of us humble!

6.The Exploration Stage
This stage of the evolution is a skier is the most mysterious stage for sports psyclogist since like many animals he/she disappears for long periods of time! That is why it is called the exploration phase. Recently some bright reseachers have inserted GPS instruments and even CAM-recorders to determine where these skier go and what do they do!
As a result of these studies I would re-name this stage the "Extreme Stage". Seems skiers must pass a ritual to prove they are more powerful than nature, thus they seek areas, chutes, cliffs, boulders, trees etcc....to confirm that they are invincible!
At this stage,,, skiing is not important rather it is the constant proving that, "I was near death therefor I am"
Until........
Since many psychologist do not accept this stage as a pure skiing evolutionary stage I will not dwell on this stage! Recent studies have proven that there is great correlation between this skiing stage an other "activities" such as; riding rails in the center of cities, Jumping off towers, racing cars on public streets and riding bikes off cliffs. I suspect the APA will soon create a new classification for such persons at their next conference!

An interesting metamorphys occurs at this point for some skiers. The survivors of this stage develope. It is called maturity! They now begin to understand the true essence of skiing and flow into the next stage.

7. Butterfly Stage
This term is very appropriate in this context since like a butterfly the skier changes attitude, changes style, and even dress! No longer the follower of images and U Tube moments the skiing becomes "an organic moment"! Let us be honest they are good skiers, but they just lost what skiing really is!
This is the stage where the beauty of skiing comes out! Not for the camera, or Warren Miller skiing is done for the self. To learn about the nature! To respect the mountain for allowing him/her to feel a unique state of bliss. Again not to tell all in the bar, nor to see on U Tube but just to know that you and the mountain were in synch! It is that perfect run that no one will know you did but that will last you a life time!

8. The Karma Stage
Most skiers have now gone to wayside and will never reach this stage due to; family, business, physical shortcomings yet it is the most rewarding! This stage is noted for its "magic 60"s feeling" You all have seen it! That quiet smile! That raccoon look! That quiet comment while riding the chair!
No need to show since all that counts is knowing what the mountain and you did!
It is a short description since very little is known about this stage. Few really want to talk about it, yet when you feel it or are at this stage you know it!
If you have seen the Endless Summer film you will understand!

9. The Soaring Stage
We are getting close the the end of the evolutionary ski cycle and this stage is the first signs of this! The skier accepts that nature is more powerful! Accepts that some runs are dangerous so the skier picks the runs! Like an old wolf the skier has developed skills to "interprete" skiing conditions, skiing weather and skiing pitfalls!
The skier knows when to soar and where to soar so that it is the wind doing all the work!
The key element to watch is efficiency in a skier at this stage. Everything seems to flow like water in a stream!
The skier at this stage realizes that time is finite thus skiing experience must by "savored" like a good wine!
While others rush down to see how many runs can be made in one day, this skier takes every run count so that later he/she can re-live every turn, every sensation!
Gone are getting the latest skis, or the latest boots!
Gone is the desire to visit this or that resort so that once home you can tell all!
You will never see this skier in "wet T shirt contests" or the racing in "adult classes". He/she has found the slope gives that soaring feeling of freedom!

10. Acceptance Stage
This last stage is the final stage of the evolution. It is the stage in which the skier accepts his limitations and still wants that skiing feeling. The skier chooses when to ski and where to ski since he/she now has freedom! You will see these skier early in the morning chatting and putting on braces, extra heat bars, drinking their coffee from the thermos bottle! ( perhaps with some Snapps)! They will be the very first ones on the slope since they "sniff" out the very best runs!
Some even have their mates help them put on boots since they can not bend over too much, but watch them ski!
Some have their insurance representatives telling them at the chalet that at 100 they should stop due to their coverage!
Some still can't believe that their body although "used" can not take them one more run. One more glorious sunny day with the mountain! One more feel of that wind on your hair as the slope introduces another memory which will last a life time.


Now you decide where you are at and what awaits you!

Hope you enjoyed reading!

For you who will write me about the studies and the name of the psychologist for further information, sorry it is all in my head! I am sure however you will confirm that these stages do exist!

:shock: You are god *bows down*

Stage 11: You become the Matrix! 8)

Great thread Pavel. I need to print this out and ring some 'goals' for myself and Kim this coming season.

In the average season, I might experience all those stages.

Over the years and through participating in a variety of adventure sports, you can develope the abillity to recognise these issues in one's self, as you progress and regress (even at a low level). Experience then gives you the choice, to accept or change your current status.

I think it is good to become very experienced and push yourself to a high level of performance in at least one sport (esp. one with a fear factor). This allows you to find yourself or know yourself.

The benchmark I use to access where I am in terms of comfort and performance is time. As I do whatever it is, I notice if time is running fast or slow. Do I have time to breath, to think and to plan ?. If I don't, then it's time to go back to an easier run, do some drills and go a little slower. When I'm on top of my game, time seems to slow down, I see details in the terain, my body knows what I want to do without concious thought, and the experience is greater.

Trencher

Trencher,
You brought up an interesting point that many skiers at the Karma level tell me, that is how time and speed become relative!
I forgot to mention these two points in the presentation. Thank you for mentioning them.

If you know a little about modern physics time was thought to be a constant reference ie time is fixed! Seems it is not!
We will not get into that aspect of time since it is far above my head but time as when you ski does become "elastic"! Hard to describe to someone who has not experienced it but it has been "noted"!

What is even more interesting, and this has been documented is that "speed" or more precisely perceived speed is also "elastic". In the karma state the skier is so focussed on his/her task that all other "secondary sensory" input is channeled by the brain to other brain sites.
It is a feeling of intense yet slower speed in which you seem to experience all input! I describe this like taking a flashlight in which you have two modes; a narrow beam or a wide beam.
In the wide beam all sorts of extraneous sensory input floods the brain ( in some cases confuses it).
In the narrow beam the brain focuses on only the essential elements and thus it seems like you are going slower!
Strange wonderful feeling. That is why I call it the Karma phase!
Sport psychologist now have training sessions to prepare skiers for such states!

Another feeling or experience which I forgot to mention is that at this state your skis part of you. It may sound strange but I do not perceive skis as inanimate objects. To me they are "alive" and talk to me! Now before you send for the jacket please let me explain.

It is as if the skis are an extension of my body and whatever I ask them to do, they do it like my fingers, like my eyes and mouth! Wonderful feeling!

That is why I stress great tuning. To me it is a sign of respect! It is like having a great ride on a race horse or a great car race on a race circuit. They have performed to your expectations and more. Now you must "groome" the horse, you must clean the car and yes you must tune the skis! It hurts me when I see skiers after a great day on slopes throw their skis in car truck and rush to bar! I take the time to wipe them, roll them in a blanket and tuck them away!
Again thanks for the comments!