do late starters ever catch up?

There has to be a connection between the way Austrians start skiing young and sporting success.

I saw a massive argument on a discussion board over whether it is possible for late starters on violin to catch up. The most experienced teachers and performers tend to think it is not. One experienced teacher I know says that starting at 3 is far bettter than starting at 7, let alone as an adult. Some late starters, and teachers who specialise in late starters, regard that as negative thinking.

Speaking personally, my GF who introduced me to skiing is not heavily into skiing, does not practice, does not think about skiing or whether the ski equipment is good. But to my untrained eyes she makes skiing look as secure and effortless as walking down the street. I would like to achieve that. Does that only come from starting young?

The conclusion on the violin site was that on their best day the really serious committed adult beginner can ultimately learn to play as well as the greats - but the great professional players have skills so deeply ingrained that they generally get things right reliably, all the time, in front of an audience, and their bad days and in emergencies too. Adult beginners do not get skills so deeply ingrained.

Natural tallent has something to do with it.
But being born with skis on your feet obviously gives you an advantage. The younger you begin the more NATURAL it is to you.

Also being an oldie usually means you have to un-learn all the habits that's you've already developed.

I see that you have a clear advantage overy your GF. You will be learning the latest techniques to use on the latest equipment. Times have changed and her skills are now outdated. You will be more comfortable on new style skis. She has a lifetime of bad skiing habits to unlearn. You will be able to do more on the new style skis, and use them properly.

Get in there :D

Bandit, you presume badly of this lady, we not know if she has a lifetime of bad skiing habits. The fundamentals of skiing remain the same, albeit the techniques may have variation to suit different equipment.

Good skiers will learn to use a range of techniques anyway, to suit different conditions.

I am sure most good Austrian skiers started before the age of five. Equally, there are many Austrians that started at that age, that are no better than the average Brit.

My oldest student, a 65 yaer old called Dan, went home with sticking plaster on his face, but had skiied down Niederau's Marbachjoch, after just 6 days.

Anyone can learn to ski well, given reasonable knees and hips, fitness and coordination. You will learn more quickly on good snow, with good instruction. It seems to me that most skiers reach a level, after about 4/6 years, and stay there ~ because they stop trying to learn/understand.

Good luck, ski well.

Dave Mac wrote:Bandit, you presume badly of this lady, we not know if she has a lifetime of bad skiing habits. The fundamentals of skiing remain the same, albeit the techniques may have variation to suit different equipment.

Er, nope :-), I read this though, and considered the concept and execution of modern carving techniques, on modern skis. Of course, she may simply be undertaking a demonstration of what is now affectionately called "Old School"

Innsbrucker wrote:
She doesn´t claim to be an expert, has never taught before, and I very much doubt if she understands the mechanics of skiing, though she learnt young and seems very secure on skis - I was impressed by the way she can take my weight through turns, skiing together as if I were riding pillion on a bike. That is one of the ways I have seen parents here teaching very small children, and it was good for giving me the feel of sking, even if it looks a bit ridiculous. Her philosophy is ´don´t think too much´. Once in a while she likes to ski fast down a piste on her modern carving skis in short turns, legs together, in an old-fashioned, elegant, effortless style she probably learnt at school and never felt like changing.

:D

BTW Dave Mac, it's been a while since I had any instruction. My last coach went on to launch Ski New Generation in Courchevel. I just know he would laugh at the bad habits I now have, and then probably sit and shake his head :oops:

All that effort! :lol:

bandit wrote:I see that you have a clear advantage overy your GF. You will be learning the latest techniques to use on the latest equipment. Times have changed and her skills are now outdated. You will be more comfortable on new style skis. She has a lifetime of bad skiing habits to unlearn. You will be able to do more on the new style skis, and use them properly.

Get in there :D

I'd agree with that. Most skiers made hard work of learning to use carving skis.

I did not start snowboarding until I was thirty eight and skiing ten years later. As it looks like you will go skiing often, you should catch up quickly. If you are fit, it will make a huge difference, as will taking up complimentary sports in the off season.

Trencher