confidence at speed

Has anyone got any tips on how I can get my 52 yr old partner to feel more confident at speed? She will be on her fourth trip this winter, and should have got to the stage where she was doing parallel turns last year. Her problem was that her speed was too slow to execute turns properly, and this was due to confidence issues. She has been going to dry slopes over the summer, but is still struggling with getting her speed up. She is now getting disillusioned, and is talking of switching to cross-country this year - something I'd prefer her not to do, because it would mean that we could not meet up during the day. Being selfish, I'm looking to improve further this year, and don't fancy having a break in my development to join her in learning cross-country.

I would appreciate any advice.

Hi Huwcyn,

In prepartion before skiing she could obtain and read a copy of Inner Skiing by Gallwey and Kriegel. This book has helped many to overcome their fear and trust their instincts. Just a simple suggestion that may keep you both up the hill. :wink:

First of all, she will find the dry slope is a far slower surface than snow, so that might help. Edges bite much better on snow so control at higher speed is almost automatic going from dry slope to real snow.
A private lesson is the way to go, one to one, explain what she wants to achieve and go from there.
Make sure the skis match her ability, ie forgiving, easy to control, confidence building etc.

I would agree with Andyhull about the private lesson. Not so sure about the plastic. Not so easy to ski on, unforgiving and may turn her off.

If your near Hemel give Rob a call at inside out for a lesson or two before you go, could make all the diff and the surface is better than dry slope.

I have heard v good things about Rob at inside out....

Confidence gain is different for each of us, and like ski skills, it changes, sometimes imperceptably, and sometimes in a step change.

A friend of mine, who briefly held the world speed ski record, when I commented on his 240kph speed, c/w my 100kph, reminded me that both of us had started with very slow snow plough turns.

My ski speed is 2/3 times quicker than the average holiday skier, (I have skied hundreds of weeks), and their ski speed is heaps quicker than a slower skier.

It doesn't matter. We need to accept that we are all different.

In our group of friends, we have one lady who skies at a modest pace. She too, has only skied four years. I have seen fear take over her, even on the flattest of slopes. She sticks to it, has taken group lessons, privates, I have spent time with her. Then the year before last, in the Skiwelt, I searched all week for a good slope, found it, and then brought her down the mountain from above Ellmau. It was a huge breakthrough ~ and yet, she could not see it, simply because she still experienced fear!

So my friend still thinks of herself as a frightened wuss. I see her as being another two rungs up the ski ladder. It is perception. The main thing is ~ that she is determined to keep trying.

If the OP, and the good lady in question, can accept that we will all continue to develop, but at different rates, it can change the proposition. Accept the slow speed, and enjoy skiing within the capabilities. For some people, skiing slow snowplough down a modest hill ~ well that is a triumph. Enjoy it, and do it again, and again.

Yes, do the lessons, group or private, it is very likely there will be a change in ability. A good instructor will find ways to help.

Skiing is a beautiful way of life, at every level.

I too am not a confident skier but have learnt to build up confidence in my own time my husband is an excellent boarder but we start out together and arrange to meet in a mountain cafe we love the sport and just don't push it I am now happier on the slope and my confidence has grown hope you have a good time.