As one of the few people here who has ridden mountain bikes with Amy, I just want to emphasize that she's correct when she says she doesn't get "gripped" the same way mountain biking.
One difference I note is that when you get to a tough section on your mountain bike, you can walk. That's ... not exactly a great option for skiing, and it's a completely no-go on steeps.
I have done this. I like the freedom to just kind of putter around, scope out the run, look at a few different entrances and lines, pick the right song on my Shuffle - without worrying about what anybody else out there is doing.
^^^^ YES! Although from what I understand from past posts, I think Amy has had the gripped experience even on easier trails when conditions are meh. Bad conditions lead to what, for lack of a better term, is a bit of PTSD around a past injury in sloppy snow. So I think it's a little different from a run of the mill "I've done this run a million times, it's just a little crudded up!" reaction.
This is a good point, although sometimes it is hard to gauge that transition - especially because people feel a little different every day, and of course conditions are different every day.
I'm not always afraid at the top of a steep run, but if I am, it's definitely fear of getting hurt. I'd be interested to know if there's some other reason people are afraid in those situations (aside from being afraid of skiing it poorly, which is definitely also a thing I experience!).
What I took from the book relates to the two above quotes.
1) Start wayyyyyy more slowly than you think you need to. Meaning, just because you skied X successfully doesn't mean you promote yourself to the next difficulty level just yet. I used this one heavily when getting back into mountain biking after a previous injury. Weirdly, it felt like by holding myself back, when I finally decided to ride something harder, I quickly got back to form and then surpassed my previous confidence levels (and then got hurt again, so maybe fear isn't the worst thing).
2) (Similar to what Scotty I. is saying) When you do challenge yourself and feel good about it, don't throw yourself right at another challenge again. Go back to your baseline a bit.
One difference I note is that when you get to a tough section on your mountain bike, you can walk. That's ... not exactly a great option for skiing, and it's a completely no-go on steeps.
Sometimes I like to tackle scary terrain alone so there is no pressure.
I have done this. I like the freedom to just kind of putter around, scope out the run, look at a few different entrances and lines, pick the right song on my Shuffle - without worrying about what anybody else out there is doing.
Best to only do the "scary" trail when conditions are perfect, but do it enough on those days that the trail stops being scary on those days.
^^^^ YES! Although from what I understand from past posts, I think Amy has had the gripped experience even on easier trails when conditions are meh. Bad conditions lead to what, for lack of a better term, is a bit of PTSD around a past injury in sloppy snow. So I think it's a little different from a run of the mill "I've done this run a million times, it's just a little crudded up!" reaction.
I question why you are going on terrain that makes you uncomfortable? Maybe you are making too big of a jump, possibly you need to master slightly more manageable terrain and only then move up or go back up.
This is a good point, although sometimes it is hard to gauge that transition - especially because people feel a little different every day, and of course conditions are different every day.
Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but for the people who feel fear at the top of a steep run, what specifically are you scared of? Is it a fear that you could get hurt if you fall? Or something else?
I'm not always afraid at the top of a steep run, but if I am, it's definitely fear of getting hurt. I'd be interested to know if there's some other reason people are afraid in those situations (aside from being afraid of skiing it poorly, which is definitely also a thing I experience!).
First, remember that skiing is supposed to be fun. To look at it as a daily challenge and skiing lines that are very challenging and make you stricken with fear - that's not fun. Plus (important) do not feel like you have to impress anybody. Living up to others expectations is a phobics worst enemy. If you absolutely feel that you have to conquer the steeps, try a little at a time. Back off the minute that you feel the panic setting in. Always give yourself an escape route.
One thing I do remember from Blakeslee's book is to challenge yourself on either terrain or technique, but never both at the same time. Pick your runs as best you can so they are steep within your envelope where you can use good form. As you go on, you will gradually increase your comfort zone on gradually steeper slopes and continue your good form and good control. You can do this even by choosing which side of some runs you pick. Often one side is steeper, one side less steep, your choice.
What I took from the book relates to the two above quotes.
1) Start wayyyyyy more slowly than you think you need to. Meaning, just because you skied X successfully doesn't mean you promote yourself to the next difficulty level just yet. I used this one heavily when getting back into mountain biking after a previous injury. Weirdly, it felt like by holding myself back, when I finally decided to ride something harder, I quickly got back to form and then surpassed my previous confidence levels (and then got hurt again, so maybe fear isn't the worst thing).
2) (Similar to what Scotty I. is saying) When you do challenge yourself and feel good about it, don't throw yourself right at another challenge again. Go back to your baseline a bit.