3 ms·
Skiing is something else where, for me at least, the 'don't forget' effect applies. I used to ski in a one to two week block every year, for about 20 years (i.
by KineticLensman 8y ago
Skiing is something else where, for me at least, the 'don't forget' effect applies.
I used to ski in a one to two week block every year, for about 20 years (i.e. 2 weeks on then 50 weeks off). Once I reached a certain level (being able to do parallel turns) I never really forgot how to do them, although the first few runs of a new season would be a bit tentative. Something that continued to improve year on year was my ability to turn at speed on steep slopes. I think this was due to learned (and remembered) confidence as well as muscle memory, in particular knowing that because a turn would work, a sudden increase in speed didn't mean automatic disaster. I also learned to lean out of a turn (i.e. down the mountain, the opposite of a turn on a bike) and this was also a confidence thing that I didn't forget, and which turns safer still. Unfortunately, my increasing confidence was offset by decreasing fitness so I reached a plateau. That said, on my last couple of trips, I didn't fall once. I never took a multi-year break to test the concept properly.
- baddox 8y agoI’ve never skied, but it seems very similar to riding a bike in that you need to make constant adjustments to maintain balance and avoid obstacles without thinking consciously about every adjustment.
- KineticLensman 8y agoOnce you reach a certain level of experience, the mechanics of making a turn become second nature and the degree of conscious active control depends more on the type of slope. A well groomed piste is the equivalent of a freeway and you spend more time checking the traffic (the other skiers) than looking at the road. In contrast, (for me at least) a steep gully or a natural mogul field [0] requires more active conscious thinking about when to turn. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mogul_skiing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mogul_skiing
- pbhjpbhj 8y agoAfter a break of ~15 years I went for a couple of hours on an indoor slope. The main issue was fitness. I was able to go over a small jump by the end of the time. Not as graceful as I would have been. Very similar to my experience with cycling with long breaks.
- garyclarke27 8y agoAgreed, skiing very similar, I started skiing late at 40, after much - time expense falls - I am now a proficient skier, (black runs moguls etc no problem). If I go skiing after a long break, I worry still worry though whether I still ski?, but aleays come back to me immediately without having to think.