HOW TO SKI WITH CONFIDENCE WITH AN OLYMPIC SKIER | Ice, Steeps, Fog and Slush

Everybody has felt scared on a mountain at one time or other, whether it’s racing down an icy World Cup downhill, dropping into a couloir, or trying to negotiate a slushy crowded home run at the end of the day. No one can ever conquer the mountain, and even the very best skiers will admit to being scared from time to time.
We met up with 5x Olympic skier, presenter of BBC Ski Sunday, and founder of ‘Perfect Turns’ coaching app Graham Bell and gave him the task of providing the everyday skier with some tips for building confidence, and overcoming fear while skiing. Graham covers some useful coping strategies to help you next time you run into, steep slopes, crowded slopes, icy slopes, slushy slopes, and white-out conditions.
To quote Denzel Washington “There is no such thing as tough, only trained and untrained” The more you can expose yourself to the things that scare you, the better trained you are to deal with it.
Enjoy this video and please leave a comment if you have any questions about this topic or coping strategies that have been useful in helping you become more confident while skiing.!
Learn more about how a digital ski coach could help you improve your skiing:
getcarv.com/
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@carv.ski
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Skier: Graham Bell | IG: @skigrahambell
Ski resort: Zermatt, SWITZERLAND
Music Licensed by Music Bed: MB01QKZS6WMI43J
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SUBSCRIBE today to get access to more ski lessons, more real-time feedback, and never-before-seen alpine skiing data from Carv!
For more how to ski content make sure to check out our other ski improvement videos:
- How to ski with style:
• HOW TO SKI WITH STYLE ...
- How to ski in tough terrain:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDFaq...
- How to ski on ice:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0cDT...
- How to ski with flow:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK6SC...
- Carving with early edge angles:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElOhJ...
- 4 Advanced skiing mistakes and how to fix them:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=04lRa...
- How to increase your edge angle:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYPxH...
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Timecodes
0:00 - Introduction to lesson
00:59 - Internal vs External Fears
01:50 - Steep slopes
02:39 - Crowded slopes
03:07 - Icy Slopes
03:56 - Slushy Slopes
04:38 - White-outs
05:20 - Visualisation

[@CarvSki]

Do you have a confidence building tip of your own? Please share in the comments ⬇️⬇️⬇️

[@seph13x]

I used to freeze up as a beginner on steeper runs, over time I found mentally that if I try to push the fear to the side and go with the mindset that this is business and I just need to keep moving that I would get a much better flow. A lot of similar beginners and intermediates would stop for almost minutes at the top of a steep run trying to build courage and I would either just go straight past them or only stop for a brief few seconds before taking the plunge. Once you stop for a long time to try to build up the courage it actually becomes harder and harder to find the courage and you're more likely to panic once you start moving again.

[@michiel2047]

Got to agree with "doing what scares you". Finding your limits and pushing on through is just so rewarding.

[@CarvSki]

@@seph13x Thanks for sharing! We're sure that this resonates with a lot of skiers and will be useful advice for them 👌

[@simonmoscrop5102]

Get a "growl on", attack the slope with your shoulders pointing down the fall line

[@Benzknees]

Good tips, I'll be keeping my eyes closed when I ski in future.

[@samyeoski]

I don't think that is what he meant 😂

[@michellebeleyme6772]

Laugh of the day. Thanks :D

[@spookysilver]

🤣

[@annemackenzie7295]

Yes, I laughed at that one 🤣🤣🤣

[@michellebeleyme6772]

As a former racer who is just coming back to skiing after about 25 yrs, I've undergone some anxiety about getting back out there. I've never skied on these new-fangled skis and am not as fit as I used to be - cough, cough. Things I've done to get back out there: 1. Watched videos like these to get my mind around how people are skiing these days. (It has changed some). 2. Researched and bought the right gear for me. Not just gear that'll make me look cool or to try to keep up with the Joneses. (Facebook Marketplace had some surprisingly good options!) 3. I did fork out some cash to get the right boots, properly fitted, molded, punched, and footbeds (Worth it!) 4. Talked to people in the industry (at shops, friends, online). 5. Just got out there, but took it easy. 6. Stopped when I had enough. Like Graham hinted at, accidents happen when you're tired. I for one enjoyed my short, first day out. Turns out I can work these crazy skis after all. :) Happy skiing, y'all!

[@CarvSki]

Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment Michelle! I'm sure many skiers will get value out of your tips. Happy skiing to you too ⛷

[@markbrooky3819]

You are spot on, Michelle. I skied as a kid, about age 9-15, and didn't again until 47, and fell in love with it again. Love the parabolic skis. So much more control than the old straight ones. I'm 63 now and still carving! I learn so much from these ski coach videos. Bless 'em!

[@javindo]

Thank you for producing this video. It sounds weird but I was dealing with some confidence issues and literally no other video on youtube was helping until I saw Graham who I consider to be an absolute legend and idol. I know I'm nowhere near the level yet to even consider Carv as a product that would benefit me (was a very much beginner into intermediate skier) but I wanted to feed back that once I do finally get my ski legs fully it's something I'd consider buying given how much amazing content you guys have put out

[@wallstreetoneil]

The best advice for low visibility skiing is to ski on the side of the run that has a tree line, or fence, or anything providing contrast. If there is blowing snow, and it is coming across the hill, again, go to the side of the hill that may have some protection from the wind - sometimes it's amazing how there is a narrow path down the edge of the run, that has substantially better contrast and visibility than the rest of the entire hill - also, switch out the lenses for low-light lenses - makes a huge difference.

[@CarvSki]

Thanks so much for the insight Paul, We're sure this tip will be helpful to many ⛷⛷

[@steven7650]

As an east coast skier: 1) we get lots of fog and some white outs, we're pretty comfortable with blind conditions as well. 2) Usually for ice esp if you hit it at speed. The advice here is stay neutral do not try to edge unless you have race edges. Stay neutral, glide over it and begin turning once you hit the snow. Also realize what we call ice is not what the western U.S. or EU seems to call ice. I'm talking like hard blue/brown stuff that's glass. The slippery stuff wind blown off the typical piste here out west, pfft. weee this is fun!

[@solome6478]

I also ski north-east and I agree that the ice is just like blue glass that you can't dig into at all. My ski's just chatter if I try to carve on it or skip if I try to turn.

[@scottstetson8092]

Ayup.

[@sophielt964]

It’s a great tip! I’m so glad I always visualise myself skiing and I do so well, so much better than I physically skiing but then I got better out of no where from those visualisation. My problem is confident with height but the recent season I gained so much and went skiing at the level I normally got scared of. Your video is for us the ones with confident issue rather than technical issues. I’m intermediate level when I should be higher due to my scared of height it brought me down but I don’t mind slow and steady wins the race. If I could have you as a coach I’d do so well because you’d know my rooted problem. Thank you so much for your tutorial video. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@hildewuyts2465]

my tip would be that when my confidence drops or when I get scared, I ski the technique that I feel most comfortable with. (for me this is skiing short turns over an imaginary line straight down while lowering my core to keep more in contact with the slope. ) thank you Mr Bell :)

[@CarvSki]

Thanks so much for the insightful comment! We're sure this will help a lot of people next time a challenging situation arises on the mountain 👍

[@johnwicked4982]

same here, but my instructor always yelling at me “big c and complete the turn”😂

[@happyotaku195]

I found confidence change so much of the skiing style, and these tips are golds!

[@zZ55442]

really awesome advice. Especially helpful when you haven't skied in months and the season is just starting

[@CarvSki]

Really happy to hear you found this video useful. All the best when you make it back our onto snow! Have a great season ⛷

[@porororoborororo672]

Graham really the GOAT when it comes to KZbin ski videos

[@CarvSki]

🐐 🐐 🐐 We're glad you enjoyed the video!

[@annemackenzie7295]

Thanks Graham, great advice 👍

[@ven2791]

Thanks for the tips. The suggestion to tilt the shoulders down the mountain when turning is very helpful

[@StephenSpelman]

Great tips. Thanks!

[@CarvSki]

No problems Stephen, Thanks for watching ⛷

[@pahiker6]

Great tips! I'm looking forward to trying out the tip about shoulders on some steeps this year.

[@CarvSki]

You got this! Thanks for watching and all the best putting these tips into practice ⛷

[@doBobro]

I can recommend to try race down on straight skis without any turns. Starting from flat slopes progressing to more steep slopes. It helps to feel and push higher a maximum speed you comfortable with and gain confidence in handling of flat skis.

[@CarvSki]

An interesting approach Anton, We've not heard this one before. We would certainly recommend exercising this approach with caution and make sure to only do this on a slope with minimal people. Thanks for the insightful comment 👍

[@dr.juanan8921]

Good advices!! Thank you very much!!

[@CarvSki]

Any time! Thanks for watching ⛷

[@johnlaporte9757]

Great tips. Specially the mental aspect of asking! Thanks!. Loved zermat best skiing in the world.

[@CaptainInsano841]

Love this! So useful - will watch again before my next trip.

[@CarvSki]

Glad it was helpful! All the best putting these tips into action next time you go skiing ⛷

[@skifamily]

The steeps always has me panicking! Lets hope I can put this advice into practice next week :)

[@CarvSki]

All the best putting these tips into practice! Let us know how you get on next time you hit the slopes ✌️

[@wqerg7024]

Thanks for that amazing!

[@ivanmaric1051]

As a beginner I have to say thank you :)

[@alternaxx8766]

thank you

[@emilferent23]

Awesome content. Thanks!

[@CarvSki]

Glad you liked it Emil! Thanks for watching and stay posted for more content ⛷

[@BeastModeWarrior]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@CarvSki]

Glad to hear you found these tips useful Hasan ⛷ All the best on your next ski trip!

[@sanderstar1000]

The more you can expose yourself to something that scares you the better you will be at dealing with it

[@CarvSki]

Thats right Sarah, All the best tackling your fears this winter ⛷ Have a good one!

[@davutturk]

I am skiier only for a 3 days, skied like 45 km on totall distance, i can’t do carving or any other technic looks cool for observers ☺️ I am struggling to stand still and dont hit the others, i dont fall too much, like 3-4 time on this 3 days, skiing in “V” shape on general cause i cant do parallell, using narrow turns on steeps on the side of the pist where snow is soft not icy, when i hit the ice i stand still and let it go dont try to turn or stop, to deal with speed and direction later on snowy part. I came to an edge of fall several times, i didnt hug the slope, i say myself calm down and bend your knee and it worked i didnt fall but i am so sure i look so weird from the outside 😂 By the way i am 39 years old and i just want it to share my experiences as a new skiier. If you ever see a guy in some skii resort skiing with weird technic look so struggling and the edge of the fall but keep moving and dont falling, its me 😀

[@bobcoggin4618]

Brill 👍🏻

[@CarvSki]

Thanks for the feedback Bob! Glad you enjoyed the lesson ⛷

[@williamtipton7978]

I’m tryna get over my fear with big mountain skiing, there are a few chutes and cliffs that I’ve been way to scared to hit and I’ve been tryna find ways to cope with they fear and commit

[@gsimong_9811]

great Video but 1.38 is just to funny. The guy in back

[@CarvSki]

😂😂😂 Thanks for watching!

[@user-dp9mj6qi2r]

Абсолютно правильно

[@roor.berllou]

my first season ice skiing eastern coast 😂

[@11Virgo11]

❄️❄️❤️❄️❄️

[@solome6478]

How to ski icy conditions in north-east? Any time I touch it it just slide and can't do anything.

[@CarvSki]

Thanks for watching! We've had a go at covering the 'how to ski on ice' topic, however, did not find the conditions you might be used too in the North-east. Regardless, the tips may still be useful so please take a look at this video and see if the tips are helpful next time you are out skiing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGHGdYd3hNqWic0 Have a great winter ⛷

[@happyotaku195]

My tip for overcoming fear is take a sip of whisky from my whiski poles

[@tabcompletion]

I was not aware that people find slush to be challenging 😅

[@CarvSki]

Lots of people love it! Lots of people hate it! 🤷‍♀️

[@benelliott3168]

Clearly never been to St Anton 🤪

[@pamelacano5733]

One of the best tips is to not rush beyond your level. If you do, you could get traumatized and be afraid of skiing again.

[@SnowCampsEurope]

At least this time you managed to find something almost like Ice!

[@CarvSki]

We didn't like the proposition of looking for ice again after last season 😅 Have a great winter Andy ⛷

[@pwdrtrns1]

Rethink this. Poor choices in the use of terrain.

[@mailitedd185]

I love your videos but can you make them without music? I am Autistic and my brain can't process bass beat which means I have to turn the volume off to watch your videos. if I don't turn the volume off, your music makes me have big meltdowns and I can even go into sensory overload shock and end up in the hospital. I don't understand why everyone is obsessed with adding unnecessary bass beat to everything. It adds nothing to the content of videos and just makes It impossible for people like me to watch.