Is Deb Armstrong's Ski Advice Legit?

Elliott Reacts to Deb Armstrongs Video: "How to carve the ski"

[@sulydog]

A little about Deb Armstrong. She was named to the US National team in 1983, and placed third in a World Cup Super G a few weeks before the 1984 Winter Olympics. In Sarajevo she had her career highlight, winning the giant slalom, the first US woman to win a skiing gold medal since Andrea Mead-Lawrence in 1952.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah I agree she's very decorated, but I'm critiquing her video and primarily the other coaches' teaching styles.

[@spookyshark632]

A lot of the times, I'm more confused after watching a Deb Armstrong video than I was before.

[@imoldandyoureinmyway]

I've found her videos very useful. Some I do skip through, but she has some tips that I haven't found elsewhere. The videos have definitely improved over time.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah I think she is very well meaning and appreciate she's out here giving everone info for free, will have to check out more videos.

[@DreeziusHD]

I was waiting for this day! A shame you had a bad first impression, but TBF this isn’t HER talking about carving, it’s just one of her older vids about other perspectives. I hope you react to her newer videos. Right now she’s exploring hip drive through out the turn and I’ve been enjoying it.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Great point! I will give her another fair shot!

[@simongloutnez589]

The burn of the coach around 12 minutes, is so uncalled for my friend, he's not explaining to the kids, he's talking with Deb 😅 Take me for exemple, I can go on and on and on on what your body does during a turn. But with the kids, I adapt my language and lenght of explanation (with U8 I try to take no more than 10 seconds) (I can take more time with U16), and even the kids the same age don't have the same maturity, so thats something else to take into account. Also, gotta say for YOU to argue that you can't listen to someone cause he's been too granular, is quite hypocritical. just here in you're video, you went on a rant of 7 minutes repeating the same thing differently 😅 And I'm not saying this for you to stop being granular or sassy PLEASE DON'T, just that you could being a bit more open minded, its like you're so ready to disagree that you don't listen sometimes.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

fair point, it could very well be a tone and cadence thing too for me.

[@coloradoplankers]

Deb is an excellent teacher and her videos help bring some instruction to those that can’t afford in person lessons. I have a 16000+ subscriber off-road channel and people seem to love those videos. However if someone critiqued one of my early videos, I’d be like, really? It seems this was meant to diminish what she does to pump up your channel membership skills training. Maybe not, but just my honest thoughts from watching this. In reality, most of Deb’s videos are excellent. Teaching people skiing via videos isn’t easy. I was regarded as an excellent ski instructor, but I’d never try to teach people skiing via KZbin videos. Yet, Deb and Stomp it Tutorials do an excellent job with instructional youtube videos.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Not meant to diminish at all, I just googled deb Armstrong carving and this is what popped up, and I do live reactions. I also at the end talk about my gratitude towards deb. Maybe you didn't watch the whole thing? Also if you've watched my most recent video I review small ski brands and really could care less about clout. Gonna assume the best of you here that Maybe you're just new to the Content. I'm mostly being critical of those other coaches.

[@coloradoplankers]

@@RicketySkiReviewsI watched the whole thing that’s why I saw the plug for your channel membership. KZbin is hard and I try to not criticize other creators. I really want to make a video reacting to a big YT snowboarder who blew up by getting his pass pulled on my home mountain’s main teaching run. A run I would take 4 to 5 year olds on. My mountain made mistakes, but he definitely did too yet he covered it through editing. I want to expose that even tho I respect him as a KZbinr (his video quality and output is extremely impressive). However, I know being critical of another creator, especially one a lot people love (like Deb or the snowboarder), won’t go over great. Still, you gotta be true to yourself with KZbin. I wish you good luck!

[@rickcrispell1405]

I've seen many of Deb's videos and have always learned something even though I'm an advance skier. She has some good material and explains things in an understandable way. I get your point of over complicating things and that can create an overwhelming information dump on someone. Unfair to conclude from this video that she over complicates things on a regular basis though.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Wasn't trying to imply that at all, I was talking about the other coaches talking

[@JoeMinock]

She’s a gold medalist, can’t say I’d heard of you before this video found its way into my feed.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

But you have heard of me. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJe5k6aZm9yAnc0si=LUUZ9uoo6f9ML06b

[@Drwatcherman]

Echo the sentiments that this is a terrible video to judge Deb on- she’s a much better instructor than investigative journalist.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Cool, this was just the top result for "deb armstrong carving" when I tried to find a video, but I will take another look. Though as you can see the comments section here is pretty toxic lol

[@EdgarSnowSki]

That coach talk is not for the kids is for their parents to justify the price tag :) And what the kids say is is what coaches tell them ;) Simple.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Oh good point!

[@TD05SSLegacy]

Do SkiDadTv! Pleeeeese!!!! …You will be humbled 😮😊❤…

[@matejpintar446]

I think you are way above your league criticizing Deb based on a single video. She is way better skier and teacher than you will ever be. And i think she has different target groups. She is trying to teach adult intermediates, ski race instructors, ski racers, children..., every group has different needs, their understandings of skiing are different and also strategies how to communicate to these groups are different. Her videos helped me enormously, because i started learning how to ski when i was an adult. And I went straight to carving technique, no straight skis involved. I've watched your videos where you ski and i am not sure if you are an ex-racer or not. For example video where you tested Atomic Maverick 100 and 94. Or any other video where you are seen in 3rd person view and not from POV perspective. She is very legit.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I mean this video is not a good way of teaching, and the fact that you can't disseminate the difference between critiquing teaching weaknesses and someone's skiing ability is wild. Also if you want to see me ski it's right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHbLZ6GGdqZ7nbssi=1I93z0vWGcoNeNyS&t=28 I'm glad Deb helped your skiing, maybe she could make a video to help you with your personal skills. lol

[@kwwk6151]

She is Americas only gold medalist and PSIA alpine team member. Also when I was skiing mostly steamboat in the 80’s I believe she headed the resorts ski program after the Olympics. Now she mostly gives private lessons. At the same time, Billy Kidd was the resorts face. Everyone wanted to ski with Billy, but ski like Stein.

[@GrampyScott]

She’s one of the best. Her videos are so informative and she is great for the sport.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Agreed! Not criticizing her as a person and said something similar at the end

[@kevindi]

Deb Armstrong and her team of guests are all amazing. I hope you get inspired by her and some of her talented guests. guests. I’m a PSIA instructor and a USSA coach, and have been teaching and coaching for 17 years. Deb knows her stuff and knows how to coach. That kid in the video is now about 15 and is ripping!! That kid got so good because of that race coach that was featured. He naturally speaks differently than a 10 year old.

[@pamgoodley2209]

I like Deb a lot. Other videos will show (in my view) her ability to work well with kids she coaches. She does teach technique, although also emphasizes (I'll have to find a video) how important it is for kids to have fun and just ski and feel it. I believe the first child shown is Wilson, who has developed well as a youth racer.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

oh cool, I will check that out! Perhaps I picked a bad first video to start with.

[@pamgoodley2209]

@@RicketySkiReviews Elliot, I'm headed out to ski now and will try to find a couple other videos this afternoon.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

@pamgoodley2209 don't sweat it, have fun skiing! I'm headed into a snow storm myself right now

[@AndrewBurtonS-group]

Deb is in my top 10 for sure ski coaches shes great

[@simonorr594]

I liked your comment about fixing one thing at a time. I was coaching USSA kids and am now doing a PSIA program. PSIA has this snow-up philosophy, but many of the kids have such bad upper body posture they can't even get to a carve. I hear the PSIA instructors giving such complex instructions that I don't understand what is being said!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Agreed, less is more with teaching imo.

[@scottb6047]

Well, this video of hers doesn't fit your learning style. That is a very accurate statement. It does fit my style well, and that just means were are different types of students. Its not clear to me who the audience is for this video, I assume its for adults, not kids. Seems you assume the opposite from my listen of your comments. Who knows?? I will say I find her to be about the best and most knowledgeable video instructor on the internet. She's earned her rep in all ways possible. I also agree with you that this video is not very good and in my experience of watching her, most are much better. Kind of a snap judgement on your part and would suggest watching several more, especially newer ones, if you care about making a fair assessment of her. I do think most of your points are valid on this particular video.

[@10SMaxx-e5j]

Gotta be honest, Ive gotten a lot out of her videos. I haven’t seen this one before, but some of her videos are very good.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Cool will try to check out more

[@Jarequis2]

Watch the video where she skis with bode miller and Franz klammer. Don't have to do a review but just a fun watch.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I will check it out!

[@jons7e]

I love how the kids explain it in like 10 words, and the adults have a word salad that makes basic athletic movement sound so complicated. Can you imagine if they explained what happens when you walk?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thank you! Exactly, yeah my primary point is that this is not an effective way to teach.

[@faceinthecrowd5810]

As a retired ski instructor that always keeps my head in the game, I watch Deb’s KZbin channel on a regular basis because I like her observations and her advice…..I would love to ski with her and get her impressions! Rickety Ski Reviews are a regular watch for me too, enjoy the honest feedback.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thanks!

[@Jruss1915]

I love watching Debs videos. I think she is amazing and not a know it all.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Some ski instructors remind me of old school piano teachers. Do it by they letter, do it by the method, must be done the same exact way because there's only one way to train someone to play the piano.

[@brianmccormack84]

Don't bust on dab she is legit excellent instructor couldn't finish watching the video Elliott to drawn out

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I agree I couldn't finish it either

[@ricksands9810]

I’d be curious for you to do a review of Carv digital coaches. Also, big picture Skiing.

[@mbtravel7294]

Darren Turner is my favorite

[@74neverlast]

@@mbtravel7294 thanks for the hint!

[@55Herman]

Great idea to review the ski instructors. Interesting. More of this.

[@alanbrown5802]

You are missing the point! Why would anyone watch a video like this? Personally, I look for one or two tips that I might be able to share with my kids or friends. No need to become a racer if we can only get to the mountains a dozen times a season. Deb Armstrong certainly has great credentials! She's always looking for better ways to communicate to skiers at different skill levels. Olympic Gold. She's been coaching young racers for decades and has been putting out helpful videos for many years.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Great point

[@phaethongr]

Great comments on distinguishing symptoms from underlying causes. And of course on working the technique from the bottom up (ankles first and then all the way up) instead of the opposite. However, there are some fundamental positioning issues that sometimes prevent you from even being able to perform the basics. So yeah, crunching or leaning back or poles might not be the cause, but getting a basic body correction every now and then will allow even the feet to work more effortlessly and focus on what's really important.

[@zachtackski]

I like the beginning of the video talking to athletes about the feeling of carving. When my athletes “get it” I always ask them to explain the feeling and what they focused on to make it click.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally and these kids describe it really well

[@blurglide]

I do to, and almost never get a coherent answer! What have you been hearing?

[@PR-rh9qm]

Well, the kids heard it from their coaches. There's no way a kid comes up with "trust my skis" on their own. Someone is teaching well. I credit Deb Armstrong with excellent enthusiasm and inquisitiveness about how the sport is still changing. She admits there are things she doesn't do so very well and enlists other experts, interpreting what they say and asking them if she's doing it right. Lifelong learning! For some people, the technical/mechanical engineering approach makes sense too! If you want to see an excellent video, try this one by Andy Bennett of Ireland (of all places). kzbin.info/www/bejne/laiqq4mBoZmijq8

[@tridoc99]

I know it is hard to make content, but a lot of people that get you in their recommended videos probably has seen a lot of Deb Armstrong videos and already has a lot of respect for her. Talking bad about her probably isn’t the best way to get more subs. Especially because this video isn’t super representative of what she puts out. No hate, just some constructive criticism as your channel grows.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah it wasn't meant to be an attack just a critique, but the feedback I'm hearing from you and others is that she has better content to assess, I just googled "Deb Armstrong Carving" and this popped up (probably because it's old and has a lot of views). Will be happy to assess her on a better video. TBF tho I don't really care about Subscribers, I'm just here to tell the truth and give people my honest opinions. Nothing but love and respect for Deb, will react to a more current video of hers soon.

[@margaretreid6570]

Dont watch Debs videos if you dont like them. I have been skiing for a long time and love her videos and passion for the sport. I learn so much from her videos and she has followers from all over the world including myself from Scotland. She is a first class skier and teacher, not that you dont know that already. 😂

[@andyhoban-nx1yz]

Dude you’ve got some good content and know your stuff but the positive stuff is much better than the mocking stuff.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I'm not mocking Deb specifically, I'm trying to be critical of those coaches who are explaining things in a complicated way vs kids who are explaining it well.

[@calleX]

You hit the nail on the head with how convoluted adults are explaining carving. It's all like angles and lines and rolling, fulcrum, pivoting, transitioning etc. Feel like I'm listening to an aerospace engineering lecture.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally agree, it's just not a very effective way of teaching imo

[@DM-yh6ok]

Deb audience is different than the general self help skiing community. It seems to be more of a personal journey and to inspire older folks to to improve/stay in the sport.

[@TheNcmore]

Some ski instructors have an explanation/demonstration method that works very well for some folks, but just doesn't click with others. And so, I take nothing away from Deb to say that for me, I am too often left with a "WTF?" rather than "wow, I get it now" impression from her KZbin ski tutorials. This is consistent with my take from a wide variety of instructors I've had, even at the same mountain/ski school - some are brilliant at communicating / demonstrating some missing element in my technique, whereas with others "what we have here is a failure to communicate" (to steal a line from "Cool Hand Luke", and those lessons were only slightly more fun that Paul Newman trying to stay standing barefoot on pop bottles.

[@jeffspicoli2643]

I ski from 8am to 4pm Monday - Friday and Sundays with my kids. I’ll never be a ski racer and this video inspires me to make sure everything is where it should be, relax and have fun carving.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

That's awesome!

[@darinsmith2458]

Before I watch your review... I learned skiing with straight skis.. I remember Alberta Tomba (However you spell it).. His racing style and the racing style of men were all about laying back on the tails and whoever reacted best won.. Women at that time and now were a lot more technical then Men.. My guess is that Deb Armstrong is very technical.. I started racing in high school and I was ok.. A couple years after high school my high school coach talked me into racing a senior league.. I was able to practice with the high school kids and the also able to practice with other senior leaguers.. I did get better that way but when I really started getting better was when I started practicing with Parks.. I raced against one of the coaches and he got me into Parks and he introduced me to the other coaches.. I always had to let the kids go before me and I was cool with that.. There were a LOT of parents that would yell at their kids and yell at the coaches.. I just stayed away from them.. One day one of the coaches let me take a couple runs with their skis.. That changed everything.. The skis held so well in the turn and then they would spring me into the next turn.. I no longer had to turn so early.. I did buy a pair of them and my racing really took off.. Shortly after that shaped skis entered the picture and we all had to start over..

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I had a poster of Alberto

[@michaelaronson9447]

She loves to share. Skiing is fun. However to each their own. You can take her advice with a grain of salt. Lots of info. Almost too much info. Just get out there. Take some private ski lessons from a professional and stay happy.

[@jenniferjones2480]

I watched her KZbin videos and taught myself to ski and I’m an adaptive skier! Maybe you should have watched her videos and learned about her BEFORE you critique her. EVERYONE has an opinion and EVERYONE thinks they know how to ski better than the next guy but she’s a legend. Just sayin…

[@RicketySkiReviews]

This comment will be featured in our next video, so keep an eye out, thanks for watching.

[@leenestle]

Technically it’s not really muscle memory that you are talking about:). Below is an excerpt from popular science regarding the topic: The parts of your brain responsible for that movement, mainly the motor cortex, develop stronger connections between neurons that serve as the representation for the motion, and it’s these connections that make the memory better and easier to access. People

[@RicketySkiReviews]

True I misspoke, your working towards feeling and then getting to a place of muscle memory to do skills on command

[@hsydhxhxbdbxhx2338]

Best ski channel on KZbin

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thank you!

[@bc6881]

Huh?

[@kambizmerati1119]

OK now that you gave can you come up with a better instructional video series? Or at least introduce one? Because Deb's vidoes, in spite of all the imperfections you just listed, fairly or unfairly, have been the most valuable resource for me so far to improve my own skiing technique, and also teach my friends and their kids.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Tbh it's pretty rough around the edges since it's a new format for me, but I just launched a how to carve guide a couple hours ago

[@francis__3624]

This kids have good responses because they have good teachers... 😑

[@RicketySkiReviews]

That's what every coach who ever coached near Bode in NH used to say

[@TheBeingReal]

If you want some awesome carving technique, look up Harald Harb PMTS.

[@dasalpengluhen1747]

Has someone told you already, you could be Waldorf or Statler easily 😂😂😂

[@jehjay2600]

LOL --- Deb's videos got a lot better -- and then got MUCH WORSE... She's a font of knowledge but can spend hours obsessing over whether you should pressure your pinky toe or fourth toe on your inside ski.

[@stevenpeterson659]

The PSIA has lost their minds regarding carving. The truth is we probably should not teach people to ski utilizing the whole slope considering the increasingly crowded slopes. Rather the focus should be on learning to ski a narrow line IMO.

[@jasonracey9600]

Exactly. The last time I carved I almost ran over a little kid going straight across the hill and got yelled at. And this was practically first chair. Carving is overrated. Try carving at Mount Baker lol.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Oh great point, I think they just meant to do it to find the issues but I agree

[@squarrl]

All I remember is get more forward and keep your hands up.

[@oliverocket]

I'm glad that I'm not the only one with the same opinion. I only found out that she was an olimpian from your video. After watching a few of her videos before I gave up. She is not better than the other instructors at explaining. She uses strange and comboluted metafors to explain. I left with the feeling that she really doesn't want to explain things clearly on purpose. The only reason I could think of why would someone be so vague and abstract in their explanations is to get you to pay private lessons or a ski camp with them.

[@kjtennis1254]

This sounds like a PSIA clinic. I can’t watch anymore.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Lol wut? I'm not psiaa I'm ussa Certified (not that it really matters)

[@simonorr594]

I have one tomorrow at 7.30 am. Dreading it. They are trying to make me ski like an old man 😵

[@kjtennis1254]

@@simonorr594 resist

[@coloradohikertrash9958]

I've seen a few of her videos and I guess the nicest way to put it is I've always found them a bit intense for my liking. She would probably be a really good instructor if you respond to a high pressure environment well.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Well said!

[@davidbeazer9799]

Skied with her for a week at PSIA National academy, Big Sky, Montana, April 2019. Great to be around, not high pressure. Great Teacher! Learned a ton. Life long friends now!

[@osceolaseminole5596]

Her videos are a lot better when she's doing the instructing. This one was bad

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Will have to give her another fair shot! I just googled Deb Armstrong Carving, so likely google just went with an old video bc of the views.

[@vassilok]

Dude I do like your videos, but they too “are a little rough.“

[@RicketySkiReviews]

fair

[@juliodominguez4750]

She is a gold medalist…end of discussion.

[@perro0076]

Golf has the same crap. Remember, these instructors are making a living. A professional golfer can teach you to hit straight in half a day, if not less. But the teaching method is designed to get the most money out of you. I can teach to a good intermediate in a day. Start with 1mt long skiboards and go from there. No snow plough rubbish. Straight into parallel skiing.

[@jordanlevitt6639]

I think that she is very legit in her experience and knowledge. That said, I find she is far too wordy. The best caoching IMHO uses very few effective thoughts. One at a time, and apply it iterively.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

True, like better word economy

[@calleX]

This ought to be good

[@laowai2000]

8:55 at 52 years of age something would break trying to flex like one of these elastic kids!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

True

[@davidmartin1012]

Rickety, I've seen half a dozen of your clips, all presented from your backyard. When can we see you skiing?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Click around, all of my ski reviews have clips, pov and third person

[@anonmotorider9997]

Would love to hear your perspective on Ski Dad TV's ski philosophy. He has a background in ski racing (friends with Ted Ligety, ex D1 NCAA racer, has ties with Deer Valley ski race team). Some of his most popular (and controversial??) videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jn6wZmyia66fprssi=jvUfteSNJYqIV6vu kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWrSgHdngJmApLcsi=9so5Jokv67w-zXgD

[@RicketySkiReviews]

You can see Deb's Original Video Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXKre3mXobOLprcsi=zfqea4nx9lfjFMps

[@leenestle]

Not clear on how to support you? Most folks have a link to patreon or their own site. Perhaps some additional details would help.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally, if you go to the channel page there's a "join" button I will try to include a screenshot next time

[@leenestle]

@@RicketySkiReviews so what’s interesting is if I do a web search, I see it on your page, but as soon as i click it, I get redirected to the KZbin app and it’s no longer an option.

[@leenestle]

It probably a me problem :).

[@RicketySkiReviews]

@@leenestle weird, will look into it, maybe try on browser/ desktop mode? sorry it's a new feature for me too

[@anatoli28]

Follow harb!!!!

[@perro0076]

Nooooo!!! Can't believe they're still teaching 'outside ski' BS. it's BOTH ski with variable pressure on the front cuff of the boot with your shins depending on the 'aggression'/speed. That will force the boot to do what it's designed to do.

[@alfuller6884]

BS