From Intermediate to Expert: Ski Tips that Don't Suck

[@liamH47]

The snow snob thing is so true. Not an option for us east coasters lol

[@Destiny-I-Draw-Things]

😭

[@riseandalpine]

East Coasters always have the best mindset & usually some pretty bulletproof knees

[@jasoncapecod]

Ski the East..Born from Ice

[@KZ-yu4jz]

@@jasoncapecod Hitting up Sugarloaf and Le Massif in late December. Hoping there isnt too much ice 😅

[@jasoncapecod]

@@KZ-yu4jz Le Massif is the joint!! but if there is snow, I highly recommend Massif du Sud!!!!

[@foyorama]

Right on, I always tell people the best thing you can do is ski, if you only ski 10 days a season after 20 years you won’t be much better. If you ski 60+ days a season in five years you will be an expert…..

[@riseandalpine]

Absolutely! Once you break that 30 day a season threshold (which usually equates to at least once or twice every weekend) You'll without a doubt improve.

[@bearclaw5115]

You can get better at 10 a season as long as you are being really intentional about improvement. 30+ definitely better for sure. Sadly, I think the average skier only goes 7 times a year.

[@pobass007]

If you ski 10 days a years starting at 3yo, with lessons, you will improve more quickly than if you ski 20 days a years starting at 25yo

[@Andre-ti1hj]

not even 5 years i went from barely doing greens on a snowboard to double black by just going 3 times a week in just one season

[@katahdincloud9803]

I will just call myself an expert then. I think what you are describing is an ultra expert. A triple black diamond person. I am a black diamond person.

[@HawgRiderBC]

Great advise, for youngsters. I'll be 67 this year, and I don't bump or jump anymore because of my bad back. The trees and pow are my favorites. And you gotta ski at least once a week. I try to ski Monday, Wednesday, and Friday if the conditions are good enough.

[@riseandalpine]

Skiing 3 days at 67 is the ultimate dream. I'm sure all the youngsters are gunning for a schedule like this when they older. I sure am.

[@HawgRiderBC]

​@riseandalpine You're living the dream to James. I'm proud of ya for becoming a full time (during the Winter) KZbinr. Back in my UI (unemployment insurance) ski team days, I'd beg to be layed off every Winter so I could go skiing all the time.

[@LifeExotics]

I started skiing in my mid 30's. Following my friends was the key to my progress.

[@riseandalpine]

So sick you had a good crew to follow in your 30's!

[@KZ-yu4jz]

LOVE IT! I was shocked that I agree 100% with everything you said.... I was going to recommend some hot sauce, but you took care of that suggestion at the end. Some key things I totally agree with: If you get good at moguls, it will really improve your tree skiing since there are so many natural features and moguls within the trees. Trying to get a little out of your comfort zone (skiing a little faster, steeper, etc.) within reason really does make you better. Try to focus on improving at least one part of your skiing, but make sure you are having fun.

[@riseandalpine]

Sauce is key hahaha

[@res_ipsa-REX]

The best thing about skiing is the freedom to "choose your own adventure." Obviously you stay in bounds, but a lot of resorts are so large that you forget there is even a boundary. Lots of other activities are exhilarating, but you feel confined like car racing on a track. Skiing is like off road dirt biking where the varied terrain is your playground and you have the freedom to choose your lines. Very similar to surfing.

[@riseandalpine]

I agree. The Freedom is what makes it so fun. Just turn however and wherever you want. It’s the reason I can ski the same mountain and runs and never feel bored. Every lap is a new adventure.

[@HawgRiderBC]

@riseandalpine Skiers are like bikers. We're adrenaline junkies. The rush of riding my motorcycle is the only thing that comes close to my love of skiing. Hopefully, I'll never have to give either up, but if I had to give 1 up, it would be motorcycling (sshhhhh, don't tell my bros or they'll beat me up).

[@adamschultz1994]

I have been a skier for 36 years. These tips are absolutely spot on! All of them!! Great video. If you are looking to become better do exactly what he is tell you. Could not agree more.

[@riseandalpine]

So glad you felt like I nailed it!

[@mrisaax1747]

Great video, I especially loved the part about finding inspiration. A huge part of skiing is mental/emotional and one of the best ways to gain confidence and realize your potential is to see that others are capable of great things and so are you.

[@riseandalpine]

Inspiration is huge!

[@andrewcawte6610]

Mate, I’ve followed you for a while because I’m interested in where you’re skiing and what you’re doing but I didn’t realise you were a philosopher. This is the best advice for ski improvement I’ve ever heard. Chapeau!

[@riseandalpine]

Was nervous about doing a tips video so really excited to see such a positive response.

[@jasoncapecod]

I have been following you for a long time..this is your best vid yet...I'm 62 and still learning..Moguls are the key!! Become proficient and the rest is easy...

[@riseandalpine]

So happy you like this one. Was nervous about posting a tips related video. Sick you're still ripping bumps at 62!

[@knitsandnature]

Yay !!! Love the bumps too!!

[@lucasrocha633]

I'm a snowboarder, and this is my second season here in Canada (I'm from Brazil). I had never seen snow before coming to Canada. My first attempt was skiing, but I didn’t like it (it’s not for me to control two legs separately hahaha). At the beginning I almost gave up because it’s so hard for an adult to learn from zero, but I decided to do exactly what you said in this video. I bought the Grouse Mountain Winter pass and went there sometimes twice after work and all day on Saturdays EVERY SINGLE WEEK. I still have a lot to improve, but now I'm feel ready to ride the Flute Bowl and the most easy black runs. thank you for inspiring us every day!!

[@riseandalpine]

Lucas! so stoked for you brother. Grouse was where I leveled up my skiing too. The Y2Play pass was like 150 bucks and I tried to guy whenever I could day or night. Excited to keep hearing about your progression!

[@s.simm93]

Just went skiing for the first time at 31yo yesterday. It was one of the funnest things I’ve ever done. This is a great video and had a lot of good info I’m going to apply. Thanks for taking the time to post it!

[@riseandalpine]

So happy you caught the bug!

[@the_sheet]

i grew up in Abbotsford in the late 70's. Skied at Grouse, Baker, Hemlock Valley and manning park. Stopped in 1990 at age 25. fast forward 30 years, took it up again. I watch KZbin videos for technique. I ski as hard as I can go. I am right on the controlled edge. Now I am close to my 60's and there's no stopping me!

[@riseandalpine]

Never too old! I grew up skiing Manning myself!

[@calleX]

2 more weeks until ski premiere. Me and the wife are so stoked. This video is a perfect reminder for us to keep improving.

[@riseandalpine]

Have fun out there!

[@martinlim4967]

Thanks!

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks brother!

[@leefp6719]

Great Video! Proper pre-season training routine has been a game changer for me. I have always been fit and athletic, but focusing on workouts specific to skiing made all the difference. Sports agility, plyometrics, range of motion, Bosu ball workouts, ect

[@KZ-yu4jz]

So true... What trainging do you do? I found some ski conditioning videos on Andrew Drummond's youtube channel and it has been awesome. I no longer feel like hell after 1/2 day of moguls and 1/2 tree skiing.

[@riseandalpine]

Thats a wicked tip! I workout tons as well but don’t cover it much on the channel.

[@leefp6719]

@@KZ-yu4jz Here is what I do 3 months before the season. - 5x a week weight training focused on compound exercises - 4x a week Beachbodies Insanity or Asylum program - 2x a week Bosu ball workouts like on the Outdoor Adventure Training channel

[@Jeffrey58Smith]

I returned to skiing after 10 years away. The how to videos available now, including this one are so great. I have been focused on finding the best balanced all around stance and it is the goal keeper. Balance on both feet over the bindings. Drive with calves and butt down to keep heals down. Hands foward and its off to the races. Every new heart pounding challenge gets my hands forward and my butt down into this grounded tight squat. Feet together and my mass is low and compact and balanced. Win win, ready to respond to whatever. 😂 Shred the blues with great technique rather than sucking on black diamonds. Its all about having the most fun and being safe.

[@riseandalpine]

The goal keeper. Super cool way to think about staying super athletic.

[@Yooouser584]

I always feel compelled to thank you after every video you post. Today you gave some truly valuable and honest fatherly advice. Once again, thank you James!

[@riseandalpine]

Thank you for always commenting! I really appreciate it and it helps the channel grow.

[@mtadams2009]

I have been skiing for decades, I turn 65 in a few days. What has helped me is something you said. I ski with better skiers. Two of my friends are level 2 ski instructors. They are so smooth and ski with little or no effort. I am season pass hold at Killington so sling bumps was important and tight trees. I got hit in 2008 and had a bad knee injury. I now ski less bumps but I still ski fairly hard. We always take a trip out west. This year it’s Big Sky. We are looking forward to skiing their steeps. I feel if you can ski steep bumps you can ski anything. Bumps even now do not concern me I just don’t ski them all day like I once did. One more thing hit the gym and get stronger especially has you get older.

[@riseandalpine]

Hitting the gym is a great add on! Super jealous of your big sky trip. I really want to get out to Montana as well.

[@NikBoriskin]

Verbie in Switzerland has a famous Mont Gele run, 1 vertical km (0.6mi) of nonstop bumps with no bailout. Pure joy if you love bumps, torture if you don’t. 👌

[@ajsorensen2585]

Awesome tips James! Love it! The top tip is always to have fun : ) if you have fun you'll keep going and progressing, Skiing is a sport where the better you get at it the more fun it becomes, it's the ultimate freedom to be able to shred anything. When it's icy, and spicy, challenge yourself to ski better but first make sure you have sharp edges, great technique doesn't help if it's a true skating rink and you have dull skates, so have sharp edges for ice and learn to use them! Totally agree don't be a snow snob lol

[@riseandalpine]

Totally agree! Sharp edges are a game-changer.

[@mal91579]

So true about the kids skiing, learning by trying to keep pace. Our home resort is Snowbird which is already a very advanced mountain, but my 10 year old now rips especially little trails in the trees that require tight turns and has no fear on jumps. Whereas my skiing level has been relatively stagnant.

[@riseandalpine]

Crazy how fast kiddos progress!

[@jeffrines07]

Love the new video!! Getting inspiration and even some of the techniques here and there from the Godfathers of skiing can be a great way to refine parts of how you ski. Plus, sometimes you see them riding a different way that can open your mind and you can get those ….”ahh ha” moments. # 1 Seth Morrison- insane ability on the snow and in the air. If anyone hasn’t seen his movie exploits … spend an hour or four and enjoy. #2 Tanner he’s a great dude, and also shreds. Lucky to have met with him a handful of times. #3 Glen Plake he seems to never be having a bad day in the mountains. We could all take a lesson from the playful way he still plays in the mountains at the age of 60 or so. Have fun. Try new stuff. And don’t take yourself too seriously. Because at this moment in life it doesn’t get much better than sliding down snow in the mountains 🙌 Cheers!

[@riseandalpine]

Dude. Seth Morrison is a total legend. His front flips always blew my mind and her only had one speed FAST. I also loved watching Shane & the Gaffneys get after it too.

[@imfamemitotero7171]

¡Gracias!

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks brother!

[@OaklandHudec]

Couple things I would add to this great video. Stan Rey is amazing and has one of the best attitudes in the industry to go along with his insane ski talent. Also kids learn to do side hits and such but I would also add they learn how to crash as well. As a young skier myself being ok with crashing was a huge part in my progress. Sometimes you just have to point em straight. Thanks for the great video.

[@riseandalpine]

Great addition. Kids aren't afraid to fall. When you watch little ones they fall non-stop and get back up and keep sending it. Falling is absolutely a key unlock for progression.

[@HS-ob3fz]

stoked for the season, looks like it'll be a good one, thanks man 🤙

[@riseandalpine]

I'm just itching for the party to get going.

[@Destiny-I-Draw-Things]

Very good tips can't wait to test them on the trails :D

[@riseandalpine]

You'll have to let me know if they help!

[@dominicchatfield6414]

59 next month, new (ish) to skiing. Did my first ever black diamond last year, which was tough. Off to ADH in March 2025 and have The Saranne on my todo list. My tips for skiing, be as fit as you can, follow your better skiing mates and keep pushing whatever your limits are.

[@riseandalpine]

Never too old!!! I love this for you. Thanks for chiming in on the fitness portion. As a young fit guy, I totally left out how much the gym and being active can prepare you for a season of hard riding.

[@carterfan80]

All good advice. Definitely agree with your comment about side hits. I'm 46 and still hitting everyone I can find. And it's making me better

[@riseandalpine]

So sick you've still got the knees to cycle all the hits every lap!

[@carterfan80]

@@riseandalpine I can't let my kids out do me! I'm still the alpha up in this b****

[@chrisbizcoach]

Thanks James, wish you ran master classes. Got my whistler pass in the mail. coming form Oz ever year is what make my life so rewarding. Not sure how many ski days I can do this year. your vids keep me motivated.

[@riseandalpine]

Glad to hear you're coming this way again! Should be a sick snow year.

[@wayneedwards3767]

Great video. The side hits comment is SO true. I was watching and at that part of the video I had a lightbulb moment. My boys spend every cat track doing side hits, whilst I just run down the middle. This winter in Japan I will hit all the sides that they do, and even if I don’t improve, at least I will be having fun with my kids and giving them a laugh!, 😂

[@riseandalpine]

Great lightbulb moment. Nothing get's the kids more jazzed than seeing a dad rip a beauty yard sale on the side hits!

[@wayneedwards3767]

@@riseandalpine love a yard sale. 50 bucks is 50 bucks

[@Off-roading1]

When I was just doing the blues etc I found that imitation was good for me and that’s how I got better along with taking a better friend who can ski

[@riseandalpine]

We need to make an app where we pay better skiers to follow them for a day!

[@Off-roading1]

@@riseandalpine ya lol

[@djdksf1]

Glen Plake is awesome! And, a genuinely cool guy to boot. And, still killing it as a ski mountaineer. I've chatted with him a couple times at the Heavenly GunBarrel 25, and he's just so chill and an inspirational guy.

[@riseandalpine]

So rad that you’ve run into him! Super inspirational dude.

[@NikBoriskin]

Dude, you are just nailing it. Keep it coming! 🥂 Ordered 3 of each of your courages, will apply it at my crew at the Horse this February. Will see how that goes 😊🤞

[@riseandalpine]

Just packed your order! Ski Sauce + KHMR is pretty much life's greatest combination hahaha

[@zeitakulobusta]

Yeah dude, so much truth ;) Love the 'big blocks' of broader approach rather than an over-technical lesson (which is all good too for sure). 58 here and still feeling the stoke on skis and board ;) Loved the 'watching them doing 7's then doing your eagle jump' hehe....so true, but so what?!

[@riseandalpine]

Love that you're still crushing it at 58! It's truly a sporrt for a lifetime.

[@ZevIsert]

4:10 I found a channel that gets me hyped up to go skiing, just like you're describing! I watch all their videos, its super inspiring and looks like such a fun time. It's called Rise and Alpine 😊

[@riseandalpine]

You're making me blush...

[@michaeljackson6504]

This is the key to anything in life. Simplified into all you need. This guy needs to do Ted Talks

[@riseandalpine]

Glad this resonated!

[@j.p.6228]

Just ordered a few bottles of Liquid Courage. Fired up for those to get here!

[@riseandalpine]

Saw that! You're a legend thank you.

[@carsonmorris1444]

Super helpful and informative, and as always love the stoke and attitude! My girlfriend and i just moved up to skiing black runs last season, can't wait to hit the slopes again with your tip list handy.

[@riseandalpine]

Yo! Congrats on moving up to black runs, huge accomplishment Carson! You're going to unlock so much more terrain and ways to have fun this season.

[@tylerf1674]

I still have so much to learn skiing. Switched from a snowboard last season so I could better follow my son. Snow was scarce last season (23/24) but after one of the major dumps I used it to focus on steeper terrain so I could fall and land on pillows but it helped get over steeper terrain.

[@riseandalpine]

That's a great call. Snowboarding is lots of fun but super impractical for teaching kids. Soft snow is the play when challenging yourself on new terrain.

[@moofasaCJ]

+1 to following better people around to improve your own riding… I snowboarded for a solid 10+ years starting from my teenager years. Half the group I rode with were skiers which really forced my snowboarding level to improve in order to keep up with said skier pals. It only gets harder to find others to ride with as you get older so really take advantage of any opportunity to ride with others better than you.

[@riseandalpine]

I second this! It's a blessing to have the opportunity to ride with someone better and needs to be taken advantage of because riding buddies start to dwindle as you get older!

[@FritzFrank]

Great advice!!! My favorites: "Stop giving a f***", "learn to fall", "have fun!!"

[@riseandalpine]

Having fun is the key to everything!

[@jkjeffk]

Your first tip was spot on. Putting multiple days together is critical for building skills. It's not going to happen for you once a weekend.

[@riseandalpine]

100% agree!

[@matthewtucker3989]

This was a great video. Im 41 and only been skiing for 3 years but, my ski buddy is my 13yo daughter and some of the stuff you said she will be able to apply for mich longer than o will. I appreciate the thoughts, perspectives, advice and tip!

[@riseandalpine]

So happy you found it helpful!

[@normware]

Was ready to not like this: another sender telling me how to carve....but you were spot on with your advice. Practice is key, changing stance width dependant on terrain and turn type. If you're not falling you're not trying. I am glad you didn't get into gear too much as that is a whole other rabbit hole. Follow someone who can ski and your skiing will improve Using your ankles was what I was waiting for you to mention. Key in carving, and in my opinion - powder. My only issue is side hits. Seen too many yahoos going after "side hits" without caring where they come out. Seen too many hits and near hits. Great video!

[@riseandalpine]

So glad this resonated! Thanks for tuning in and leaving a comment.

[@scottoneill774]

Some of the best advise to become a better skier that I've ever heard.

[@riseandalpine]

So glad you think I did an okay job!

[@danialmeister3475]

That is the most productive rant I have ever heard, thanks man!

[@riseandalpine]

Glad you enjoyed the rant LOL

[@knitsandnature]

Such brilliant advice and tips!!! Thank you this was def for me lol!! Also as my grown kids point out. Don’t look down at how pretty your skis are look ahead where you’re going 😂😂😂😂

[@riseandalpine]

Very good tip from your kids hahaha. What kind of skis do you have? Must be some pretty nice top sheets.

[@knitsandnature]

@@riseandalpinetruth be known I have a collection 😂😂😂

[@patchcuratolo5201]

So excited to go to whistler in January hopefully I’ll see ya out there and hopefully I’m ready for the insane terrain

[@riseandalpine]

So excited for you!

[@martinnelson2137]

Great advice for any sport. Ski with someone better. Golf with someone better. Mountain bike with someone better. Great things happen when you get pushed Cheers. Martin

[@riseandalpine]

100%

[@craigsaunders3200]

Love your work! That vid is packed with a tonne of most excellent tips for anyone and everyone... Oh, but one point to add/modify: In my office, I'd much rather the guys call in "skiing" than "sick"!

[@riseandalpine]

Craig.... If you were my boss I may have survived the corporate world. All I ever wanted were like 10+ flex pow days per winter season.

[@craigsaunders3200]

@@riseandalpine their loss - our gain… clearly you have a much more important mission!

[@DuBCraft21]

On the note of powder being forgiving, even though it is probably the most forgiving snow type, it can still mess you up. One of the worst falls I've ever taken was on a powder day when I was going a bit fast and let my nose dip under the snow and ended up tomahawking extremely hard. That fall probably gave me a bit of a concussion because it was actually quite hard to get up and ride out after I fell.

[@riseandalpine]

Hopefully you recovered okay! I agree, any snow type can mess you up, but powder is more forgiving. Sometimes we get crazy when the pow falls "mad pow disease" and we all go full send which results in gnarlier wipe outs than the day to day.

[@erinb4919]

Great tips! I learned to alpine ski as an adult and now I would say I am in the advanced category and ski everything on the mountain and also am pretty decent at carving. I am jealous of all the kids who grow up skiing or ski racing because my technique will never be so perfect :(... Pretty much have done everything you listed in the video, in particular trying to ski a lot and always focusing on one aspect of ski technique whenever I am skiing. Definitely agree re ski every condition... I find it bizarre when people say 'oh, the conditions aren't great, so I am not going to ski'... If you only wait for perfect conditions, you won't have strong legs to ski the big powder days! And being able to ski well in all conditions is in fact indicative of being a really great skier! Also skiing is almost always fun, no matter the day :). Same for skiing moguls... I used to hate skiing moguls or skied them really slow--- because I wasn't a good enough skier... But purposefully trying to improve at moguls has made me a better skier overall...

[@riseandalpine]

Erin! So cool you've become a great skier as an adult. Those lucky enough to learn young will always have an edge, but it must be so satisfying going through the improvement process in the adult years. Such a good point about pow days... I couldn't imagine getting tired on the best days of the year. All the days with average conditions are preparing you for the big show!

[@Lloydski]

Like the 1985 movie Better Off Dead. The ski part where he tells his buddy. Just go that way really really fast, if something gets in your way turn!

[@jameslee7961]

As a snowboarder I approve this message…. One thing you forgot to mention is to ALWAYS spray skiers …. I mean boarders… to keep that rivalry going… All jokes aside, you’re dead on about going and skiing in all conditions and as many times as possible… as soon as I started riding 30+ days a season I started to improve drastically… 👍

[@riseandalpine]

Spraying isn't a choice, it's duty! 30 day seasons are guaranteed to improve your riding.

[@irideaduck939]

@riseandalpine All of this is good advice and I'd add two more items that were not talked about: 1) learn to use your eyes by looking further ahead (this was something I learned in an advance motorcycle class on the racetrack, as you look further ahead the sensation of speed is reduced. Stop staring at the ground right in front of you). and 2) ski the same run over and over, this provides familiarity and allows you to focus on your skiing skills.

[@riseandalpine]

Both awesome additions. Looking ahead can be super important especially when tree skiing!

[@irideaduck939]

@@riseandalpine funny, my comment about using your eyes ... I wasn't thinking about tree skiing. I'm not thinking your understanding the concept and how to apply it.

[@elliottdiedrich3068]

@@riseandalpine Important for racing as well.

[@matthewrobb2853]

Stoked to hear the Stan Rey shout out. That dude rips!

[@riseandalpine]

Stan is a total legend!

[@miskatonicuniversityavclub202]

I'm 39 I've been working at liberty mountain resort a few years, im a bar supervisor in the year round bar (I'm lucky we have 3 hotel buildings and a huge golf course so we stay open all year) I didn't even start skiing until last year and I'm a solid intermediate from the one season, came back immediately this season I've only been 4 times this year so far but I'm lucky last year I had 3 friends who are advanced helping me and this year I've got a freestyle guy who's super advanced helping me. I had never left the ground til today and had only gone down a single black once at the end of last year. Today I spent 3 hours in just the park, started with boxes and by the end hit everything all the way down that wasn't a rail (I'd jump the sides of the rail set up, I know it's frowned upon but they knew I was learning and there weren't many people bc of rain ) then at the end i went down my first "double" black (upper blue streak at liberty feels more like it should be a single but it is pretty steep) and went probably 40 mph avg. I feel like I'm progressing fast but it's amazing how much more comfortable cruising i am from knowing how to jump pretty hard etc. I've been doing all that on rental skis I got boots first and found a pair of twin tips on fb marketplace today but I'm a 30.5 and I gotta get em recounted. Sorry long exciting day though lots of progress and this advice is great thanks man

[@riseandalpine]

Congrats on the quick progress! Love hearing about it. New skis will make a huge difference.

[@DarrylCK]

Great tips. It is so important to get out in all snow conditions. There is good skiing and there is skiing that is good for you.

[@riseandalpine]

Great way of putting it!

[@gregorychristensen5165]

Great video! I’d like to add filming yourself or have a buddy film you. Use your phone or a camera (if that’s in your budget). It’s amazing how many critiques you can find in your movements from another perspective. Have fun out there everyone! Be safe! Be respectful of yourself, others, and Mother Nature. ❤

[@riseandalpine]

Insanely good tip! I've honestly never done this for skiing, but back when I was playing college ball, we would film and analyze our swings all the time, makes such a difference to see how you look from a 3rd person perspective. Just remember, you always look way worse than it feels. Especially goes for all the jumps and cliffs I do hahhaha.

[@Puzzoozoo]

I'm learning to ski at 67 [started Feb 29 2024], but the last time I fell - not a skiing accident - I dislocated my left shoulder, and at 67 I do not want to go thru that again, so I am cautious when I ski, and don't take unnecessary risks. But I can ski parallel across a run, and can now do it in tighter turns.

[@riseandalpine]

That is inspirational. Sorry to hear about the accident. Being cautious is totally okay, especially when the goal is skiing for as long as you possibly can.

[@jiayichen8111]

Watching your videos really inspires me to get out and ski!

[@riseandalpine]

So nice to hear that. That's the ultimate goal of what I do.

[@Migueiii65]

Brilliant Video…If You Ever Decide to Teach….AM IN

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks! Maybe I'll teach again once I retire.

[@williamdana6661]

1 tip i feel you could add is learn to use the terrain, espcecially importent in uneven mogals. which is also where you will learn it the quickest. you dont have to take every bump with your knees you can use bumps and rises to gap other bumps and smooth your ride or to deweight you skis to make a really quick turn if you need to shed a lot of speed use a bump or rise to catch your turn. nothing makes me feel like a rockstar more than making good use of the terrain.

[@riseandalpine]

Amazing point! So true. That feeling of jumping in between bumps and keeping things fluid all while matching the terrain is unbeatable.

[@PompeyBoy66]

All good tips. Following someone really helps.

[@riseandalpine]

Glad you liked these tips!

[@Coconautify]

"Snowboarder mogul bumps"... lol! Too true... geez the ole snowboarders are the ultimate terraformers aren't they?! No hate but, man they can really transform a surface from fun, to very challenging within a space of an hour! As you say though, turn lemons into lemonade... its all good. I agree with everything here that you say... especially skiing with someone who is more advanced - my biggest progression days have been when a friend challenged me to step out of my comfort zone a bit (sometimes quite a bit!) but the amount of confidence you can get is worth it. Challenging yourself to figure how to get down a steep hill is immensely rewarding and it builds your confidence each time. Although, it can be a fine line between challenging yourself and biting off way more than you can chew sometimes! I am perhaps in that rare demographic of your viewers in that I came to skiing really late in life. I am in my early 50s and only 'discovered' the joys of the sport three short seasons ago. As a young fella, I considered it an elitist sport full of w@nkers quite frankly... which is sad, because I missed out on how awesome it is. Having said that, living on a tropical island makes it still bloody expensive for me to get to the ski slopes anywhere! Anyway one final tip for older intermediate skiers I suppose is to understand the limits of your body. Turning 50 and getting older comes with real challenges... you don't bounce back as quickly as you did even when you were 40, and while I still think I'm a 20-something skateboarder-surfer... the reality is I'm not, and even mild injuries take a lot longer to recover from when you're older. I'm sure there are tons of people out there like me... so knowing when to ease off, keep the ego in check, and being realistic with your challenges becomes more important when you're older. Cheers dude, really great advice there - my challenge this season is to learn to carve properly and stop washing out my turns... I get really envious of watching people from the chairlift blasting down a groomer doing those awesome carving turns with high edge angles! One thing you might want to consider mate, it would be nice to get some perspective - especially on the steep double blacks - outside of the first or close third person view from your Insta360.... it never does the steepness justice. Do you think you'd be able enlist your mates or even some pro video guys to film you tackling those chutes, or even following you charging down a groomer? It would be cool to see how you do it with someone recording using pro camera gear - if you know someone! Just a thought. :)

[@riseandalpine]

So cool that you started skiing only 3 years ago. Proof that it's never to late no matter your age. Believe it or not I once taught a 65 year old woman on her first day of skiing at Grouse mountain when I was only 17. Great tips for all the older skiers out there! Also, I totally agree. I'd love to get more cool 3rd person shots, it looks so cool. But, it's tough to employ friends to hold cameras. Most of my friends work full time jobs and if we ski together on the weekend, the last thing I want to do is ruin their pow lap by asking them to hold a camera. It's also unlikely the channel gets to a point where I could afford to pay someone to film. I'll do my best to try and get more 3rd person shots this season!

[@Coconautify]

@riseandalpine all good dude, your content is awesome as it is, always humorous and inspiring.... it's why I subscribed. Hopefully your KZbin channel provides you with the means to do the fancy video stuff sometime down the track. Cheers.

[@davidgdgdg]

Really good video especially as I do almost everything you say! I think maybe the one thing I would partly disagree with is when you say get out in all conditions . The problem is that different conditions can be harder or easier. So it’s a bit like telling someone to get out on all different slopes. But as you rightly say a bit later, that’s a mistake. The best way to improve is to get out onto terrain that tests you but doesn’t go beyond your envelope. Otherwise, you’ll just get frightened and begin to ski defensively. I think the same thing is true of conditions . Sure it’s a good idea to test yourself on firmer snow and flatter light. But as with terrain choice, only up to a point. I’m quite a decent skier but I would gain nothing from skiing ice in a white out 😩

[@riseandalpine]

Fair enough! Ice and a white out is the worst of the worst. The key take away is to not be picky about weather if you want to get better. If you aren't working, go skiing, worry about weather later!

[@2204JCM]

Everything here is all good. Just to add: 1: Skiing (and snowboarding) is all about turning. So you need to be constantly working on your turning. Going down a blue trail in a tuck will not help you when you try to go down a couloir or through the glades. When I go down easy trails I turn as much as I can. This is what skiing is -the acceleration in the turns. If you can’t turn you can’t ski period. 2: I see skiers and snowboarders doing what I call “Just trying to get to the bottom” on black trails. This is where they go down a trail that they can’t ski on -can’t turn properly. They aren’t having fun. They aren’t turning much. Just sliding down the hill. If you’re not turning you won’t improve. They are taking risks and are a hazard to others. There is a big difference between sliding and turning. You need to pick trails that challenge you -but at the same time you can take turns on. Just try to force yourself to turn more and more. The beginner takes up the whole width of the trail turning. While the expert takes tons of quick turns and almost goes straight down the trail. So forcing your legs to turn when they don’t want to gets you to be the expert skier you wan’t to become. 3: Fitness, Fitness, Fitness. Whether it’s your first day on the slopes or you just won the gold medal. The better your fitness the better you will do and the more fun you will have period. I’m 58 and I hardly ever see people my age up on Spanky’s ladder. I take my fitness seriously all year long. If I didn’t at my age I would not be skiing glades and couloir. 4: Expect a lot from yourself. If you wan’t to get good enough to ski the double diamonds (glades and couloir) you have to keep expecting more from yourself -every run every turn. It doesn’t just happen.

[@riseandalpine]

Love these add ons! You nailed it. Turning is key and choosing terrain you can be controlled on is also a massive unlock to progression.

[@thefabulousplatypus8956]

I've recently done this transition, I started the process of really pushing myself about 5 years ago, I went from ''what's powder'' and only bombing down groomers, to now throwing myself down double black runs at Revy. I'm now early 40's... The only thing I could strongly suggest, especially for older skiers.. The more effort you put in off season at the gym, the more fun you will have when you ski. Start you pre season 4-5 months prior to season start... Ideally don't let it slip! the older you get the longer it takes to get back =) Find ski specific exercises, focus on; core rotation strength, lots of stairs, mountain walks (with weight in back back if possible). Plyometrics (ie; box jumps, split jumps). Super strong core! Bosa ball balance stuff. A bit of anerobic, ie max effort on a bike/rower for 4mins, 4min rest, repeat until you can't go any further. Squats, squats and more squats followed by a couple of deadlifts. Also work your shoulders big time. Lots of ski crashes result in landing on your shoulder. There are tons of videos on YT easy to find good content to follow -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/boSvdqp7hdqDetE Unless your young and/or live next to mountains... just a few squats the week before a holiday won't cut it.

[@riseandalpine]

Fitness is an amazing tip! Thanks for sharing with everyone. I tend to not think about it because working out and being very physical all the time so deeply ingrained in my lifestyle.

[@AnKangaru6005]

13:44 ik some people are gonna feel that this suggestion I'm boutta make is antithetical to the spirit of skiing and I honestly get if it's something most people'll never do lol but it's helped me a fair bit... Throughout seasons and especially at the end of them in anticipation of future ones, I make short check-lists for tips and for my form including stuff I wanna try and experiment with or what insights I've had and want to remember for future ski trips. There is a pretty huge scope to the kinds of notes I've taken honestly. At this point I'm pretty damn comfortable going fast on any terrain save for really icy n steep shit, during flood-light conditions, or on particularly large airs but I've come a long ways since I started making those checklists in spite of the fact that I don't get to go skiing much most seasons. I can honestly credit taking notes with a lot of that progress and with how much more fun I have on the mountains nowadays. I'll even include some stick figure diagrams to help explain some ideas about what to do and what not to do lol. I just bring it with me to the mountains, cram the info, and leave it in the car lol. Then when I'm done for the day, if I had some "aha" moments I'll take notes about it.

[@riseandalpine]

This is super cool. I've never tried this approach but I think it would work wonders. If you don't record your progress It's firstly hard to see progression and stay motivated and second is hard to remember what you want to accomplish in the first place. Heck, I think I might implement this myself!

[@KOKOBC]

I didn’t realize how much of an amateur I was until I tried a double black for the first time recently, got humbled real quick and although I didn’t fall, I ended up walking half of it ego destroyed because I was too scared, but yea you’re right nobody cares. Anyways yea what tripped me up were the bumps, I blacks I were skiing must’ve been groomed or something because it was just steep and I was making nice sweeping carves, but holy moly it was so hard to control my speed on the double blacks, not only was it steeper, it also had these deep moguls, I was honestly struggling to turn because if I turn I go too fast and the next big bump comes up immediately, nearly flying off every time. This video helped me a lot, definitely going to focus on the bumps next time on blues.

[@riseandalpine]

Keep crushing those bumps on less steep terrain and you'll get hte hang of it!

[@JaredG_WV]

Had to deal with my very experienced family making snow-snob comments as I relearned to ride last spring. Had to say I was going to A Basin closing day for the vibes but I was really going to practice sending it parallel down Humbug.

[@riseandalpine]

Love to hear that! You'll be skiing circles around them in no time!

[@shayneknox6247]

Love it! Jacked for this season.

[@riseandalpine]

Dude. So jacked. Could it just start already.

[@brianferris1]

A good tip is get a remote job from the US. Move to Europe. And then ski in the morning before you start work at 2pm. Find your crew which includes a couple of ski instructors. This really helps you get reps all week.

[@riseandalpine]

Getting a remote job and moving to Europe is the ultimate hack!

[@Doomst0ne]

12:40 hahah I like your style with the carving skis in the chutes! Very rowdy

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks hahaha

[@crnitzsche]

"Messed up snow boarder bumps," hahahahahaha love it

[@riseandalpine]

We all know how they form hahaha

[@anonymous134y]

calling in sick and flying to the Andes to ski now

[@riseandalpine]

I love that!

[@jackjmaheriii]

Right about 4:46 he gives some fantastic advice! 30% skills and drills. Go hard 70% of the time. Really hard. Then debrief yourself on the lift. This is true for all things, not just skiing.

[@riseandalpine]

Absolutely Jack! One of my buddies I used to ride with a lot was one of the least technically sound skiers I had ever seen but went so hard he was throwing double backflips in his second year. It's all about mentality and having fun with it.

[@slydogy41]

A Bloopers video would be a great addition to your list.😂

[@riseandalpine]

A bloopers vid would be great!

[@TheCoolwhipped]

A big part of learning to fall is accepting the fall. You typically don't get injured from the fall. You get injured attempting to stay upright. When you feel yourself falling, just let it happen. Keep your chin tucked, legs together, and arms in tight with palms towards each other.

[@riseandalpine]

100% Learning to accept falling is very important. You want to fall before you are out of control. You never want to fall because you are trying to stay standing, gaining speed and being out of control.

[@autumnsteel307]

me watching this breakin into my first double blacks be like: yeah. last season for me was short but absolutely epic. skiing went from being just a fun winter thing to a passion, when last christmas, my dad took me on this gnarly black at Rev. i was pretty scared, like "wtf did you get me into Dad?!" but then, just held my breath and made a turn down a drop, and it's been so damn fun riding the emotional high of conquering my fears ever since. though last run of last season was me trying to huck a small cliff and... not sticking it, and i am still at the stage of taking the gnarly shit very slowly and carefully, SUEPR excited for this season and the progress i'll make

[@riseandalpine]

Amazing! So excited for you. Congrats on starting to conquer more burly terrain and super glad to hear you are making slow and methodical progression. That's gonna keep you safe and progressing for a long time. Really excited to hear how much progression you make this season :)

[@zacharygippe7873]

You are right about snow snob.. i swear i would rather have crust with clear weather and no lift lines over a fog like powder day with shit lines if it could be helped. Lol and while i guess that sounds snobbish with weather cause i guess it is, i am willing to forego powder days for other conditions because in my opinion it makes your ski ability much more honest as well. But with the weather, if you cant see you cant ski simple as that

[@riseandalpine]

Super true! It's very hard to improve while skiing in the flat light (other than in the trees). Very scary to challenge yourself if you have no idea where you are going.

[@katahdincloud9803]

5:00 mins in and I know he is right on. Better than I expected and all valid.

[@riseandalpine]

Stoked you agreed with a lot of what I was saying

[@JEROMEGELB]

Every point you listed is spot on and will readily be confirmed by all us ski-freaks……..why? Because these tips are the real deal!!

[@riseandalpine]

Stoked you agree!

[@MM-vv8mt]

Last year I had a breakthrough sling moguls; ski your feet and not your skis. In other words, don't think about trying to guide your skis around the highs and lows, just be athletic and crash the tops with your feet as if you don't have skis attached. Like you did on the stairs as a kid.

[@riseandalpine]

Wow! Stoked you had that breakthrough and a super unique way of thinking about it. I totally get what you're saying.

[@itwasfresh5261]

Cant wait to apply these tips to my local 100 acre resort in southern PA 🤣, not a lot choices for terrain!

[@riseandalpine]

Right on! Making the best of whatever you got!

[@brendansailer6413]

You're my inspiration :D Hope to send some of the lines I've seen in your videos next season

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks Brendan! Which ones are you eyeing down??

[@brendansailer6413]

@@riseandalpine I think lines around the peak chair and new lines in spankys! I did Saudans last season and loved it

[@Livefree2020-j6h]

Started moguls at age 68, many falls and bruises. Now I ski lots more terrain than before, including trees. No longer feel like I'm only getting half the fun for the money.

[@riseandalpine]

Never too old! Glad you're shredding harder than ever.

[@TheSubieFan]

I live in FL and climb trad a lot. I really want to ski mo since in the winter I ice climb but fuck the lines are gnarly. Been skiing my whole life too. You guys are different.

[@riseandalpine]

I think climbers are gnarly!!! I guess it's whatever you're used to eh!

[@TheSubieFan]

@riseandalpine you should start ice climbing! It's not the fear it's the skill for me such a depreciation talent for me! You have lots of rad rock and ice in Canada and I'm sure there would be some cool climbs up and skis down.

[@kosycat1]

Gotta let more kids follow me around. Had one kid that after 5 laps didn't want to leave me lol. his family was at the resort and he was just riding alone but he was so stoked on my riding. but i eventulluy had to sneak away or else i would still be the to this day doing laps with the lil guy. lol 😂 😂 Working Park Crew this season at Saddleback. Hope I can make some peoples days on the mountain!

[@riseandalpine]

Super nice of you to late him chase you around! Respect!

[@kilroy1964]

Ok, this tip isn't for everyone, but generally speaking, a good way to improve any skill is to teach someone else. As a circus arts and acrobatics instructor, I'm used to breaking skills down for students. Anyhow, I just took my kid skiing for the first time, and my first time in many many years. While I've never taught skiing, and I'm no expert, I concentrated on the basics with him, and got him from zero to smoothly paralleling down harder blue runs in three days flat. The cool thing is concentrating on details for him made me improve my own skiing. I swear I was skiing my best ever despite not having done so for well over a decade. Bottom line, teaching someone else can help you improve yourself.

[@riseandalpine]

This is an amazing tip! Teaching is absolutely an amazing way to learn your own craft even deeper. Also super cool that you are a circus arts acrobatics instructor!

[@Loganb319]

Another tip I use: If u can’t ski, skate on ice. I play ice hockey and you’d be surprised how much they’re related, based on your technical movements like carving.

[@riseandalpine]

Gret tip!

[@AlexandraLewen-Yurasov]

Yes! I’m a figure skater and I did hockey when I was 7-10 and started skiing at 9 and I skied with my friends who started skiing when they were three and I did my first black at 10 at the same time as most of them and I notice it really did help me improve on top of skiing with them

[@AlexM-zc7ib]

Love Glen Plake, but Scot Schmidt is my favorite, pioneer of big mountain skiing. As well, I love moguls, seems like kind of a lost art these days.

[@ZevIsert]

When I was a kid, I had my skis signed by both Glen and Scot 😊 I think I still have that pair somewhere

[@riseandalpine]

Can't believe I mentioned Plake without Schmidt hahhaa. So sick you got your skis signed by them @ZevIsert.

[@ZevIsert]

I think my mom was more stoked than I was, at least when I was a kid - I didn't really care back then

[@jean-francoiscloutier7361]

Super great advises and info. Keep it up. Thanks..

[@riseandalpine]

Glad you found it helpful! Only a few weeks!

[@Pianoman-f6h]

I’ve been watching some videos of mt Washington on Vancouver island, looks fun! You should head out there this winter

[@riseandalpine]

I'd love to give it a try this winter for sure

[@redjetsen1002]

I have this friend that plays Bass in the reggae band appearing in the Whistler village frequently. He looked like Jerry Garcia with the bushy hair and the beard. One day he shaved it all off beard and hair, totally clean. Sometimes I wonder what you would look like all cleaned up.

[@riseandalpine]

I think I would look really young & chubby! Got a big head on me :). Honestly, it would feel nice to go short and grow it back out at some point soon. My hair is so damn heavy. Would be funny to do some sort of online draw and winner gets to cut my hair however they want.

[@redjetsen1002]

@@riseandalpine Look for Pat the Bass player plain' the reggae in the Whistler village. Say Hi he looked just like Jerry Garcia when he was all bushy .

[@slydogy41]

I always get stoked and excited to do a Spread Eagle off a Side hit after watching your vids James, but then 😢 ii nearly fall after getting a little air.😅

[@riseandalpine]

Love it!!!

[@blaisewyant5237]

Awesome advice… and I’ve been skiing over 50 years 😅

[@riseandalpine]

So glad you thought it was solid!

[@YouAintPassinMe]

This is also probably the best tip video ever❤❤😮😮😮😮

[@riseandalpine]

So glad you found it helpful

[@Coasterpostalt]

Enjoyed watching this video! All great tips! I'd also add to play with the pressure on each ski, especially in different conditions. I seem to always be best off with all my weight on the outside in the slush, and even distribution on the ice. By the way, I mean this in the nicest way, did you call the firm groom ice at 5:01? That's like a treat in PA!

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks for mentioning pressure! Super important thing to think about. My apologies for triggering the East Coasters with what I call ice hahahhaa

[@Coasterpostalt]

@@riseandalpine Not triggered-just jealous!

[@MiElas]

great tips, thanks!

[@riseandalpine]

Glad they were helpful