Don´t Look Down the Hill, Look Here Instead | Ski Myths

[@elbojoloco]

That centripenal force always gets me while trying to ski level headed. Very glad someone finally invented a way to represent these forces and help me overcome them.

[@StompItTutorials]

It was a joke.

[@elbojoloco]

@@StompItTutorials This is awkward, I was continuing the joke. I should probably have used some kind of emoji 😂

[@danielgo942]

Yoo the channel getting even better than it was. Keep up the boldness like with the spirit level. Superb vid.

[@StompItTutorials]

Glad to hear it!

[@markurta1]

This is potentially the funniest ski instruction video I have ever seen. Jens, I am looking forward to trying all your tips and tricks to improve my carving in Hakuba in 2 weeks.

[@indiggioman]

As a mogul skier, I was taught to not to allow the eyes to lock onto a bump and follow it closer, instead allow the eyes to float down the hill 2-3 bumps ahead and let peripheral vision and memory to ski the bump immediately in front of the skis.

[@rollydezayo]

Jens this video made my day. Hilarious! I get a lot out of your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@StompItTutorials]

Thanks for the input. I guess that works just fine in bumps as you dont ski soo fast that it gets very blurry.

[@JB-tu1to]

You had me at duct tape, but the huge level takes your video to, well, the next level! For a follow up, maybe attach a bathroom scale somehow to record pressure? Thanks for your helpful advice and keeping us smiling! Great work!

[@KevinStefferDk]

Jens you are fantastic with the levelmeter on your helmet 😂😂😂

[@StompItTutorials]

I cringe everytime I see it!

[@KevinStefferDk]

for a second I jumped rigth in. I’m in the middle of packing for a week in Tignes next week and maybe I should bring a levelmeter or maybe not 🤣🤣🤣

[@anthonypmcbride]

Brilliant! My 12yo and I just took time out to watch this while watching old Pink Panther movies here on the sunny Corromandel Peninsula in New Zealand. We both agree that you missed your calling and should have gone into comedy! Love your work - even the actual coaching vids!

[@StompItTutorials]

Haha thanks :)

[@neoissigmaboy]

im from napier hawkes bay in new zealand

[@CptBouchard]

You know there are smaller spirit levels? Nonetheless, you had me have a good laugh 🤣 Anyway, thanks for the tips; the examples with the crosshair make it easier to understand.

[@StompItTutorials]

Haha. Yes, I just like the big ones. 😅

[@m.bird.]

In mountain biking I have a mantra I repeat to look ahead: "now and next". Gotta keep an awareness of both those space/time places.

[@StompItTutorials]

Now and next - that's a good one.

[@moogskiandorra]

I'm an instructor and often teach to look down the hill but as in most things you say students only partly do what you say but it can cause too much separation in certain circumstances so with advanced skiers i say to look towards the apex of the next turn which moves with turn size and keeps a more appropriate amount of separation.

[@obi-john218]

Thanks for putting together this video on the myth to always look downhill. After 54 years of full-time teaching and coaching, I believe that the instruction to always look and face downhill is the primary reason that the vast majority of skiers skid downhill sideways instead of ever completing a carved turn or even a completing a round turn at any level. For a thorough explanation of this common instructional error and 20 other common myths, check out the book, 'Discovering the Joys of High-Performance Skiing; by Avoiding 21 Common Skiing Myths.'

[@StompItTutorials]

Interesting, thanks for sharing this information!

[@obi-john218]

@@StompItTutorials Thanks for replying Jens. Allow me to offer a solution that has worked best for skiers I have coached over the decades. The underlying problem is not what direction people are looking; across is just as bad as down. The solution is to not look at points, but visualize the entire arc on the snow that you want the skis to follow. Looking at points ahead of them will tend to make people either skid or traverse to those points creating Z skiing or linked high-speed skids between points. The key is to be able to visualize the entire arc of the turn on the snow ahead of you. It is fine to focus on what your body and skis are doing at various points around the arc, but in your mind, you must clearly see the entire arc on the snow you want the skis to follow, as though your carved tracks are already there in front of you. See what you think.

[@daandupau8013]

Its almost the same as with mountainbiking. You look where you want to goto. Your body and bike do the rest. When i bike i do not look directly infront but to the next turn i wanna make and where i wanna be in next turn. Good to know this! Thanks.

[@AlfrSjalfr]

@@obi-john218 This sounds very interesting! Something to keep in mind next time I'm on the slopes, as I have a tendency to "Z" when I get tired/lazy.

[@MichaelLewisMusic]

As pointed out a couple times already in the comments, it's possible that there is a misunderstanding about what it means to "look down hill." Does that mean "look way down there, maybe to the bottom of the lift?" It appears that this is what you implied that the phrase means and in that context then yes, it could be a myth. However, the phrase, as some of us teach it, actually means to keep your upper body pointed down hill which is impossible to do if I'm looking off to the right or the left. We want to have the proper body positioning so, when we're teaching, particularly younger skiers, we're trying to get people to avoid the dreaded shoulder slinging that happens when people try to protect themselves from the hill. When a skier is struggling with fear they will turn their body, almost uphill, bringing the downhill shoulder around too far which causes a loss of control with the back of the skis because you end up out of position. By keeping my head looking downhill (not necessarily down to the lodge but just a reasonable distance as you highlighted perfectly), it will help keep my upper body pointing downhill. Then I have to rotate my body so that my skis are going across the fall line but my upper body is facing the hill. When you do that, you can a lot of control over your skis. I hope that makes sense (probably need to do my own video). So I believe it's only a myth when applied inappropriately. But that's the way I teach it as a 12 year ski instructor.

[@StompItTutorials]

"So I believe it's only a myth when applied inappropriately." Totally its a good advice but better if a wee more specific.

[@MichaelLewisMusic]

@@StompItTutorials As you pointed out, people should not be looking down at the bottom of the run but should be looking a reasonable distance ahead to read the terrain. In essence you're still advising them to look "downhill" just not down to the lodge or the cute girl in the lift line. But it also applies to left or right which can affect your body position which is why we teach to "look downhill."

[@philstang1054]

All that is good. The issue with this, and lots of phrases used in sports instruction, is that is not precise and clear. If we are trying to avoid students from turning the skis by use of the upper body then best to state that goal.

[@MichaelLewisMusic]

@@philstang1054 Very true. This is something we should clarify to our students!

[@anthonyalpha4118]

Totally agree if you're only looking downhill you're going to miss all of the features and jumps & side hit opportunities. I've observed as I improve in the moguls I've started looking 3-4 mogul turns ahead. Until I cross my tips or lose my mojo anyways!

[@StompItTutorials]

Indeed

[@anthonyalpha4118]

@@StompItTutorials Thanks!

[@philstang1054]

Awesome video. They just keep getting better. Surprising that some folks didn't see that the level was a joke. I guess it was too subtle fro them 😅

[@StompItTutorials]

Yeah that one went over some peoples heads😂

[@franciscooper4771]

Best graphics on the internet!

[@StompItTutorials]

Thank you. henry is a wizard. 🧙🏻‍♂️

[@stevesmith9254]

Great job. ⛷

[@StompItTutorials]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dominicaguilera1630]

These memes were so good in this vid Keep it up brotha 💯🔥

[@StompItTutorials]

Haha glad you liked them.

[@markchristopher2373]

How about weight balance between the two skis according to terrain/conditions?

[@Rvdk89]

Frkn Legend, Jens

[@StompItTutorials]

Thank you mate!

[@jamesoneill2662]

Thanks for the vid! Where is it filmed? Looks lush

[@StompItTutorials]

Laax, Switzerland.

[@rasmuspedersen5147]

😂good stuff🎉

[@StompItTutorials]

👊🏻

[@gmoneymac23]

Myth that I used to believe: "Zipper down the fall line", unless you're a Mogul Pro :)

[@StompItTutorials]

Scary

[@Konstantin.321]

Держать уровень🤣😆🤙

[@pastiszabolcs3084]

Great videos, thank You! Been skiing for 30 years, but never "learned" it. Your videos help me understand a great deal about what is really going on. PS: I noticed your skies: are they atomic x9? would you recommend them for an all-day ski (I can usually bring one ski to ski trips)? I go off piste only like 10 percent of time and not for long runs.

[@StompItTutorials]

Great to hear! No the X9S is a pure piste ski. Its fantastic at that but not good for freeride.

[@pastiszabolcs3084]

@@StompItTutorials Thanks for the feedback!

[@WaechterDerNacht]

Arts and crafts with Jens... ^^

[@tridoc99]

As a a Ski Patroller all I could think about was what would happen to your neck if you fell with the level attached.

[@StompItTutorials]

All I could think of too when doing this funny idiotic sketch

[@StompItTutorials]

I didn’t buckle my helmet for that reason

[@tridoc99]

@@StompItTutorials I missed that! Good thinking!

[@andreatimillero393]

congrats for that triple back at the start of the video

[@StompItTutorials]

Worked hard on that one!

[@Coolcmsc]

Look where you’re going. Simple. You will go there. It’s the same riding DH bikes, driving a car on poor surfaces etc 😊

[@marktechsci]

It is the number one basic rule of any sport. Look where you want to go and look at what you want to throw at. The faster you go, the further ahead you should look as this “slows” things down and gives you more reaction time. DONT look at dangerous stuff. This will take you right to it.

[@StompItTutorials]

Pretty much!

[@___ko___]

I have only 3 meters level in mine garage. Is it good enough for this purpose?

[@StompItTutorials]

No. Bigger = Better 🤩

[@dennisdose5697]

So, Jens attempted to create a Carve system for his head. 😏🤠

[@jmlewis1]

The real key to keeping your head level is to put your GoPro on your helmet, and enable horizon lock.

[@StompItTutorials]

Haha thats cheating :P

[@johnchapman2856]

New jacket alert!

[@StompItTutorials]

Yep!

[@FLiPpiNpRidE]

lmaoooo the alien dancing

[@StompItTutorials]

Mythical

[@silentsoul7119]

I think one of the biggest myths hindering a skier's growth might be the "extend at the transition advice"

[@StompItTutorials]

Totally. I talk about the cure for it all though I talk about leaning forward in the next myth video.

[@ScottsAwatchin]

Wow. Enjoy most of the videos and great tips. But the move with the level? Not sure if I've seen too many less wise ideas. Ideally no one else even thinks about doing this. No matter how good you are, one wrong move and... just wow. The idea of what such a leverage point might do to your head and neck should scare anyone away from even thinking about this.

[@StompItTutorials]

Its a joke obviosly and its clearly stated at the end of the joke.

[@ScottsAwatchin]

@@StompItTutorials 1. Thanks. I might not have been paying attention at the end so totally missed that. 2. STILL kind of dumb! Even if you're great, one slip and you're screwed. Maybe that's true for a lot of higher risk activities in some sports, but no need to up the probabilities with such things. (BTW, I say this as a long time Fire/EMS volunteer who's seen some truly stupid outcomes.) Ever hear the joke about what's the last words you hear right before someone gets badly hurt doing something stupid? It's this phrase, "Hey y'all, watch this!"

[@jp4431]

It's just like driving. You need to look forward let's say 120-150m so you can anticipate what's happening in front of you. You don't need to look 500-1000m down.

[@korma9732]

I look much further ahead and use my peripheral vision to scan back, rather than look okingdownn.

[@StompItTutorials]

Thats good.

[@SuperDuperBub]

Is that A Stabilla!!

[@StompItTutorials]

What is that?

[@SuperDuperBub]

@StompItTutorials A brand of level that professional constructors use.

[@SterlingSigurdsen]

I always say look where you want to go.

[@imfamemitotero7171]

5:43 😅

[@Studio42Brooklyn]

AHAHAHAHAHAH amazing intro!

[@StompItTutorials]

Glad you liked it!

[@PateeSarasin]

I crashed badly in Japan cos it was so foggy that I could not see the bumps

[@werkcube7218]

Oh i dont can wait for my next time on slopes, everybody will take a Water Level on the Head.

[@Triggerboy62]

Hahaa..... this is funny :)

[@TheRealAlanStephens]

Staff: Now I have seen everything.

[@StompItTutorials]

Great!

[@Huttify]

Wait, an eight-minute video and 100+ comments about 'looking down the hill,' and no one mentions the real reason we do this? Yes, seeing what's coming is important, but that's not the main reason we look down the hill. Don’t get me wrong, I love this video-but it didn’t give the answer I expected. Rather than me providing a poorly executed explanation, here’s a suggestion: try skiing downhill with a heavy backpack-a big one, if possible. After a few turns, I promise you’ll understand why we’re taught to look down the hill. Trust me, it will make sense! Please, try. The cool thing is that it doesn’t really matter where you look. It’s just much easier to counter the one thing we’re trying to avoid by looking down the hill.

[@Huttify]

And please make a video of the first turns you try this. You will never get the same sesation again.

[@stefanmaas3026]

💐

[@PetesHakubaDiaries]

Damn I really liked my terrex boots, but that kit looks terrible, like oversized gym clothes 😅

[@StompItTutorials]

Adidas baby!

[@Leggir]

Look at the far enough down-hill that you can choose where you want to go. Especially when it's icy and you're trying to apex in loose stuff. Thus even on a steep ice covered slope I can often go 50-70 kph without worry.

[@StompItTutorials]

Sure its definatly situation dependent like depending on speed.

[@rubberside3969]

😂😂 that’s a click bait title. It’s great you took the time & explained how far down the hill to look!! In coaching racers that’s always a key skill to look 2 gates ahead & not gate to gate! Many skiers just look barely past their ski tips2-4m. The level on your helmet was a cool idea! Go back and check out the video of you & not blow off the result. If it’s due to centripetal acceleration wouldn’t the bubble, w no mass, go towards the inside of the turn, displaced by the liquid rushing towards the outside🤷‍♂️

[@StompItTutorials]

2 gates haa. In what dicipline? Slalom maybe? In GS that sounds to far down.

[@martinkrautter8325]

Is this Ski Satire?

[@StompItTutorials]

Yes

[@StompItTutorials]

The spirit level was a joke

[@adamev]

You couldn't find a smaller spirit level? 😂

[@StompItTutorials]

I brought a smaller but it was too small.

[@elliottsolomon3007]

😂

[@joeltell]

kinda ridiculous. No one ever says "look at the bottom of the hill" the advice is to keep your eyes and body downhill.

[@StompItTutorials]

Still unspecific mythical advice :P