How To Get The Most Out Of Your Skiing – Harb Graduates Reveal All

Last month I threw in a challenge to our hundreds of past Harb Ski Camp graduates to share what's worked for them, so you can gain more of an insight into how to get the most out of your own skiing.

I am pleased to say we had some graduates take up the challenge, after all if you can't find a few minutes to think about your skiing, and sharing it with the world, what's going on – or what's going wrong!!!

I shouldn't need to remind you guys that skiing is one of the greatest gifts you can receive on this earth…. But I will!

When Mother Nature sets down a blanket of white dry snow, and the morning sun streams down through the surrounding peaks, when you see and hear your breath billow out into the crisp mountain air, there's a building feeling of excited contentment knowing you are exactly where you want to be!

In the mountains, away from the noise and bustle of the everyday, where you can be yourself and return to nature and have a fantastic time!

Skiing is a wonderful gift, and so I extend a big thank you to those that have shared their skiing experiences for you, so you can gain a little more insight into how to get the most out of your skiing this season.

Before we hit the stories there is a new opportunity for Sydney skies this month, to become a better skier.

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Skiing – Harb Graduates Reveal All

I'm just pissed that I didn't discover Harald Harb (HH) at the beginning of my skiing career - 15 wasted years going nowhere! Then you guys came along: some foot beds; some shimming; 10 days of HH lessons; and BINGO, it all just HAPPENS - BALANCE and CONTROL.

My somewhat skeptical son saw some video of my latest skiing exploits at Perisher and commented: "Hey dad, you now look like you're no longer afraid to fall over!"

It is hard to believe it is only 2 years since I did my 1st Harb course with you and Scotty at Perisher. Since then I reckon I've skied about 26 days including last week - i.e. 12 days in Canada , 1 week in Japan and 1 week in Australia .

On my final day at Perisher last week, it ALL CLICKED for the first time!!! EUREKA !

It all happened at about 3:00 PM on Friday and I skied until the last chair closed at 5:00 PM . I didn't want to stop in case it never happens again. I can put my finger on some "thoughts" that made it happen.

They were:

- focusing on the insteps going up on the T-bars -sensing the pressure under the sole of each foot; then doing the same pressure sensing skiing down again -staying perfectly centered (balanced) over each foot.

- bending down deliberately (flexing the legs more) before starting off down the hill.

Key 2 came as a surprise to me, though. Perhaps it shouldn't, when I recollect the video footage Scotty took 2 years ago; the one thing that bothered me was how "upright" I appeared.

Now, bending down and flexing the legs (still staying centred) my legs actually started working (contracting and extending) - BINGO!!! Suddenly, the upper and lower body could move independently. In retrospect it makes sense - if the body is too "straight" you can't extend the legs; fatal for bump skiing. By building in some "flex" in the legs before starting off, there's room to move - up or down. How could it have taken so long for the penny to drop? - best not answer that!

Peter N – Sydney

I did a Harb Camp in 2003 and since then I've never enjoyed my skiing so much.

Before the camp I was a very below average skier with poor confidence in my ability, even on the groomed slopes. I had previously tried non-PMTS Traditional Lessons, even private lessons, but they didn't seem to help. In fact, they seem to cause me more confusion as to what I should or should not be doing when skiing.

That's all changed for me and I now find I'm confidently taking on new slopes and conditions and enjoying it, thanks to the Harb Camp. Even my family remark that they can see a significant difference.

I've found the supporting Harb Videos, Harb Books and Harb Website are a great resource whenever I want to revise any of the instruction which I received at the Harb Camp.

Another major benefit for me has been that the Harb Camp improved the efficiency with which I ski. That means less tired and aching muscles at the end of the day.

This is a big plus for my older body from the safety viewpoint as tired muscles at the end of a day meant a greater chance of mishap and possible injury.

Lastly, the Harb Camp was a lot of fun for me. It wasn't full of the usual boring drills and the improvement in my skills occurred from day one. I finished the Harb Camp with a sense of achievement and was amazed at how much I learnt and have kept in my body-memory.

Paul M – Sydney

As you know, I've always been quite happy doing my own thing on the blue runs but got into problems on anything steeper.

I just thought it was because I had one stronger turn (on the right leg) and a weaker turn on the left leg. So my skiing consisted of a reasonable turn followed by less reasonable turn (call it pathetic!) and the steeper the slope, the more out of control I got and the less confident I became.

And so it was I came to you for guidance. After watching me try to traverse across a mountain on my weaker left leg, it became quickly obvious that my knee ' dropped in' and I was quite unbalanced.

I LOVE my skis with the wedge angled under my left foot. It's taken me a little while to psychologically accept that I can now turn equally well on either side, but now that I have I am over the moon. Slopes that I would have never tackled are now just waiting for me to ski them!

Last week I tried some black runs at Perisher - Parachute, Rock Garden etc and it was such an amazing feeling to generally have such good control going down them all. Using my free leg to assist in braking too just helped things along when I felt my speed was gathering momentum.
Riding a big traverse on my left leg, whilst lifting my right ski gave me such a lot of pleasure, I was screaming "Yikes, oh my goodness, who would've ever believed this...."

Simple things please simple minds I guess, but I was pretty happy.

I'm back down again on Wednesday and just can't wait to tackle a few more slopes....

Joyce O - Sydney

I came to your Fernie clinic by word of mouth (Barb and Dave Watts) and after hearing you present to the Sports Medicine Australia conference.

I expected to have my alignment measured and corrected as required, but had no idea how far out I was, or how hard I was working when skiing.

What I did not expect was the teaching experience.

I had not had any lessons for years and always found them to be annoying, in that you get taught tricks that don't work except in specific situations. The small group was of quite widely varying standards (another surprise) and yet we all learned and laughed and supported each other through the week.

It was a great group and made re-learning ski technique fun. The learning process was quite personalised with each member of the group having the others observing for progression with problem areas of technique.

The actual technique taught is really easy to understand and to do, with practice. I have been going back to some of the exercises to keep me on track.

After my recent week in Perisher I realise how much more efficiently I can ski now and how much my balance has improved.

Although this season has been excellent, the week I was there we had very high winds, some warmer conditions and a couple of days of really difficult and variable snow conditions. Even in poor light I felt stable, could roll with the terrain changes and react to unexpected kicks from deep and heavy snow with a minimum of fuss. I had no pain from skiing (except in one stupid fall caused by a definite snow snake) and almost no feeling of fatigue.

I have personal interest in functional anatomy and biomechanics (note: Louis is a Sports Medicine Doctor) and the Harb system of alignment and training has made me conscious of the advantages available to all levels of skier. I thoroughly recommend the program. It has made a greater difference than going to shaped skis. Thanks for the revelation.

Louis F - QLD

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