Skiing Exercises

I'm about to join the ski team. I've been skiing recreational for a while, but I'm not too good. Advice?

This year I decided to join the ski team. I don't really expect to win any races or anything, but anyone have advise? I've been skiing about three times a year since I was six, so I've been around it but I'm not too good. Here's about where I am: Still snowplow, will have to learn parallel. Been down Black diamonds maybe twice. Very scarey. Most websites rated that just a step below advanced. Suggestions? Comments?

Public Comments

1. Try not to fall. Especially if it's icey. Lord, that hurts.
2. take some lessons or go to a camp, but frankly if you are afraid of a black diamond how can you handle a slalom course. my team sets our courses on DOUBLE black diamonds and most races you could be in would be on a black diamond. you will need to pick it up very quickly if you want to be even mediocre at racing. Frankly, if ur still snowplowing, clearly this type of competitive skiing is probably not for you.
3. Don't be intimadated by the best racers or the courses. Don't worry about the other racer's times. Just do your best and have fun. Try to improve your times each run. You will pick it up pretty fast. I am on a Highschool race team an have seen people who have never skied before turn into decent skiers in a couple years. Good Luck!
4. what I found most helpful is to follow Bode Millers advice "It's between you and the snow, if you fail horribly it's between you and the snow, if you succeed it's still just between you and the snow, so leave it all on the hill. Your going to raise your chance of injury but it's worth it!" I followed his advice and just said no what I know I will yardsale at least 3 times this run, but 6 runs from now I'll have it down to 1 yardsale, and 6 runs from that point I'll have mastered this run! so just suck it up for a while, endure the bruises, and before you know it you will be zipping down that mountain faster than anyone.
5. good luck on the team. any advancement in skill will come with the practice sessions. if you're in a wedge , then you ARE NOT a step below advanced. that would be considered a strong beginner. just because you've been down a black doesn't mean you should have gone down it. despite your lack of skills the team will really help you out because of your commitment to go. go. do it. have fun. you won't win. don't be dissapointed.
6. You are about to make a great step! Joining a ski team is going to help your skiing immensely! Your skiing ability will increase potentially. With the right training you will be away from the snow plowing and using hockey stops and side skids mostly. Your skiing ability will grow and you will find that being forced to turn on a race coarse is a lot different the choosing your turns on an open ski run. This is going to really improve your overall skiing. Don't worry about winning right now, eventually you will. The comeradery is also great!
7. if your only going to be racing and how well your style is doesn't matter then just go as fast as you can with control. However make sure not to fall