need to get the 360 down

I am from Texas and only get to get to the hill a few times a year.  This year I have told myself that I will get the 3's down.  my last chance to go skiing will be in march and was looking for some advice on what to practice before and what to do when I get there.  So what have I done so far?  Well I just started hitting jumps this last trip and got a good feeling for the pop and that up and down feeling(like a trampoline).  I spent my last few days working on skiing switch and had the 180's down pretty well(forward and back) off of small jumps.  Well towards the end of the last day I decided to man up and go for it.  I tried to do it 3 times and this is how it went.

First try bailed and did a 180. after talking to a park rat they said it was all about the commitment so on the second I committed and made it 270 and was o so close to buttering that last 90 before I ate it.  On the last try I really wound up and over rotated by 90 and this one really hurt.  After that I limped down the Mt and decided it was not a good idea to go to the hospital the day before I left.  A few problems I think I have are spotting the landing, as in I don't keep my head looking down the Mt.  Also on the last one I am pretty sure I was a little off axis when I landed(but I think this is because I had an uneven pop).  So what do you have for me?

Use your head to send the rest of your body around then stop the spin when complete.  Start the  rotation by turning your head the direction you spin, I look left (when I used to do them).  A pole plant can also help.  I plant left and throw my right arm up and across to start the spin looking hard left.  Spin hard then spot the landing and spread your arms out front to slow the spin as your body follows your head still looking at your landing-planting the poles out front as you land also helps stop over rotating.. You can practice this on dry ground  Try it running off some small flights of steps (2 or 3).  Some folks also start with a pre spin, spinning the first part while leaving the jump.  But, the under over rotation can all be controlled by the head movement and arms.

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Originally Posted by skiing_TEX 

I am from Texas

That's your first problem right there.  And unfortunately there's no way to fix it.  Maybe take up water skiing or something.

Though I never had the nerve to try a helicopter on skis (and always wanted to), I was a gymnast prior to taking up skiing in my teens.  I'm too old for anything now, but....You might want to practice from a mini trampoline, possibly in shoes and then advancing to ski boots and ski boots with poles, to help you spot your landing and determine correct rotational forces.  This could train the body to effectively no where you reach the 360 degree turn.  This might work even better with a full size trampoline in Skis if you have access to a trampoline and some old very dull edged and light weight skis.   I really don't know if this will help but, it sounds like fun and alot safer then me trying a helicopter on the ski hill at my age to then try and explain to you how you might attempt a 360.

Based on my gymnastic ability, prior to skiing, I think this could work, but Old Boot is behind me cracking up, so others might have a different oppinion.

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Originally Posted by Chaos 

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiing_TEX 

I am from Texas

 

That's your first problem right there.  And unfortunately there's no way to fix it.  Maybe take up water skiing or something.

time will be the only cure :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiing_TEX 

A few problems I think I have are spotting the landing, as in I don't keep my head looking down the Mt.  Also on the last one I am pretty sure I was a little off axis when I landed(but I think this is because I had an uneven pop).  So what do you have for me?

Spot your landing BEFORE leaving the ground. This will set up your required pop, torque, axis, everything. (You should never leave the ground before spotting your landing, anyway.) To further gain your air-presence (aka air-balance) spot your take-off when in the air... or make it a point to look your buddy in the eye. Essentially, learn to look around... And- go bigger. If you're not comfortable launching 20+ feet in distance, your ability may be too premature. Sticking a landing you never saw because you were spinning like a figure skater is essentially luck. 

If you are still off axis... try holding your arms out while rotating. Aerialists use their arms much more than you notice... or think they would. 

There is no magic in rotations or inverts. Pros always know where they are... and the movement is actually very slow and subtle. I cringe when seeing younger kids winding-up like a top. "You're Doing It Wrong!"

^^^^^^^ good stuff. I guess the reason the 180's are easier is because I can spot the landing from start to finish.  once I loose site of the direction I am going I feel a bit disorianted and like you said it would probably be luck if I landed it

The biggest part of your problem is " I am from Texas and only get to get to the hill a few times a year. " - most everyone has given good advice so far - but the only way you can get a trick like this dialed is to do it all the time.  Give your self props for doing 180's and switch 180's only getting out a few times a year and get more time on the hill...