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Define EXPERT skier

post #1 of 91
11/22/09 at 12:41pm
Thread Starter 
In you mind, what constitutes an expert skier?

I would say I am firmly in the "advanced" group, but how do you know when you have arrived at the expert level?

Is it one of those, "if you have to ask, you are not an expert" things; or is it more definable than that?

What do you guys say?
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post #2 of 91
11/22/09 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by champagneforbreakfast View Post

In you mind, what constitutes an expert skier?

 


The ability to ski it all with a smile on your face.  Bottomless pow, glare ice, bumbs, crud, chowder, slush, whatever... 

I am not an expert.
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post #3 of 91
11/22/09 at 12:54pm
Two Words: Not Me

Outside of that, I don't know, really.

An expert, by defintion, is someone in the upper echelon of an activity, in terms of skill, experience, and expertise.
 
Regarindg skiing, my stab at it would be, someone who could ski with effiiciency of movement on any terrain at any time and any under most any condition? That would eliminate just about anyone but the top tier.
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post #4 of 91
11/22/09 at 1:14pm
My response combines the two previous.  An expert skier can ski any terrain in any condition at any speed and have fun doing it.

It's the conditions one that's my biggest downfall.

I asked this question a few years ago on a different board and this was the best answer I got.  I think it's a good question because as resort skiers we see signs all the time designating trails as 'expert only'.  At the places I ski, I've been comfortable on these trails for a long time but I'm not close to considering myself an expert skier.
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post #5 of 91
11/22/09 at 1:20pm
Sweet, we have never had this subject discussed at length before. I mean it sure would be nifty, if someone had already started a thread, and if there was only some means of finding the thread on the topic, then you could just add to the existing thread instead of starting a new one.
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post #6 of 91
11/22/09 at 1:37pm
if you can ski in areas where it says "experts only" and you feel like you belong there, then you are an expert.
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post #7 of 91
11/22/09 at 1:59pm
From the first thread VA underlined.  I'll add that in terms of ability, an expert skier can ski any open marked run without fear, worry, or much risk of falling or needing to stop or almost stop and shop for turns.  Some experts look better than others, but none of them are going to look like a cow on ice.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghost View Post

Enough with the false modesty allready!

An expert skier knows what to do with a pair of skis and how to do it.
They are the people the "expert" boots and skis are designed for.
They are not supermen. They are not the 1 percenters. They are not the WC athletes. Some are too old to perform, but they know how, if only they could borrow your body for a few hours (and how many wouldn't love to jump at the chance).

Except on skiing forums, where for fear of being put on the spot or having their illusions shattered, most of the experts will claim to be advanced, and the term "expert" takes on another meaning, perhaps more akin to Grand Master or Devine Skier.
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post #8 of 91
11/22/09 at 2:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghost View Post

From the first thread VA underlined.  I'll add that in terms of ability, an expert skier can ski any open marked run without fear, worry, or much risk of falling or needing to stop or almost stop and shop for turns.  Some experts look better than others, but none of them are going to look like a cow on ice.
 


Yours is pretty good.  I like the last sentence in your quote from a previous thread.  I think there is a lot of truth to that.
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post #9 of 91
11/22/09 at 2:09pm
somebody who would never waste any time wondering if they're an expert....
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post #10 of 91
11/22/09 at 2:10pm
A guy with a European accent.
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post #11 of 91
11/22/09 at 2:15pm
Sounds like they're from Wyoming.
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post #12 of 91
11/22/09 at 3:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by volantaddict View Post

Sweet, we have never had this subject discussed at length before. I mean it sure would be nifty, if someone had already started a thread, and if there was only some means of finding the thread on the topic, then you could just add to the existing thread instead of starting a new one.

I think a helmet thread to discuss the pros & cons of skier safety would be a great idea.
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post #13 of 91
11/22/09 at 4:33pm
Well according to the wacky criteria usually expoused around here: He/she skis really slow on very short skis and is usually seen sking on skis that are the exact wrong choice for conditions(example - SL race skis for big turns in deep powder). They also have a huge stick up thier asses at all times and have never experienced the sensation of fun. Also - you're not a true expert unless all the people riding the chairlift that you're making 10 billion turns under remark to each other about what a technically flawless Harbl you are. That's when you get your "EXPERT" pin. If you haven't gotten the pin yet, then you obviously still suck.

Also - I would prefer that Rasputin be a dick here. It's funnier that way.
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post #14 of 91
11/22/09 at 4:53pm
It's an aspiration not a destination    cause we all want to ski better


and the one from the dark side has been a dick here over 6,000 times, that's a lot of funny stuff.
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post #15 of 91
11/22/09 at 5:43pm
on this board...

Bob Peters, Harkin Banks, Tyrone Shoelaces, Skiingman, 4ster, Alfonse, Phil Puglise, Alpinista, Epic, Whiteroom,  Uncle Louis, Weems, Helvaskier are all experts that I have skied with(well except tyrone) from this board but they all cover such a wide range of skill and terrain types that it just shows how broad an expert designation can be.
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post #16 of 91
11/22/09 at 6:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by champagneforbreakfast View Post

In you mind, what constitutes an expert skier?

I would say I am firmly in the "advanced" group, but how do you know when you have arrived at the expert level?

Is it one of those, "if you have to ask, you are not an expert" things; or is it more definable than that?

What do you guys say?
Right, if you're asking than...

It's not really a designation that can anyone can objectively place upon themselves without seeming like a douche-bag.  It's more something that comes from how your peers and others on the mountain perceive and have respect  for your abilities. 

Next question, if someone was once considered an expert and got injured so as to never ski again,or at least not the way they used to be able to...  would they still be an expert?  I'd say their peers would still say yes.

A good place to start finding out what you're really made of (or not) this season would be at an ESA event.
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post #17 of 91
11/22/09 at 7:34pm
If you are worrying about it, you are definitely not one.
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post #18 of 91
11/22/09 at 7:41pm
 It depends on the context -- who's asking and why.
The EpicSki consensus (at least to the limited extent there can be such a thing) has been very high end.  You pretty much have to be perfect to be an expert.  I'm not an "expert" or "level 9" (to bring up another hobbyhorse) by the usual standards around here.

On the other hand, if I was bombing along with BumpFreaq and we came to one of those "experts only" signs and he asked if we should ski the run, the answer would be "hell yes."

When I'm chatting at work with the guys talking about going up to Loon or Waterville Valley, I am definitely an expert.
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post #19 of 91
11/22/09 at 7:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdf View Post

On the other hand, if I was bombing along with BumpFreaq and we came to one of those "experts only" signs and he asked if we should ski the run, the answer would be "hell yes."
 


I would say most expert skiers do not even notice the various trail designation signs placed around the mountain. They see something they want to ski and ski it.
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post #20 of 91
11/22/09 at 7:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CR0SS View Post





I would say most expert skiers do not even notice the various trail designation signs placed around the mountain. They see something they want to ski and ski it.

 
Well, it was a hypothetical question.  I've skied with BF and he wouldn't actually ask or need to ask -- but that is not the point I was trying to make.


 
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post #21 of 91
11/22/09 at 7:59pm
The expert is the person skiing on the run you want to ski but don't. 
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post #22 of 91
11/22/09 at 7:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CR0SS View Post





I would say most expert skiers do not even notice the various trail designation signs placed around the mountain. They see something they want to ski and ski it.
 
I would just like to point out to you experts that even though you haven't paid any attention to the signs for decades, it is quite possible that your daughter will notice those expert signs or even black diamond signs and be quite upset at you for not noticing them.  Who knew

Skiers may discover a long unnoticed need to qualify themselves as an expert when they go shopping for skis or ski lessons.
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post #23 of 91
11/22/09 at 8:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghost View Post



I would just like to point out to you experts that even though you haven't paid any attention to the signs for decades, it is quite possible that your daughter will notice those expert signs or even black diamond signs and be quite upset at you for not noticing them.  Who knew

Very true.
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post #24 of 91
11/22/09 at 8:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghost View Post


Skiers may discover a long unnoticed need to qualify themselves as an expert when they go shopping for skis or ski lessons.
 

I'm still on the fence about ESA Stowe.  I took a look at the registration form and guess what one of the questions is?  Yep, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced or Expert?  
Usually I'd say "expert" but do I grade on the epicski curve and say "advanced?"
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post #25 of 91
11/22/09 at 8:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdf View Post




I'm still on the fence about ESA Stowe.  I took a look at the registration form and guess what one of the questions is?  Yep, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced or Expert?  
Usually I'd say "expert" but do I grade on the epicski curve and say "advanced?"

nah its ESA you say expert.

Can you link turns on Goat? paradise? double blacks at snowbird?

if you can your an expert......
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post #26 of 91
11/22/09 at 8:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdf View Post




I'm still on the fence about ESA Stowe.  I took a look at the registration form and guess what one of the questions is?  Yep, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced or Expert?  
Usually I'd say "expert" but do I grade on the epicski curve and say "advanced?"
That's a tough one.  I would say consider the consequences of a wrong choice.  If you say expert, but you're really a hack, but you can ski down anything they can throw at you just as fast as anyone else without falling on your face, there's no problem, other than perhaps not learning as much and being embarrassed when you get sent down to the advanced group.

If your going to make people in the expert group wait and there's terrain there that has you fearful, then choose advanced.

Don't sweat it too much; you can probably change it later.
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post #27 of 91
11/22/09 at 8:52pm
I became an expert skier at the age of 3 and last season I was elected the Supreme International Skier of Unfathomable Talent and Good Looks. 
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post #28 of 91
11/22/09 at 9:11pm
Jimmy Heuga is definitely an expert.

Quote:
Originally Posted by crgildart View Post



 
.........
Next question, if someone was once considered an expert and got injured so as to never ski again,or at least not the way they used to be able to...  would they still be an expert?  I'd say their peers would still say yes.



 
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post #29 of 91
11/23/09 at 4:23am
God forbid that there should ever be a redundant discussion on the internet.
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post #30 of 91
11/23/09 at 4:38am
An expert skier is someone who doesn't tell everyone they are one.
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