Shaky Legs

The lift crested the hill and the end came into view.

"Now I'm getting nervous."

"Why?"

"I don't know, I always get nervous before a run."


It's an interesting thing when and advanced/expert skier gets nervous on normal, in-bounds terrain. Part of it is adrenaline; even an easy run can get the blood pumping if you do it right.

"What, you think you've forgotten how to ski between the bottom and the top?"
You don't know what the conditions are going to be in any particular place on the mountain. Are there sharks waiting for me? Is there ice? Are my legs still ready for this? There are a lot of questions and the time on the lift lets you think about all those things, especially if it's an old two-seater (I'm looking at you Gad 2).

It's very easy to become unsure of yourself on the slope, and the first turn on a run really sets the tone. If you start off poorly, making a bad turn or falling, it's unlikely you'll salvage the run in good form. If you start of making hero turns or just comfortably straight-lining, you're on track to have on of the best runs of your life.

The only thing to do when the fear hits you is to shake it off, look down the slope and head into the unknown. That's where the fun is waiting; it's just about finding the sweet spot and laying into it. Ignore those shaking legs and ride.