EXPERT LEVEL If you are an expert skier, there are many challenging runs at the Red River Ski Area and the NASTAR race course is available for you to enjoy. If pushing yourself a little more and learning something new is hard for you, remember that it is always possible to learn. Try turning, using your outside edges. Lift the inside/uphill ski at the beginning of the turn and ride the outside edge through the full turn. AUTOMATIC SKILL DEVELOPMENT For some of us, learning a new skill doesn't come on the first try. Having a new skill become "instinctive" takes practice. If we had to think of every movement involved in picking up a glass of water, for instance, we would find getting a drink to be mind boggling. When first learning to ski, we have to twist our feet while standing and gliding. Thinking of where we want to go and stopping can be an adventure. Until something becomes automatic for us, the mind gets bogged down. This is when it is most important that we relax and let the mind "unclutter." Taking new skills one at a time and allowing things to become automatic by relaxing and letting your mind become unafraid is the easiest way to learn. FEAR: DEAL WITH IT Fear: It can be a friend or foe depending on how you deal with it. Most of us ski to enjoy the slight sensations of fear derived from the sport. Adrenaline is nice. Performance actually improves from a quicker pulse and the excited feeling that comes from slight fear. When fear becomes more extreme, however, it can be paralyzing. Confusion, nausea and disorientation can hinder any task you're trying to perform. The first step to overcoming fear is to recognize it and realize the true situation you're in, then correct it. What are you afraid of? Looking clumsy? Not reaching goals? Not "fitting in" to the group? Getting hurt? Fear comes from the unknown. Knowledge will overcome most of this, but we must keep perception of a task in focus. Take newly acquired skills one step at a time and always be willing to learn from others. Be prepared to stay warm, comfortable and dry. Respect your surroundings and know your limits. If you let extreme fear take over your mind, it can let the situation grow to the point of paralysis and rational thought becomes impossible. Don't let fear grow into panic. Don' think of what can happen. Instead, think or what you want to happen and let life follow your thoughts. Natural physical reactions to extreme fear usually include stiffening up and backing away. These two things will prevent you from functioning, as well as preventing you from learning. If you're "over your head," take your skis off and enjoy a walk in the mountains, or have someone call ski patrol to give you a ride down the mountain on a snowmobile. Accept your limits and don't be embarrassed. The important thing to remember is to just get out there and enjoy yourself with family and friends. Have fun.