IMAGE: ROSS WOODHALL
All freeriders have the same dream. At the very top of a mountain, we scope out a line of descent among jagged ridges and powder fields. Calculating the game plan for those steeper pitches, we work out where to stop and start again safely, before letting rip, executing it all with confidence and style. The perfectly planned and executed descent is what we all aspire to but in reality, skiing that dreamy line never seems to be that predictable. Shark’s teeth rocks bite beneath the snow; the steeps get steeper the closer you get, and the powder heavier than it looked. Prone to self-criticism, I lambast myself
for not skiing better, stronger, closer to the fall line. I’m annoyed with myself that with all that fresh, fluffy powder I seem unable to truly let the handbrake off despite decades of experience skiing around the world. And so it is that I find myself at the top of Mount Titlis — at 10,627 feet, it’s the highest peak in the ‘steep and deep’ Swiss resort of Engelberg — standing alongside four legends of the freeride world: Marcus Caston, Dan and Johnny Egan, and former US Olympic coach Gary Miller. Between them, these skiing greats have decades of experience both on the ground and teaching and mentoring others, passing on their skills and passion to wannabes like me. I’m here, having joined Miller’s Steep and
Deep camp, a skills course with a refreshing perspective organised by Alpin Luxe, the ski company he founded to give skiers the chance to learn from the best in some of world’s most iconic locations. We begin with a warm-up, skiing pistes hopping off onto the short, fun pitches just beyond the sides. “Look around you,” says Dan. “Take in the majesty of where we are!” It’s high praise from a man who has skied his way around the globe and is known as the ‘Skiing Psychologist’. As we ride, Dan shares some of his back story. After appearing in 13 ski films by legendary freeride Warren Miller — and being named one of the most influential skiers of our time by US ski magazine Powder in 2001 — Dan decided
to spend his time skiing around the world helping others see the mountains in a different light and improve their skills. “I help skiers shift their thinking from
self-judgement to observe their day, the conditions and the moment surrounding them instead,” he explains. “This not only changes how they see the mountains, but it shifts the paradigm of their view of themselves in the world. They become less fearful and move into performance and athleticism.” It sounds so simple but what a difference
his words make. Like so many others, I don’t respond well to intense coaching — my tendency to overthink hinders improvement when my technique is simply pulled apart. But this approach is different, and it works equally well for different abilities. This week’s camp is hosting 10 skiers, ranging from good, strong freeriders capable of tackling most situations to a high-level intermediate skier taking her first turns off-piste. We all lap up Dan and Gary’s words, fascinated to find out that during Gary’s Olympic and World Cup coaching career some 80% of the improvement he saw in alpine athletes was in their mental attitude, and just 20% physical. Dan concurs: “I ask every person I teach to explain why they ski, and then help them adapt their style and skill to that strength — whether they want to keep up with the kids, or not fall over in powder.” I mention, almost in passing, that I struggle
to get my mind and weight forward in variable conditions, knowing full well that successful skiing off-piste is about micro-adjustments and constantly battling to ski with confidence. Unless you’re forward, it’s all too easy to be thrown back on the tails of your ski, lose control and risk injury. Marcus, a pro skier from Salt Lake City who has also appeared in the last eight Warren Miller films, leads the way down a steep pitch, moving effortlessly, like he’s skiing through soft butter. As we watch, Dan explains that Marcus is working hard over every lump, bump and turn, making as many adjustments as I might — even if he made it look easy.
WINTER SPORTS 2022/23 45
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