On my path to becoming a world champion skier I received a lot of help from others. First from my uncle who skillfully guided me past the usual bad habits that I could see other skiers weren't getting past.

I first skied at age 14. By the time I was 20 I had won my first world championship. I attribute my rapid success to the fact that I seldom received bad advice. And by the time that I had outgrown the wise tutelage of my Uncle I knew enough to recognize and avoid bad advice.

I had no idea how much bad advice gets spread around until I started teaching professionally. Now, decades later, I know how unworkable it is to seek advice from the average skier because nearly everyone wants to help even when their help is misguided.

There are only about 3 dozen concepts that are important to know about skiing. However there are about as many that are commonly believed and/or used that are more of a hindrance than a help. The worst example of this would be; "bending over feels safer than standing tall."

So here's a warning; Just because someone can ski better than you, doesn't ean that he/she knows enough about the sport to give you advice that will help you.

If you're a skier and you are not getting better every day on the mountain you have accepted bad advice, have bad habits or both. Here's my best advice; Choose your coaches like your happiness depends on it.

Most people quit this extreme sport because it scares them or their not having enough fun to justify the expense and effort of it. However this is the most exhilarating and beautiful sport in the world if you are a competent skier.

Bob Salerno,
2X world champion