Julia's Carv story
Votes:
I am originally from the UK and learnt to ski on a dry slope. It's a slope with hard diamond shaped brushes, wax blocks at the top of the run and sprinklers to give you speed.
I started when I was about 13 and did a few tester classes and lessons here and there during school holidays. I tried real snow for the first time in Scotland but unfortunately it was not a great season and I spent more time avoiding rocks than skiing.
My first real ski holiday was in Cortina, Italy and it was amazing!
I loved everything about it, especially when I discovered that falling over was so much softer on snow than the dry brushes!
Over the years I skied whenever I could. Sometimes a few days in Europe, other times a bit further afield, in Jackson, WY. I always seemed to be with very proficient skiers so I either would get a lesson or rely on them for some guidance. But I always felt like I was trying to catch up.
"I always felt like I was trying to catch up"
Fast forward a few years, I got married and moved to NY (Ross was born here) we did a few trips to Vermont and UpState NY, and we have been on a few bigger trips, Colorado and Montana. Each time we discussed lessons but decided against it as we didn't want to spend the vacation apart so my husband would guide and teach me so we could ski together.
I read about Carv when researching lesson options (again) and immediately loved the idea. I wouldn't need to spend the day on my own having lessons while the rest of my family were somewhere else and I could progress at my own pace.
"I wouldn't need to spend the day on my own having lessons while the rest of my family were somewhere else."
I was a little apprehensive that I wouldn't be good enough - a lot of the reviews I read were from very good skiers or instructors but I did come across a few that seemed more recreational skiers like myself. The other thing I was worried about was that because I ski with my family, it’s not always practical to have Carv running, and at other times I had to make unscheduled stops.
However, I honestly found I could just use it when I wanted. It still compiled the data and was a really great learning tool. So after a lot of thought and looking at the price of a private half day lesson at Park City (way more than the cost of Carv) I decided to take the plunge and go for it!
When I first got Carv plugged in and set up I felt slightly self conscious about skiing along with an instructor in my ears but soon realised that no one noticed me doing my drills. I could still keep up with my group and in fact, after a few runs doing the drills I honestly got comments about my improved form.
"In fact, after a few runs doing the drills I honestly got comments about my improved form."
Because the feedback was in real time I was able to feel exactly where/when I was going wrong and the satisfaction of getting the bings when I got the turn correct was very rewarding. I definitely have a side I favour for turns but it didn't take long to realise I could tweak my technique and fix the issue.
I began carving much better, I could feel the improvement.
My confidence has really improved, I can’t wait to get back on the slopes and work on my technique, I might even try a few of the challenges.
"My confidence has really improved, I can’t wait to get back on the slopes."
I really can't wait to go skiing and use Carv again. We now have a 6 year old and an (almost) 3 year old. Whilst skiing green runs with my 6 year old, I was able to really practice some of the drills. I didn't have to be on my own and neither did she.
When I ski with my husband we regularly ski blue runs together but this time around I found that I was also confident in trying a few black runs with him. I had tackled these in the past but not nearly as gracefully! I now feel confident to take on some of the harder terrain knowing I have some real-time feedback.
I'm excited to keep progressing and now my husband wants to get Carv as well and see how it can help him advance.
