In my life, Ive been privileged to make turns with some pretty decent skiers.
Its something Ive run into over and over, in different contexts throughout my life.
By definition, skill is something you work at, something you build.
Skill is acquired through experience.
Talent on the other hand is what you already have, not something you build.
Its an innate aptitude or ability.
Some people are inherently more coordinated than others, more athletic.
They can just move faster, jump higher, respond more accurately.
The same applies to skiing.
I know, because I ran into a lot of things growing up.
I am not a talented skier.
It took me longer than it should have to figure out how to turn, how to get air.
I was the same way in basketball and lacrosse.
And over time Ive made peace with that.
A while ago a buddy came to visit and ski with me.
Then I went and skied every day I could.
I got myself to a place where I could confidently ski every run at my home hill.
I built skill, and I thought it showed.
Instead, he could mostly keep up with me on every run on my home hill.
I remembered it being the same way with him playing basketball.
Hes talented, naturally coordinated.
Im reminded of that divide, even more, when I watch good skiers pick up snowboarding as adults.
A few runs and theyre looking comfortable, taking on new terrain and linking turns effortlessly.
Not all skilled skiers can do the same.
Ive experienced the same thing playing pickup basketball with soccer players.
To make it as a professional in just about any sport I think you need a combination of both.
Being a natural only gets you so far, from there you have to put in the work.
I think its especially interesting to watch this play out in terms of style.
Whenever I watch someone ski with a very distinctive style, I wonder where they got it.
Do they just move effortlessly no matter what theyre doing?
Does watching them ski feel spontaneous or rehearsed?
How much of that divide is a product of their inherent talent vs. skill?
The only skier I can answer those questions for is myself.
Id rate myself at about 10% natural talent and 90% skill.
I had to rehearse hundreds of shifties before I got something that didnt look stupid.
And I always wonder: how do they see themselves?
How natural does skiing feel for them?
How easily does it come to them?
How much do they have to work for it?
How does skiing feel to you?
