the fall + recovery
Fear of falling and getting hit.
Why is it that the most important factor for the user in learning to ski or ride is so misunderstood? It is not that it is misunderstood per se but rather because the most important factor is not even acknowledged in any way whatsoever by the industry.
To them, their goal is to get the user to a minimal state of usability in order to fulfill their obligation at the end of a financial contract to the student.
This means cultivating a combination of prescribed physical and mental attainments that allow the user to “exhibit” what the industry defines as “You can now ski/ride!”.
That means that they have delivered on their promise to the user. Their hope is to hook the u$er into more lessons through the sense of vulnerability and dread that is now very real to them.
Fear of the potential calamity that snowsports are reputed for are the most important factor for a newcomer. Slopefriend knows this well and shines a light on this topic for the user in the most meaningful way. The very first step in learning with Slopefriend is the thing that the mainstream avoids.
We like to get it out of the way right away and make it fun. In any sport, tumbling skills are essential. Ask any soccer/futbol mom or dad. However, in comparison, most other sports do not have the element of speed and hazards that represent a day at the slopes.
A lot can happen. If you are not prepared - you risk injuring yourself and others. It is irresponsible to not be prepared to keep yourself and others safe.
The Fall & Recovery 8 has been crafted through observation and many crash tests by our founder. The results of extensive notes, colorful bruises and countless handfuls of snow down the pants provide a way for you to make the responsibility of being safe - fun. 😜
The Fall & Recovery 8 are templates or archetypes for you to use as a way to control the context of your narrative during your time on the slopes.
Whether you are active or inactive, subtle or poignant, you get to decide your outcome when you apply these positions to your literal time ON the slopes.
Feel free to play the audio and experience the templates as intended…
1.
The Huckleberry Scoot
This is perfect for those times when your backside wants to stay seated on the snow, but - you want to have a good look around and incorporate some mobility. This is the position you want to go with. The scoot will be your huckleberry and the huckleberry will be your scoot.
2. The Lounge Expert
Go ahead. It’s okay to indulge yourself and kick back for a minute (or longer). Laying out on the snow beach never felt so right. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen. And don’t worry about answering calls from folks on the chairlift asking if you are okay. As “The Lounge Expert”, it is implied that everything is all good with you.
3. The Sizzler
Sometimes in recovery mode you will need a special key to maneuver yourself out of a tricky spot. You might be tangled or oriented to the slope in a way that is definitely not of benefit to you. This is the moment for “The Sizzler”. Just like 🥓shriveling and wrapping under the intensity of heat - so too will you be when you invoke this position and get out of the frying pan.
4. The Diva
Things appear differently when you are on the snow in recovery mode. One thing that may actually appear out of the ordinary from this point of view is how striking you are in this pose. Take a moment to feel good as you look good on the snow. There are many variations to explore as “The Diva”. Light, perspective, body positions, and capturing your good side as you show the world that you’ve got this.
5. The Hipster Donut
It is neither eclair nor cruller. It’s “The Hipster Donut” and it is all about the hip. Just pivot around your hip bone embedded in the snow and use your elbow to crank your way around while using your skis to assist. Around and around you go in the powder - in your donut - isn’t that ironic enough for you?
In the Operations step in the S.L.O.P.E Script - The Hipster Donut is known as “Round The Clock”.
6. The Car Hood
Everyone loves a well executed action sequence in film. When you practice a simple rolling motion in a cradled position and time sync your experiential learning into action - you get what is known as the “The Car Hood” stunt. Just like your favorite show, you will keep coming back to this one as it always delivers the goods: safety, minimalism, and most of all, it conveys to others that you are clearly on top of it.
In the Operations step of the S.L.O.P.E. script - The Car Hood is known as “Rollover in Bed”.
7. The Lucky Luchador
“Let’s get ready to recover!” crowed the announcer as “The Lucky Luchador took flight. The act of Falling and Recovering on the slopes has moments of drama and surprise. When you are caught off guard and suddenly sent into fast fall mode, - more specifically in this instance - when it is a headlong dive, this is the time to invoke the Luchador. All of your training in Slopefriend's 8 positions will prepare you for anything and it is lucky #7 that may count the most in that one-off occasion.
That’s why you will always be lucky when you don the mask of the Luchador.
8. The Executive*
What do leaders in industry do when they have a problem that they cannot solve on their own? They call on someone who can help and they look to their “The Rolodex”. Sometimes solutions require something that other people are not expecting from you. That is how you stay relevant. Learning the steps for this basic tumbling maneuver will repay you over and over with high dividends. And you will often make highlight reel quality presentations with just a simple roll over. The board members will approve this action.
*aka ->The Rolodex
Because falling is inevitable. How you recover says a lot about who you are. And when you knock out fear of failing right away, the rest takes care of itself. You are free to be you on the slopes.
