If I Can Do It
A Tale So Strange It Has To Be True
by Michael Patmas

The Tulips are popping up and everywhere you look, the signs of spring are unmistakable. For many of us, spring means exams and all that goes along with them. Some of us will savor the exhilaration of success, others will taste disappointment. I know both feelings well. You see, I have had the distinction of failing the level 3 skiing module three times, but not in 2003. At the age of 51, with infirmities aplenty, I passed. What follows is one instructor’s bizarre path to level 3 alpine certification. Every bit of it is true. I couldn’t make up so story a strange. But I offer this to my ski teaching colleagues as encouragement. For those of you who were not successful this season, my tale should give you hope. But beyond simple wishful thinking, I have also included some tips that you may not have heard or read before. I will share some insights and what worked for me. After all, not many folks have been in as many level 3 skiing exams as I have.

What makes my story so strange? Well, consider that I never heard the click of boots into bindings until the age of 22. My first day on skis was on my birthday. Goaded by friends into trying it, I put my faith in their hands. Upon disembarking from the gondola at Squaw Valley, they abandoned me, laughing. It took me nearly all afternoon to get down. I fell 35 times as I tried to figure out for myself how to ski. I can still remember the epithets from those trying to avoid my out-of-control, flailing vectors. But there was something exciting about making it down to the base area. My “friends” were cheering for me and I rather enjoyed myself despite having snow in some pretty strange places.

My next exposure came a year later when I tried night skiing at Slide Mountain. A “Washoe Zephyr” was blowing in and only the rope tow was operating. Without experience, the predicable occurred. I fell halfway up and rather than letting go, hung on for the ride. Upon my arrival at the bottom, the operator was shutting down the lift to the protest of an angry mob. It seemed some “fool” had been dragged up on the rope and as a precaution, they were closing the lift. One run, so much for that season.

For the next few years, I skied a day or two without the benefit of lessons. Finally, at the age of 26, in my first year of medical school, I needed a mid-week break from studies and we had one afternoon a week free. Introduction to Alpine Skiing 101 with a Dr. George Twardokens caught my eye. Now, at that time, I had no idea I was about to ski 13 times with a legend. That season was the start of my quest to become a good skier.

For the next fifteen years or so, I traveled the skiing doctor circuit, attending medical conferences at nearly every major American ski resort. I learned the hard way not to adjust your own bindings, but spiral fractures of the fibula heal quickly. Eventually, I had the means to take lessons and I did so everywhere. But, I had yet to experience powder skiing. I was like a traveling high pressure system. It seemed everywhere I went I was in between storms. I wanted to ski powder and eventually I had to go where all hounds end up, to Snowbird. There, one instructor so inspired me, that she changed my life. The next season, at the age of 40, I became an instructor myself. Level one came quite easily. Level two followed a few years later. I was really well prepared and passed strongly. A few years later, Level 3 became my goal, but a torn anterior cruciate ligament broke my knee and my heart. A long rehabilitation, from reconstructive surgery followed. Eventually, at 49 years of age, I took level 3. I passed the teaching module the first time, but failed the skiing module badly. I only passed one task. Disappointed but undaunted, I tried again and again, only to fail again and again. I took some solace in the fact that I was making progress each time. My friends and coaches told me not to give up. After all, I was halfway there. I couldn’t spend the rest of my life as a level “two and a half”.

2003 was going to be my best season ever. I had it all planned. 50 days on skis, plenty of clinics and enough time to train. I was not going to fail this time. Then it happened. One January 20th, in a freak fall, I felt it tear again. I felt my season and my plans evaporate before my eyes. The MRI was conclusive; I had torn my ACL graft. But there was something different about it this time. It didn’t hurt as much and there was no swelling. The doctor told me to take a few weeks off, dig out my trusty old brace and cautiously see what it feels like. To my surprise, I felt alright. My knee felt weak and a little unstable but my season wasn’t over. As the weeks went by, it began to feel even better. In March I attended our divisional academy thinking that would be the salvaging highlight of my season. After three days, I had a crazy idea. Maybe, somehow I could still ski well enough to take the exam? If I failed again, I could always have surgery after.

Against all odds, I went for it. April 19, 2003 was a beautiful day, sunny and warm. I skied pretty well I thought, but was prepared for the inevitable FQ (“failed to qualify”). Needless to say, when they handed me the pin, it was all I could do not to cry.

But sharing my story isn’t just about being encouraging. I also have some tips that might help you out. Many fine articles have been written about exam preparation in this newsletter and you should avail yourselves of them. But here are some insights from someone who has taken more level 3 exams than most.

The Teaching Module

I was successful the first time out and here’s what helped me. Think COD. There’s nothing fishy about it. I’m talking about Content, Organization and Delivery. Content means basing your teaching segment on the visual cues to efficient and inefficient movements. Using a cause and effect approach, analyze the person’s fundamental movement patterns in the domains of balance, edging, rotary, pressure and directional movement of center of mass. Select one movement to work on and use a coherent progression that begins with a more global intervention and becomes refined as the progression is developed. Make sure you understand and communicate using the terms and concepts of the efficient and inefficient visual cues.

Next is Organization. I like to break my teaching into segments. Try dividing your lesson into 3 or 4 parts. Introduce the lesson at the top of the run, set the demo and ski it a quarter to a third of the way down. Provide feedback, add to the progression, set the demo and ski it another quarter or third of the way down. Give some more feedback and then blend the progression into actual skiing. Take all the way to the chair. Finally, end the segment by giving positive feedback, summarizing and checking for understanding. Examiners like a well organized lesson with a coherent structure that culminates in real skiing.

Lastly, consider Delivery. How you present the information may be as critical as what you present. Who wants to take a lesson from someone who is dull, uncertain apologetic? In this setting, think of yourself as a performer. You are on stage and this is your show. Hey, it’s not a funeral! Have some fun. Be lively, energetic and upbeat. Have a sense of humor! Remember names and use them. Don’t forget to end the teaching segment with a bang because final impressions count! Remember to “stick the landing”

The Skiing Module

Now here’s where I must be an expert by now. I realize now there was huge value in having to take this exam four times. I now have a pretty good “feel” for how these exams are done and what the examiners are looking for. Obviously, you’ve got to be able to ski at the level 3 standards. That is well described elsewhere in The Professional Skier and Divisional materials. My insights are a little different. I found myself thinking Mind, Body and Soul. First, considers the mental aspects. Remember that the level 3 exam is a lot like running a marathon. It will play games with your head. Leading up to the exam, you will experience a range of emotions running from excitement to dread. At times you’ll feel confident, at others like a lemming. Find someone you can share these feelings with. Someone you can trust who will support you emotionally. On exam day, you’ll likely have ups and downs. Stay on task. Focus on the examiners and ski exactly like they do. Be confident, but not cocky. Support one another but avoid making judgments about what will pass and what won’t. Believe me, you never know. I’ve observed that they seem to save the toughest tasks for the afternoon. It’s like the 18 mile mark in a marathon. Here’s where you can breakdown mentally. So come out after lunch fired up. Do whatever you have to do to psych yourself up for the afternoon. Come out smokin’ and determined to ski aggressively and finish the day skiing strongly.

Next, is the physical component. Level 3 is physically very demanding. You need to be in top physical condition, so take some time to really train. Not just for the tasks, but for strength, flexibility and endurance. You can never be too fit, too strong or too rich. If you are gasping for breath, don’t make it obvious! Take a tip from marathon runners. Make sure you stay hydrated and nourished. Nutritionally sound snacks like a high protein power bar can make a big difference in endurance in an otherwise long and demanding day during which you will definitely challenge your body.

Finally, consider the soul. There is something glorious about skiing that is uplifting. Sharing this incredible sport with your friends, family and students is one of life’s great joys. Be yourself and let your love of skiing, teaching, people and nature show. Imagine doing these exams year after year. It must get pretty routine for the examiners. They see all kinds of strange behavior. People can get a little weird. If you end up on the chair with an examiner, ask questions if you have them. But, try to relax and have a bit of conversation having nothing to do with the exam. Try to have some fun. It will make their day a little easier too!

Parting Shots

Some folks pass their first time. If you do, that’s great. But some don’t. If you have the opportunity to take the exam more than once, realize that in a way, you are very lucky. You’re getting multiple chances to see how exams are done and you’ll be improving your chances of success next time. In the end, it is the ride not the destination that matters most. Above all, don’t get discouraged. If I can do it, so can you..