slopefriend
->rebooting the mtn experience
WITH THE SLOPEFRIEND METHOD; LEARNING WAS FUN, INTUITIVE, AND NATURAL. I COULD SEE THE RESULTS IMMEDIATELY AND BY THE MIDDLE OF THE FIRST DAY - NEVER MIND BY THE END OF THE DAY - I LITERALLY SURPRISED MYSELF! WHICH; I HAVE DONE VERY FEW TIMES IN MY LIFE.
-> Carlyn Cowen - Chinese American Planning Council - NYC
Using specialized + simplified commands for learning -> the beginner can immediately assimilate the basics with the Slopefriend method.
why?
After many years of living and working in New York City as a single dad who continually shared the love of the mountain with my child; I began to see the snow sports industry from an entirely different perspective.
I have always held fast to a personal intention to apply my skills in being a world class freestyle skier with my experience in fine art and design and the service industry. My newfound appreciation for the difficulties inherent in obtaining access to the joys of the mountain led me to explore some novel solutions to these challenges.
Slopefriend came into being by asking the right questions at the right time. By taking a deep dive into an examination of the overall state of the snow sports industry a few years ago - I was able to apply a meaningful line of questions. This in turn gave me the literal and figurative tools to use as I faced numerous risks in prototyping the Slopefriend System over the course of three seasons.
What began as an open minded inquiry into the built-in problems of the snow sports industry became an altogether different approach to learning on the slopes. The results of my efforts culminated in a veritable re-design of the skiing experience that works congruently with the current practices and culture of the industry.
problem! 😡
huh???😳
Since WWII; teaching on the slopes has always been conveyed from the point of view of the instructor - typically looking uphill and talking (jargon) at the student. Subsequently; all command calls are relayed within this flawed mirror-image construct that interferes with any potential real-time reaction from the student.
SOLUTION! 😁
The SlopeNav Chart is the foundation and one of several secret sauces of the Slopefriend System. It uses Cognitive Mapping which enables the user to safely adapt and effectively respond to new and ever-shifting experiential data with confidence. Basically they are stage directions that are universal to this activity. This is something that was severely lacking in teaching & learning to ski/ride the mountain slopes. It is now available!
better learning by design:
🎮 REBOOT & START UP AGAIN 🎮
The main inspiration for the system underlying Slopefriend derives from concepts that directly apply to video game learning.
Of chief importance in the redesign process was utilizing the First Person Shooter perspective made popular in games like Doom. The B/A buttons on the NES Nintendo Gamepad were also a major influential factor in the design of the Slopefriend System.
This is MTN 2.0
lodge icon=downhill=[dnhl]
Just like magnetic north on a compass - this eight point coordinate system is relative to the lodge [dnhl] position. It is therefore applicable to teacher and student no matter which direction either party is facing. True orientation is available at all times with these “stage directions” for the slopes.
Another advantageous innovation within the Slopefriend System is the use of the B/A Button Stickers placed on the tips of the skis of the user and teacher.
These adhesive learning tools (available in the kit) help create a space for a coherent learning experience where the user has an option for learning on their own (Solo) or by Peer 2 Peer methods. The self referential feedback available to the user by way of the simple presence of the B/A stickers opens up a whole new way to experience the slopes.
safety glide B/A -> with 8-point SlopeNav coordinate system overlay
What the user obtains in practical experience in $ki $chool$ is of very little value when they are faced with the reality of the composition of most slope environments.
Please read this next run-on statement very carefully and try to take it to ❤️:
Using the snow plow posture as a means of descent on a steeper pitched trail while oncoming traffic speeds by outside of peripheral is cause for a high degree of inner panic for the beginner + it also frames your status as lowly.
When people panic -> they hesitate.
When they hesitate or feel weak - accidents happen. This is where the ski industry truly loses the vast majority of retention of new users.
This is called RESISTANCE and when used on the mountain as your default -> it has a way of carrying over into your normal daily life off the slopes.
😤
The mainstream approach of “Edge Drive” is predicated upon the notion that the user must keep pressure on their edges at all times and maintain a constant focus towards the downhill direction.
The rigors of constantly staying on edge during the learning process with Snow Plow places a severe drain on muscles and ligature. Many accidents and injuries occur due to the lack of strength in reserve when a beginner takes to the trails not designated as learning zones.
A complete re-vision of the MTN experience for a better mountain sports industry. 20 years of competitive excellence and 20 years of research and development in the making. Now is the time to upgrade. Be a part of the community and get first tracks in a new MTN reality.
Here are some of the components of the Slopefriend system that we will begin rolling out for Winter 24/25…
Elevated Safety Standards
Premium Classes
Personal Coaching
Lost Art Forum
Rhythmic Flow on Snow
On/Off Slope Fitness
Peer 2 Peer + Solo Avenues
‘Online Course Certification
Membership Benefits
Kits + Products
