realskiers

I think Gary's points are excellent.  In the end, each of us will have our own goals relative to skiing.  I like to have a big tool box, and strive not to be fit into a box.  Like most others, I'm at least a little bit concerned about what others think, but since I don't see myself ski except from my own vantage point, I don't worry about it too much.  Am I having fun?  Can I make it down everything I want to having as much fun as I want to and as fast as I want to?  As with many skiers, I work to improve my bump skiing.  In the great continuum of skiers, I don't think I'm that bad, but there is always room to be better.  I think that HH has some excellent ideas on that.  I'm not much of a zealot - don't have the money for a bunch of lessons and clinics, I just love to ski.  But, I can appreciate that others have different goals.  To each their own.

 As for my name - pretty much just came up with it at the last minute.  One could make a contraction from the words Berkshire and East (where I ski) that forms the first part of the name.  The second part of the name - well, I am a guy.  Or, one could think that I'm shamelessly co-opting the name of a popular band (if you are of the opinion that what they make is 'music'.  Or, it could be the name that was used for a particular turn that we worked on last winter - the 'beastie turn'.  At the risk of being razzed by the guys this winter - in high school I was once referred to as a 'bull on skis' - which is pretty much being called a beast.  I got that name from the way I would go uphills in XC races.  Pretty much hold your speed until you see black spots in front of your eyes, and hold that speed to the top.  I'm sure I killed brain cells in the process.  High School was a long time ago...  Brain cells grow back, right???  I'll let Liam comment on whether the term applies to my downhill skiing.

Liam - no need to apologize.  I enjoy the conversation.  Like you, I'm not a zealot but appreciate the passion that comes into such discussions.  I like to be open to any ways that improve the experience of skiing.  Of course, there are some things that you have to do differently if you are in the handles of a toboggan...