realskiers

...  Taylorism.   For many, efficiency is hardly the highest goal of any recreational pursuit.

And of course, even Taylor would stipulate that efficiency cannot be defined as a goal within itself, but rather a process 

OK, I had to go to Google Taylorism. And I think I would agree. What comes to mind is the golfer whose goal is a lower score. They either buy new clubs, or the seek the process of golfing by improving the individual skill components. Or the bowler seeking to maximize his score. Skiing competency or efficiency is much less measurable short of the race course. But there are plenty of people who thoroughly enjoy going bowling, but with no desire to really improve. Golfers, I'm not so sure about.

I think most of us search for 'competency' in our recreational pursuits, and perhaps one day 'mastery', though the very definition of that word makes it an elusive goal.  Both competency and mastery are primarily subjective, and the imposition of 'efficiency' is perhaps a pleasing way to objectify our playtime for some, but in the end, it is still evaluated by individual goals, which, due to their very individualism, are subjective.

I agree. And there is another efficiency, and that is the efficiency of the instructional system. What resources are expended for the perceived internal satisfaction with your skiing (because there aren't many external measures).

Well written, Liam.  (even if some of it sounded like a Master's dissertation) 
I'm waiting for the next one.