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"On Harald Harb" by Craig
McNeil 3/14/00
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| I recently had the opportunity to catch
up with
Harald Harb at his home in Dumont, Colorado. Harb is the
inventor of the Primary Movements Teaching System (PMTS)
and the man who has single-handedly changed the face of
ski instruction, as we know it, for the better. Harald
Harb was born in Austria and grew up in the Laurentian
Mountains north of Montreal. His father was the mountain
manager and ski school director of a small ski area outside
of Montreal. Young Harb learned the ski business from
the ground up at a very early age. His duties included
building lifts, making snow, selling tickets and teaching
skiing. Harb went on to become successful World Cup ski
racer, coach and P.S.I.A. (Professional Ski Instructors
of America) demo team member. Harb is currently the President
of Harb Ski Systems and author of the book "Anyone Can
Ski Like An Expert". He is also the technical editor for
Skiing Magazine. |
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I
was catching up with Harb where he just returned from
the International Congress of Skiing and Science in St.
Christoph, Austria. He told me that the Primary Movements
Teaching System is taking the ski world, literally by
storm. "The International Congress of Skiing and Science
is one of the most prestigious organizations in the world
when it comes to science and skiing. We were invited to
introduce PMTS to the world as a new tried and proven
method of instruction. The PMTS is the only ski teaching
method that has been invited and stood up to the scrutiny
of this prestigious organization. "Most ski instructors
don't understand the science of skiing. Says Harb. "Most
think (of PMTS) as the same stuff they've always known
using different words, but it's clear to anyone who understands
movement and bio-mechanics that this system is the opposite
of traditional ski teaching systems." The results speak
for themselves as skiers learn faster, and more easily
with results that are easily seen and recognized. Harb
says, "The public needs to view ski instruction is a different
way. Skiing is, without question being taught wrong. Many
frustrated skiers, some with years of experience and dozens
of ski lessons under their feet, come to us and learn
to ski parallel in a day." Says Harb. "Our success is
based on the fact that our system is the only completely
integrated system. We do a complete analysis of your ability
to balance, first with your foot and ankle, with your
ski boot on and then add the correct movements on snow."
For experienced skiers the results are immediate once
balance, canting and alignment issues have been addressed. |
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Each year
sees an influx of ski instructors from around the country
becoming accredited in PMTS. A number of individuals as
well as resorts such as Silver Creek, CO; Boreal Ridge,
CA; Nub's Knob, MI; Wilmont, WI as well as the The Ski
Doctor's of Aspen, are but a few that have fully embraced
the PMTS way. "We offer PMTS certification programs around
the country", says Harb, "and we have dozens of instructors
from all over the country who are PMTS certified instructors
teaching at individual resorts." There is also a new PMTS
Direct Parallel Ski Instructors Organization. This is
a non-profit organization run by a Board of Directors
who were trained and accredited in the PMTS System. The
board is made up of the former President of PSIA central
division, a PSIA examiner, and a ski school director.
I asked Harb why the need for another organization. "Traditional
teaching systems such as the Professional Ski Instructors
of America (PSIA) do not address the needs of the recreational
skier. Shape skis have been out for five years and PSIA
still has not addressed current methods of instruction
with shaped skis." The numbers don't lie. Only 6% to 8%
of skiers take lessons on a given day at any given resort.
Most skiers feel that ski instruction is waste of time
but those polled agree that everyone could use a lesson
at some point. They'd rather be skiing than standing around
talking about it. "The public doesn't know what to expect
from a ski lesson and they should," says Harb. "People
take lessons and see little improvment so most never experience
what skiing is really all about. Ski teaching should be
at a much higher level than it is. |
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The
Primary Movements Teaching System offers an alternative and
the result is the highest quality lesson you can find. Quality
means you can see the results and changes for the better in
your own skiing. PMTS gives you the tools or foundation for
learning to ski everything, bumps powder, crud steeps and off-piste
conditions. This applies not only for beginners but for intermediate
and expert skiers as well." The true ski experience is going
down the hill, having fun without working hard in control with
little or no effort. PMTS is the new way to ski and the future
for the sport. PMTS offers "Skiing Solutions" for those who
are frustrated or complacent. For more information about the
Primary Movements Teaching System check Harald
Harb's website |
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