I worked at Snow Basin in Utah winter of '72/'73. It was one of the hallmark experiences of my life. I wasn't on the Ski Patrol, but I would do sweeps with 'em at closing time sometimes. I was in awe of how good those guys were, so I have an idea of the ability level, though I personally never got that good.

As far as explaining talent goes... I am uniquely fit for these types of sports because of my high level of stability and balance, my desire for adrenaline, ability to learn quickly, and my dedication to self improvement. Talent is great, but skill is better. I think most professionals would agree.

@condor5
Three cheers for mountain ops! My job would have been impossible without help from other departments. It's amazing the amount of team work it takes to run a ski resort.

@jayneonacobb honestly, it was a hard job at times, but the funnest job I ever had, far and away. Except for the people who got pissed at me when I was told to go up and flatten the moguls. The better skiers loved those things. I've got so many stories from just that one winter.

But, I bet you could sense in the top players something that set them apart from those who were slightly less accomplished, couldn't you?

@Condor5 They were good or dedicated beyond belief... since I was a physical education major... we studied russian approach to athletics... they took 200 boys and trained them to be sprinters... with a specific olympic as target... those olympics came and the boys were not ready... american approach will ditch the project... russian approach continued for 4 more years... the russian that won the 200 meters that olympic was part of that group. Knowing russian dancers... they work harder than any american dancer would... so is not a surprise that russian control the dance world. Is work ethic. You may find an individual in any part of the world with a perfect combination of skills to produce a result despite minimal effort but a hard worker will have him beat eventually. They used to say that Michael Jordan played 3 passes ahead. Bob Beamon when he broke the long jump world record in Mexico city did it because of his lack of discipline so while most jumpers posted flags to measure their steps, he simply just ran and jumped without disciplining the sprint. Some were born to play basketball or soccer or baseball. The greatest catch I ever made playing baseball was a catch in left field that when I started to run for it I was convinced that it was homerun and I simply needed to retrieve the ball because it was my responsibility... When I got to the wall I realized that if I jumped and timing it right I will have a chance. I did and I stole a grand slam from an 18 year old, me being 15. Sometimes you just need to try without thinking much about success or failure instead just try blanking everything else. The pro's were born with the skills or developed the skills. And their minds control that beautiful well tuned body but do not forget that what killed Bruce Lee was a simple pill that will do me or you any harm. Athletes are machines, well tuned and often enough very sensitive to things will not do you or me any harm. That is the Trade Off my friend at times we don't see.

@GipsyOfNewSpain good insights, thank you for that.