Think your kids need to start specializing in a specific ski discipline early on? Not true. There's some interesting research on the development of human potential that shows that some of the best elite athletes and performers tend to dabble and sample in a variety of activities early on, rather than deliberately practicing one special thing.

Author David Epstein talks about "How Falling Behind Can Get You Ahead" in his Tedx Talk.

Progress isn't always linear, and it turns out playing multiple sports and pursuing different interests can make you a better athlete in the long run. (The same applies to career interests and academics.)

So embrace the diversity in dryland training, take your mountain bike for a ride, try a new sport.