Discouraged beginner seeks advice :-)

Thanks again, and thanks Jan for that long post, the point about being perpendicular to the slope is something I would never have thought of, I will read it again tomorrow to check I have understood. Since posting this morning a friend here has offered to lend me shorter skis and introduce me to instructors.

Fantastic 8)

Now go and enjoy!

Jan

Good post by Jan, but I would add one thing: To make sure your weight is properly forward - try to feel the front of your shin "pressing" against the tongue of your boot. All you have to do is relax your muscles, and rest against them. Here is a link which may help illustrate this point. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=41llqEmmlQI&feature=related I know it says for "advanced" skiers, but I think it just as easily can be of benefit to beginners.

Everyone is right on about ski length. I am 188cm tall, and ski 168's. Albeit, I only weigh 68kg. :) I skied some 162's at a local demo day, and loved them, too!


I will question one point from some others, and will probably take some flak for it, but. . . If your GF has a proper understanding of the mechanics of skiing, and can convey them to you in a manner you can comprehend, then I don't see why you would not be able to learn from her. :)

Dshenberger wrote:I will question one point from some others, and will probably take some flak for it, but. . . If your GF has a proper understanding of the mechanics of skiing, and can convey them to you in a manner you can comprehend, then I don't see why you would not be able to learn from her. :)

No flak from me but I was guessing from Innsbrucker's original posting that these two big "ifs" were not being met one way or another.

She doesn´t claim to be an expert, has never taught before, and I very much doubt if she understands the mechanics of skiing, though she learnt young and seems very secure on skis - I was impressed by the way she can take my weight through turns, skiing together as if I were riding pillion on a bike. That is one of the ways I have seen parents here teaching very small children, and it was good for giving me the feel of sking, even if it looks a bit ridiculous. Her philosophy is ´don´t think too much´. Once in a while she likes to ski fast down a piste on her modern carving skis in short turns, legs together, in an old-fashioned, elegant, effortless style she probably learnt at school and never felt like changing.

Innsbrucker wrote: I was impressed by the way she can take my weight through turns, skiing together as if I were riding pillion on a bike.

I don't know how much good that will do your skiing, but it sure sounds good. :oops: Does the piste move for you? :lol:


Seriously, though, I think that confirms my guess that Dshenberger's two ifs are not being met and a professional lesson would be a good idea.