J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Trencher

http://www.ellis-brigham.com/products/cat-tracks/5604

Cat tracks are more for protecting your ski boots soles, rather than making walking easier. Essential if you have fitted boots.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpenheat-Boot-Gloves-Small-32-37/dp/B0000TSQD4

They do work, and are strongly constructed.

Leaving aside the debate over whether helmets prevent or reduce head trauma in major impacts, there are a host of minor injuries that helmets prevent. There are cuts and grazes that even minor falls can cause to the head when wearing a hat, that just don't happen if wearing a helmet. Even the face receives a lot of protection from cuts and grazes if the helmet is fitted and worn properly.

Aside from cutting toenails very short, there might be some boot fit issues, or use issues. It may be he needs a shorter boot for overall fit, but that doesn't leave room for the toes. Every boot is not only unique in shape, but will have slightly (or not so slightly) different lengths for a given size. So a different boot might be the answer. A boot fitter might be able to change the way the foot sits in the boot, or punch out the toe box. A custom footbed might create more room.

Another issue might be style of skiing; with weight back, or too much time spent walking and standing.

verbier_ski_bum wrote: I also have 156 cravers but they don't see much snow.

I also have some 155 carvers. They are a lot of fun, but the only time I really use them is skiing with kids. Skiing on longer skis at kiddy speeds is boring. Making hard turns at lower speeds on short skis is not only more fun for me, but the kids see the turns and copy them. If you are on longer skis, just skidding about as you escort the kids, they will copy that too - not so good.

daved wrote:If the skis can't stand a trip in an aircraft in a bag they wont stand much wear on the slopes!...Just make sure any bag you have is easily recognisable as yours as there are many bags of the same make about and at busy airports people can pick up the wrong bag...I know.... it happened to me

For most of us, there nothing on the mountain that is the equivalent of skis being dropped several metres onto concrete from a cargo hatch -)

AllyG wrote:

And is there anything the rest of us can do to avoid an injury like yours, other than pre-ski-ing exercises to strengthen the knee?

The bigger your quads, the better, with muscle, not the other stuff -)

When skiing, avoid falling rearwards with flexed knees, especially to the side. If you are falling into this position, don't fight it. It's the stress on the knee of trying to muscle your weight back up while the knee is flexed and twisted that is often destructive.

Jon, good luck with the knee. The meds will good for a few days though -)

It all depends on whether you really want to ski with them, or just assuage your guilt at leaving them behind. It also depends on how much they want to ski with you - put their money where their mouth is, to put it crudely.

I would say,they should at least have some money vested in a family ski holiday.