Messages posted by : pavelski
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Several people have asked me why they need to confirm presence again!
Many persons have asked several months ago to "attend" class, but once class begins they have disappeared! I plan my classes, with support material such as technical manuals, pictures of ruined skis, videos of correct tuning procedures etc... . I will only send material to "enrolled" students since there is a cost and time factor. I also correct the tests and projects of these students. In some serious cases I call persons to find solutions to their problems! In other words I give all enrolled students "special" attention! So please confirm if you will attend by Friday! Thank you for your patience. Pavel |
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Well September is here and school begins.
The classroom door is closed as of yesterday thus only the students who "registered" and who will send me their confirmation that they still want to attend will be "officially" recognized! What does that mean? Well all photos I send will be to those students only. Homework will be analyzed and comments will be made. Technical Manuals will be sent Formative evaluation will be done Specific problems and issues will be addressed Finally awards will be given to these students. Others can "observe" however. I will assume that you all have now some old skis, some basic tools, and some idea why you want to take this course. Let me begin by asking all of you the either create an email specific for this course or allow me to send you various documents via your email. Please confirm you are still "attending" and confirm what email you want me to use. I need this since I have already have an exercise for you using the Salomon Technical Manual! I hope you all can receive PDF documents. Also you are all from various countries, for some English is not your first language so please feel free to ask questions for clarification. I do not have your level of formal education ( high school, university, post-graduate studies, technical studies) so please feel free to comment on my presentations as far as clarity and precision. I never give a course the same way to all classes. I tailor the class to you and your needs. Please feel free to comment at the end of each class. I have planned many projects, "homework" and activities to help you understand concepts and terms. It is your choice to do them or not, however if you want an "official" course diploma and be one of the candidates for the class prize you must do all work! This week we shall try to get all the technical issues resolved ( platforms MAC PC, video conferencing possibilities, Skype possibilities, picture transfers). Once we have all the issues resolved and I have my "real" class list done then we will be ready to begin! I would appreciate getting from you and your specific needs, that perhaps are not listed in the class outline. I can and will stress some topics more if the need arises. A small introduction is also in order. Who is this fellow Pavel! Why is he doing this? I am a ski fanatic that has done many activities in the skiing world. If you read my profile you will note that I believe that skiing is a way of life. I have been skiing since I was 2 years old and now I am a dinosaur ! I am a ski instructor and a ski instructor trainer, was a ski patroller and as a student I worked in various ski shops until I became a buyer for a chain of sports shops. I test proto-type skis for various companies since my formal training is in evaluation . I teach at a university courses in;test design, IQ testing, Test bias and research design. Between you and me my real passion is skiing. I only do various activities to pay for my skiing! I have one major pathology I collect skis, since I hope to open a ski museum soon. Enough about me. If you have visited internet sites you will note that there are two types of sites. Those centered on the person. You know the me me me sites. With pictures, lists of awards, dogs cats, etc.. The other is subject oriented. This course is not about me! It is about ski tuning and making you the very best tuners in your area. Believe me you will be, the very best! A short note on the class context. There will be little theory and even less dogma. I believe in the hands on approach, thus for some of you who know pedagogy I will use the "socio-constructivism" approach in class. In short that means learning via your needs and allowing you to learn by doing!( academics like to impress with long words)! This might very well be the first class in which you are not "forced" to attend and in which you want to truly learn! That is the very best type of class! A short comment on my shortcomings. First great weakness is that English in not my mother tongue.It is my fourth!I will make mistakes. Please forgive me. If I do not express myself well or clearly please ask me to repeat in another way! I can not stress this more!! Some concepts and terms must be understood for safety reasons. Allow me to provide an example. When we discuss setting the DIN scale on bindings and we look at the origins of the scale two concepts will come up; the "normal distribution" and measurement error! You must understand well these two terms and concepts since they are the bases of how and why you set a DIN. I stress again, if you do not understand these two terms and I do not explain them clearly,,,,,,STOP ME! It is my fault as a teacher! I will always have your needs in mind! My second weakness is using computers! I have a love/hate relationship with these.........!!!!! I use them to pass along information and sometimes they sense that I do not "worship them" so strange things happen! Please be patient with me! I use a Mac G5 with dual processors so there may be some "problems " in picture transfer also I have some videos which I will send via DVD thus I will ask you for your address once you begin to trust me! If you are in doubt just give me another address! Since the Rossignol racing video is very long I can not send it via net! My third weakness is physical. I may be absent for a week or two for a minor operation. I had a planned this operation in August but the physician had many "urgent" cases so.... I will not disappear! I promise to complete this course with you so just be patient! I have many other weaknesses and I am sure you will find them out during the course, however there is one strength which I have which will make this course interesting! I love to teach so every class will be interesting. Every class will be full of activities and you will learn the art and science of tuning. Note the two words I used; ART and SCIENCE! Art because there is some "personal" intuitive aspects to tuning. Science because there are studies which try to indicate why such procedure is better, why such wax is better, why such base structure is faster! The great tuner marries the two and knows the correct proportion! Enough talking! Welcome to the class and have a great time learning! Respectfully, Pavel |
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I will wait one week for all to read this proposal. Then it will be the prize!
Pavel |
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After having written about the coming next Pavel quizz, I realized I can offer the very best prize that 99% of average skiers can never get.
You see there is a logistics problem with some prizes. Recently I gave a fellow J2ski a pair of new Rossignol boots, however the cost to send them ( I am from a far away land) was $150!!! Si I ended up giving them away to a young cah poor racer! But now I have a UNIQUE prize! Every year I am invited to try next year's skis so for two days I can try any , I mean any prototype or next year's skis. If you agree, I can have as prize the possibility of a skier to have a chance to ski all new future skis for two days at my cost. I will pay lift, meals and entry to a select resort for this testing! The winner will have to plan holiday at same week at same resort. This testing is not open to public, so it is very "exclusive" prize! At this scene you will meet, instructors, racers, etc... All skis for 2008 will be there and you will be able to ski ALL future skis during the 2 days! While I plan contest, you can all consider prize and tell me if you accept it! Now that is a prize worth winning! |
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Freezywater, Ellistine,
Have you been reading my mind! I am just in the process of introducing a very special Quiz! Because of the internet and Google it is no longer challenging to prepare pure "knowledge base" questions like, "Who placed first in the Slalom French Olympics"! Too easy" This contest will require skiing knowledge, but also thinking outside the box ( that is finding or discovery links between skiing related events or sites)! In essence it will be a skiing internet rally. You must get answer of question 1 to get to question 2. At each "station" the skier will get one word or symbol. The first person to get all 10 words, letters, numbers or icons will get prize!!!! I have looked over the many possible prizes and so far they may be; 1. Spyder ski gloves 2. Spyder race pants 3. Spyder coaches winter coat 4. Avalanche ski pants 5.A Burton Board donated from Burton himself ( his factory is only several miles from my home) 6. A Canadian National Team outfit 7. A CMH Heli_ski poster ( that will make you very very sick) 8. A pair of Atomic Ski boots ( Are reading this Ellistine?) The format is set. The questions are nearly set but I have to "field test" them so that Mike or Ellistine will not challenge me if they do not get prize! In short the person who wins this prize will have to have the following characteristics; 1. A person with divergent thinking abilities 2. A person who can go beyond Google results 3. A person who can see links and relationships in the context of skiing. 4. A person who can get by with 3 hours of sleep 5. A person who accepts skiing as a "acceptable life long habit" 6. A person who first gets to know Bloom's Cognitive Taxonomy! ( especially the latter abilities) 7. A person who has read and appreciates the Da Vinci Code novel 8.A person who appreciates skiing beyond the physical activity. 9. A person who no only "surfs" on the net but who reads about skiing! 10. A person who enjoys "intellectual rallies" and thus discovers the jewels in Ali-Babba's cave! Have I wet your appetite? Are you all ready of the "suffering"! With suffering come knowledge and realisation that we all constantly must learn to progress. One hint! ( well many more but...) I suspect that this rally will be easier if you are not alone! Like in a rally you need a driver AND a navigator ( I know for sure that Mike will need a navigator or else he will end up in another galaxy)! I will post soon some basic rules and a time limit! I will also put in sealed envelope the answers and give to my local priest or site administrator so that there is not "legal issues" when Ellistine wins the ski trip to Utah paid by Spyder ski company! May I suggest you all re-read Da Vinci Code, get lots of sleep and perhaps read Bloom's Taxonomy! |
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Trencher,
Just yesterday I was mentioning to Jan about the "interesting" skiers we have on this site. This was to indicate how "we" are very much individuals with our own minds and opinions. Yet we respect each other and can be civil! Rare are such internet interactions! Perhaps the excellent administration of this site has something to do with this! Thus introductions are in order. Jan and you are , I am sure going to have many spirited discussions. Enjoy the mental jousting! I see new pict of your no poles technique!!!! By the way, I will be in Utah for 2 months in 2008. I would love to see you in action. Perhaps can organize a "professional conference" so that Jan, Mike and etc... can meet. PS Jan, the other "interesting" fellow yu shouls meet is Mike from NS. He is also an engineer who is designing a fully automated waxing mat which waxes as you line up for the lift! He also is designing for me a device which can keep my hammock swinging continously so I do not have to ask kids to push me! So Mike and Trencher you are warned, this man Jan is a challenge ( PS he also skis on Atomics so he has great taste)! Trencher, are you still interested in the tuning course? You see Jan well be attending so with both of you in class I will have to "up-grade" my class notes, increase the formative tests and create more "imaginative" homework projects. There are 10 questions all students are supposed to answer BEFORE entering into cyber class! See tuning section!! Cheers |
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After writing the above post, I checked with my contacts at Tremblant about more up-to-date information.
Here it is. There is a new lift from South side to North side. Major work done on South side thus the advice I gave about the quiet cheaper resto on North side is no longer valid. For skiers who are not aware of the topography at Tremblant this center has tow sides and the lake side or south side is where the Disney world village is located. This is the side where all tourists, social life and vast majority of skier go! If you wish to avoid traffic, problems at shop or crowded slopes go to lake or village side. The more quiet side was the North side. You could park car right up to slopes, less skiers and quieter! There is a major construction project now at this side and I suspect as a result greater skier traffic! Sorry! |
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Jobster has given some excellent tips. The very best one was concerning the boot fitting! If you are smart you will go to other shops and get a weekly rental.
About 3 Km. from resort there is a small ski shop that will fit you in peace and quiet on Sunday before your ski week. It is on the road to the small village called St. Jovite! They have high end boots and skis. Also if you can ear;ly in the morning take the chairs to mid station since gondola will be full with 20 minutes wait. Then ski the north side where no one goes. Take the Beauchemine slope ( it is 3 km. long) and easy! Avoid at all costs the south side till Tuesday since this is tourist land! You must one night eat at Porte Rouge ( reserve) the very best resto in area. Most tourist do not know about this place! If you are an intermediate skier and serious about skiing , may I suggest you visit Montreal and go to Sports Expert ski shop on St. Catherine Street and buy skis and boots!Best deal in town! Depending on when you come to Tremblant may I also suggest polar fleece underwear and Turtle Fur neck warmer!!! What you have no idea what is Turtle fur!!! Check it out! Comes from Stowe!!!! Another hint. Try to be ahead of the wave! Jobster mentionned the problem with boots. If you are ahead of the wave that means you are ahead of the multitudes for boots , lifts and restos!!! They will not tell you this , but you can go to ski shop on Sunday night and have all equipement ready! Do not eat at top resto. Too expensive. It is wiser to go to a "depanneur" which is a small grocery store and stock up on cold cuts, subs, nuts etc... which you can eat at your leisure! On the South side there is a quiet resto/bar which only the locals know about. Cheaper and better service. Make sure your skis are well sharpened since many European skiers find our conditions hard! We call it "groomed ice"!!!! Quebec is 70% francophone and they appreciate if you try to speak the local dialect! Of course you must try the artery clogging "poutine"!!! Just do not order the large format! You will not be able to eat it. This you must go to the small village 10 km. from the ski center. Jobster also correctly pointed out the eratz fantasy village! We call it Disney World on skis!!! One final hint. Most French Quebec skier would like you to call them Quebecois! They still remember that England conquered the French colony in the 1700s! If need any specific advice please feel free to contact me. Yes yes just forgot! Keep away from the EXPO ski run! DO NOT go there unless you are a very very very good and slightly crazy skier! Another thought. Keep away from Carriboo! Not the animal but the drink!!! Very dangerous unless you will not ski the next day! Bonjour et bon ski! |
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