Messages posted by : pavelski
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The following form is presented to help all you men that desire to ski with the "fellows" and then come back to a "happy" home.
I hope all skiers visiting this site and reading this document will accept this document in the spirit it was posted- that is to acknowledge that without our spouses we would be lost in that "white heaven"! As in all movies on TV , a warning must be presented for the "tender minds",,,, such is the goal of this message. If you are not over 18, if you are not married and if you have never left your home with a small "hint" of guilt, You should NOT read this form. Application to request to ski with boys Name of husband/boyfriend/fiancé Date: Location of skiing: I request permission from the highest authority in my life, to undertake a ski holiday on_______ time of departure:_______ time arrival:_______ (I promise not to exceed time of arrival back home by more than 3 hours, unless there is more than 30 cm. of new snow on slopes) Should permission be granted for this ski trip with, only the following are included:* 1. 4. 2. 5. 3. 6. * All certified as adult males I solemnly swear to driving directly to ski resort and visit only the ski center note above. I agree to refrain from all "other" activities that do not relate to skiing. I promise not to accept any lift rides with a female skier unless one of the group is with us. I shall not speak with any females outside the ski resort , except as expressly permitted in writing below! I will not turn off my cellular phone while in the base lounge bar and will not consume past the allotted amount stipulated below in section 2 of the document. If however the group pressure becomes such that I "consider" to drink past my limit, I may be allowed to call for a verbal waiver on my alcohol limit. I accept not to sing my rugby club's songs while in bar and I will refrain to discuss my first date with my wife! I understand that even if permission is granted for this ski trip of one day ( with exception for extension due to great snowfall), my wife/ girlfriend retains the right to be "upset" with me the following week for no valid reason! SECTION 1 Persons allowed within 1 meter radius Group ( see above) Ski staff Medical staff ( if required) SECTION 2 Amount of alcohol permitted BEER_______ WINE_______ Liquor_________ Total : SECTION 3 GPS tracking locations Locations allowed to visit; 1. 2. 3. Ski runs to use Après-ski sites SECTION 4 Females with whom permitted to speak; Location________________from (time)_______ to______ Location________________from___________ to _______ Location________________ from_________ to________ Conclusion I acknowledge that skiing is a dangerous sport on the ski runs but also in the chalets. I accept to behave my age and not be "bullied" by the boys to do anything that may tarnish my family name. I know who wears the trousers in our relationship and I agree it is not me! I promise to respect all conditions and agreements stipulated in this document. I understand and accept that this ski trip will cost me a fortune in flowers and chocolates. While I am away, you may use the joint credit card as you see fit ! While with the boys , I promise not to talk about your mother, the problem with your boss and finally the counseling sessions! I will not initiate any "deep' discussions about marriage, house cleaning and "male multi-tasking"! I will refrain from waking you when I get home and I promise to take a shower before coming into bed! The "dirty ski outfits" will also be placed in washer! I declare, to the very best of my knowledge that I have read this document and the above information is correct! Signed husband/boyfriend/ fiancé _____________________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REQUEST IS : APPROVED_____ DENIED______ Note: This decision is not negotiable! If approved,,,, applicant must tear and keep at all times this "approval form" in his pocket. If at any time someone asks "proof of approval" for this trip, this form must be displayed! Permission for ski trip with boys Date____Ski Resort______Time of Departure______ Time of Return ____ Signed:____________________ |
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I have just finished "sampling" some new 2008 skis and noticed something that is very important to top level skiers and racers.
Many of the anti-vibration plates are made by VIST and if you look very carefully at the interface between plate and ski surface you will not a "bevel" front and back section on plate! This is to allow the ski to flex without interfering with binding mechanism! After testing the flex range of 10 skis on workbench, it was clear that the bevel design is not functioning since the ski top touches the plate. For you skiers that really want to allow the ski to flex without touching the plate here is a solution! Take front binding off Take plate off and grid down bevel angle 2mm more . In other words you are giving the ski more flex range by giving a greater space between plate and ski. ( note this is only done at the ends of plate) This is very important for SL racing skis since you want to get the most tip flex you can get. I contacted FIS and they confirm that this does not change FIS race official specifications. For you non -races this modification will allow you to make more pronounced carve with less physical forces. If you want to see if your plate is correctly set, just raise ski up to light and see if some light does shine between plate and ski top! This is at static position. Now place ski on wooden blocks, push down and see if you still have that "clearance" between ski top and plate! If not, you should take off 1-2mm off at tip and end of plate. You will note a difference!!!! Happy skiing. |
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Just after having "answered" some questions skiers had about ski length , I happen to read in Ski Canada on page 10 a great article about this very topic but written in 1999.
The author, Ian MacMillan points out the "reasons" skier select skis based on various factors. There seems to be no logic (in 1999) in ski length selection and it seems even less in 2007! If you have a chance read this article. |
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Many skiers ask me to select or recommend a ski for them since I evaluate skis for a large research agency. The following are some basic steps in the selection process and I hope this will help some of you .
Do not be fooled by the "easy" term in the heading above. The steps are clear and easy but the success of your purchase is based on your honesty to yourself about; your skiing ability ( not desired ability level), your skiing type ( how you ski on the ski runs), and finally how much money you want to spend! STEP 1. Gather information about your needs and abilities. Do this on paper so that if you are not satisfied once you get skis, you can blame yourself!!! Answer honestly the following questions; 1. What is my price range? 2. What is my ability range, but more importantly ask yourself if you want to progress or are happy at the level selected. 3. How do I ski? (slow and controlled, all speeds, fast and furious, uneasy) 4. Where do I ski? ( groomed runs, off piste, hard snow, powder ) 5. What is my physical condition? ( muscular mass, coordination, energy level) 6. What is most important for me in a ski? (prestige ie image, performance, price, long life of ski, pleasure ) STEP 2. Allow me an analogy. You are a hawk soaring far above a flock of birds. You are hungry and you see hundreds of birds flying here are there. Their common "erratic" behavior is confusing you in deciding which "bird" is yours. You will never get ONE bird if you keep looking at flock. You must focus on one or two potential "targets". Watch them.......and when you are ready, do not hesitate. Dive!!!! You are that hawk! Do not get lost in the maze of ski reports, in the marketing image campaigns. You have all the information you collected above ( on paper), in this step locate 5 potential skis ( for the moment forget; price, looks, store, etc...) based on one criteria which you feel is the most important. In my case it is "performance". That is all out precision and stability so I will pick only those skis known and reported for technical skiers. Often they are called, "unforgiving" skis. (but what pleasure they give). You select your number one selection criterion! It can be; 1. visual aspects of ski 2. company name or type 3.price level 4.side cut ( yes you will have to educate yourself about this) 5.specific ski function ( race ski, park ski, powder ski, all-round ski, etc...) 6.overall long term function. A comment The more precise ( and honest ) you are about you and your skiing needs, the easier it will be to select a ski for you! The more "educated" you are about ski dynamics ( side cut, flex pattern, torsion, core material, vibration plates ) the better your choice will be! You will also be able to understand the sales person at ski shop. Once you have "focussed" on five models you are ready for step 3. STEP 3 The hawk soars above his prey and watches very carefully for that one bird that "sticks out from the rest". You know, the weak wing stroke, the tired look, etc.... You want to do the same, but you are looking for positive aspects of the ski THAT MATCH YOUR NEEDS. I need to stress this! You are answering your needs thus you must always go back to your needs. Not the shop salesperson's ( to make profit), not ski instructor's, not your friend's! Here is the secret to selecting a "correct" ski FOR YOU! It is the mating of your needs with the ski's attributes. No one but you can determine what is an acceptable "mate". You must try skis! A secret no one will tell you is that ski companies provide "demo" skis to stores, ski resorts and "others" and if a store feels you are a serious buyer, they will "find" that ski for you! Many will allow you to ski with a model for free! You must try and compare. Another analogy the women skiers will understand! In the cosmetic world every company has samples which are "hidden" UNDER THE COUNTER! The smart customer knows that if you stop and chat with sales persons and seem knowledgeable about this ZYX product vs. CDS product soon the treasures will appear. I am amazed how my two girls have cabinets full of all sorts of creams, liquids and powders . All free. All samples! You have this also in the ski world but first you must show your knowledge and intent before the back shop door opens and "behold" your ski appears! I have even had a ski store manager "get" a specific ski for me that was not popular in the area! If you can have a car for one week to "sample", believe me you can get a demo ski! Some ski resorts even let you try a new ski every day! Very quickly you will discover a most marvelous thing! Like humans ski have a personality and when they are "in the groove" they are fun to be with. But when they are "not in their element" they are not very pleasant to be with! Sounds familiar????? Another example. I am now evaluating a Rossignol World Cup racing GS ski ( prototype for 2007). Tried it on several ski centers. Terrible ski at slow speeds. Terrible ski in soft powder snow! Then I tried it in a ski run that was closed to public! My god!!!!! Heaven!!! Just two words, "speed machine" ( in closed runs or race course). Here is my message to all you future ski selectors, the proof is in the pudding! Try try and try all the skis. Then one will mate with you. You will soar! You will say, "where have you been all this time"? That is the ski for you! You have found your ski. Conclusion You have your ski, now you must find a store or place where you can buy it. As in all transactions you want the best deal. Shop around. I mean really shop around! I am amazed how skiers "limit" themselves to their ski shop ( town, county, country) in this day of the internet. Yes by all means go to your store and compare. Local ski stores deserve your business , as long as they are competitive. Everything is negociable and store managers can and will offer you a better price! Here are my "hints" or biases in regards to ski prices. 1. There is a major difference in ski prices if you compare countries.For example Rossis are made in France, yet the best prices for their skis was in an "western" country! 2. Stores ski prices are locally set. What does the other store in the city sell? What can the market bear locally? 3. Suggested ski prices by the ski companies are NEVER honor! 4. Resort ski prices are higher than ski stores in cities. By resort I mean on the resort ( usually at ski base). I know of many large ski resorts that have 10 ski shops in the village or access roads. They have great ski prices. 5, Like the hawk, you must learn to hunt at specific times. Never before Christmas, never during ski holiday, never at last minute. 6. The best prices for skis are; March and August. March because ski stores are thinking of all inventory they will have to "store" away during the Summer and August because in my area many have "tent" sales! I hope this helps you select YOUR skis! I do recommend you visit your store and I do recommend you buy from them, as long as the price of skis is competitive! I will be participating in a ski conference this week and will test some new 2007 models! The administrators of this site will allow me to post some pictures and comments for you! Happy skiing and I hope you find that lost skiing partner soon. |
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Real Ale,
I have concluded that it is worthwhile to take 5 minutes with student and get to know what he/she expects to learn and what learning style is better. You are right about SOME males who expect you to teach their way! It always makes me proud when I see a small 120 lbs. girl do a beach start ( without wetting her toes), that I just taught her and that male is still powering ( due to poor technique) the sail for 15 minutes. Yes windsurfing is another sport that requires technique, not muscle. The wind will always be stronger! Thanks for the example! |
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Trencher,
You are so right about the soft ski issue and learning. The problem is that "soft" is such a relative term. For the past 10 years I have been testing skis and keep a file on all skis. Whenever I get a new ski I do all sort of "bench tests" using the same weights and same procedures. After reading your comments I went back to my files and found; 1. all modern skis have softer flex than skis 10 years ago 2.torsion index has increased in some racing skis The issue is how much "softness" is good for learner and still will allow skis to be "active" for at least 4 -5 years. I would love to do a 5 year study in this regard. Dave might get a new free ski next year if I can convince some ski companies to donate 5-8 pairs of skis for such a study! Since I am meeting several reps next week I will offer them this study! Also it is a shame that like in ski boots there is an flex index, we do not have any indication of ski flex index! All I know is that I have 15 pairs of skis in my workshop, with all sorts of; breaks, delaminations and top ski peeling! Cause,,,,unknown. No ski company wants to face this issue,,yet. I have asked racing coaches to keep records of ski breaks and they will provide me with information on the skier. I hope to do correlational study in relation to ski breaks and age, sex weigth and skier level. I hope to present the findings at an industry conference in 2007! Meanwhile the debate continues and Dave wonders!!!! |
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Real Ale suggests "soft skis" for a skier over 200 lbs.
May I point out that a "soft" ski on a "heavy" skier will result possibiy in; 1. broken ski 2. Bent ski at tip 3.need for new ski every year. Every skier should ask themselves, how much "performance" they want vs. how long do I want to keep ski! Nothing is free in life! Yes you can have a 200lb. skier on 165 cm boards but the ski will last 1 year if he is an expert skier! I weigh 180 lbs and have delaminated a "soft" ski in SL race course since the grooves near poles were deep! And why Salomon!!!!! ONLY !!!! |
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No cheating now! If you really want to know your Ski IQ first go to questions in this section ( see below topic ) THEN read this section to get answer! I will provide answers with some comments to share additional information for your own skiing culture. 1. This first question samples your knowledge of basic ski design. All skiers should know that SL ( slalom skis) have a radius of 12 meters and GS ( giant slalom) skis have a radius of 21 meters. Correct answer is C Salomon 2V ( the very best Rossi GS ski) 2. Sir Arthur C. Doyle. A general knowledge question on historic persons in skiing. Did you know that first British ski club was formed in 1903! 3. C, All are ski products that have disappeared 4. C DIN is the world standard release scale for all ski bindings . It was designed in Germany and accepted by all ski institutions. 5. A. Surprise!!! 6. C This question samples again your basic knowledge of ski design as an indication of its function. This is called a "fat" ski. Designed just for powder ( knees to chest)!!! 7. C A very important man who introduced skiing to Canadians in ski centers north of Montreal ( near Tremblant) ( This question may be consider "culturally biased to British skiers). 8. D A technical and historic question. A skier should know where skis come from and how they were designed. 9. D This is considered a "global" deductive question since you must know how each term relates to skiing but also their relationship to each term. In Bloom"s taxonomy this is called a "abstract reasoning, deductive" question. 10. C A general modern knowledge question. 11. A. A technical and general knowledge question. 12 B This is really a "higher level of difficulty" question for the really serious skier. This is the type of question that really separates the so so skiers and the "committed" skier! 13 B All produce ski cloths! 14. E A North American ski resort. All others are in Europe. 15 C Another technical basic knowledge question. Every skier should have one. Walk into a ski shop and use a true bar and you are making a statement! ( about your knowledge in skiing, about you as customer) You will get respect! You might even explain to shop salesperson why and how you use this true bar! 16 D An object that many skiers do not know about but every racer has and every ski professional worth his/her salt uses! 17 B Knowledgeable skiers should know all the ski types available! 18. A. If you are a top level skier, you have dreamed of skiing with a helicopter. Hans was the original heli man who just died! 19. ****** This is the kind of question you hated when you were in school since it is poorly worded, samples several skiing cognitive abilities and has design problems. So I give everyone a point for this question. It is my fault for writing such a "poor" question. If ever you meet me on ski slope or in conference. I will pay you a beer, to ease the frustration you had! PS Some IQ questions have this problem. For example in the vocabulary section of the WISC some terms are too "americanized to white middle-class children)! 20 D This you must know! Come on ! Who does not know the famous, classic VR 17 !!!! Jean Claude Killy won SL gold metal on them!! Hope you enjoyed this "test"! At least you got a free beer from me! |
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