J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by pavelski

Skiing is a wonderful social/physical activity in which you meet people from all walks of life and orientations. You never know what will happen!

Such is this story! You never know what will happen!

I was skiing in a very "chi-chi" resort. You know the kind. Valet at door for skis. Padded and heated lifts. Free coffee just as you get on lift! etc....

I was going up lift with six other "mature" skiers and after the initial analysis of ski equipment, clothing and "other symbols" of social level, it was clear that these skiers were serious !

After 1 minutes the social intercourse begins with, "I was at...." or the best place to ski is ,,,,,

After 2 minutes the mood is mellow, except one fellow that just was irritating the rest with his, best skis, best ski resort, skied with Franz, and Hermain and more.

Side glances and smiles from us all "other mortals" in the cabin said it all!
The more this individual tried to impress us, the cooler the exchange was.
As a last desperate move, the person takes out the "most expensive, tiny cell phone in the world" and calls his stock broker! Of course he is wanting the latest figures on his "investments".

Casually my skiing partner ask him, "How much is this cell and can I see it"

With a pompous air he tells us all that it costs ZZZ dolars, it has GPS, world wide access, voice recognition etc......! As my friend is looking at this piece of technological marvel, he casually opens window and tosses cell out!

Silence!

Then smiles all round, except for one!

My friend takes out $300 and hands it to the speechless man!

With a smile my skiing partner says, "Here is the money for your phone and I regret now ever putting this model on the market!"

You see he was the CEO of the company that produced the phone.

Never heard another word from that man!

We did talk for the rest of the lift about; snow, food, best runs, best falls. Never about work!

You never know who is there with you and what will happen!

Dino is on list!
Can you please send me via PM your computer platform, memory space and possibility for video conferencing.

Also if you can not "attend" every week, at least download information via software wherever you are.

Each week members will be asked to do some form of exercise or to buy some tool and use it so in next few days Dino go buy;
-old iron
-apron
old ruin skis
sanding paper

Welcome to class!

On Friday I will make list of persons interested in "attending" first world ski tuning workshop.

I have designed the course in such a way that all session will be meshed so that previous knowledge and skill will help in future activities. I ask that all participants be "present" during course.

I will sent course certificate only to those that do "attend" ALL sessions!

I will also give a set of ski vices to the top participants ( via a pool draw)!

Hope you all enjoy this experience!


PS I have not "heard" from; Jobster, Powerhound concerning means of communication!

No doubt, but it depends on what kind of skier you are.
If social skier- spend your money at the bar.

Cheap skier-save up for next trip

technical skier- a must

Now if you ask the above question, then it indicates you are not well versed in skiing.
Your skis were made 6-10 months ago.
Your bases are like sponges and do "dry up"
Whenever I wax new skis, I can see the wax just being "sucked" in the base. Often I will lay two coats!

As far as ski modifications,again it depends what kind of skier you are!
If you are an entry level skier you do not need any modifications.
However as you get higher in the "competence" level you will want the ski to be "adapted" to you and the ski conditions where you will be.

I can not in this short reply provide you with all the information but let me illustrate just one "tuning option".

If you are going to ski in an area where there is lots of snow, ( I know , I know I am dreaming.....) then edges parameters is not that important, but a correct structured base and wax is critical! You have all experienced this scene! Lots of snow, warm and sticky snow! Everyone is having problems sliding, turning yet you will see some "expert" on teflon skis just floating above the slope.
It is partly due to his/her technique but also due to the preparation on the bases!

Trust me, it makes a difference!

Perhaps I have given you a wrong impression. Although I did race and I am more of the ski gypsy.

My comments are geared by my audience. It is clear to me that you are an exceptional skier/rider so we could speak about; take off strategies, landing from 10 meter cliffs, vertical cornice two step turns and the famous "first turn" in the steeps. It would bore most of the skiers in this site.

Most beginners must learn basics before flying! It appears very easy until you try to do it. If you do not have the basics you will no doubt "injury" yourself!

Often I have male skiers asking me to teach them how to go in the moguls, but before I do I ski with them on the easy runs to see if they have mastered the very basics that are so important in the moguls. It is so easy to "cheat" on an easy flat run! When you ski the steeps, moguls every error is magnified 10 fold! All the cheating techniques are not relevant here!

That is why I do not discuss air, cliffs, powder, moguls skiing here!


That does not mean that it is not part of my "repetoire" of skiing options.

As a rule, if the tips of skis leaves the snow surface ( for beginners and even intermediates) it means you are sitting back!

Rare are the skiers that allow the tails to rise, but you do see this in moguls due to poor technique!

What I do is ski from the top of one mogul to another crest or top, without going into the valley ( where there is ice)! That means I must go a certain speed. That means I have to be perfectly balanced in the air, at my take off and landing! Not sure if most skiers on this site want to hear how to do this. You might, but you are far above most skiers in this site.

In conclusion, I believe while you ski that you always test the limits of your skis, test the limits of your ability. Always in a save context! I have picked up too many bodies ( with blue lips) to suggest that all skiers attempt some air when they are having problems with; skidding, hands, backs, etc...

Let me just finish by saying something that I suspect only you will understand, yes I know how birds feel when they fly!

The above reply is excellent.

May I suggest the following;

1.All modern skis are carving skis. The difference in quality of "carve" is the skier not the ski! Yes some skis are easier to carve! due to its geometry. Smaller the radius of the ski (printed on skis the easier to turn)

2. As far as short skis, be careful too short ski might appear to make turns easy but most people "cheat" carve by doing body rotation. That is their shoulders and torso turn first, thus "forcing" the ski to turn after they have turned shoulder. A NO NO! Poor form and will result in back aches, sore thighs and forever plateau as beginner.

3. As suggested above take the time to learn the basics. That kick at end of turn is for next year! If you can set edge and turn ski ON EDGE that is enough.

4. As far as "high" bindings. all rental bindings are on a demo plate which is standard! Very few skiers use Racing plates.

5.Carving is another word to describe effective skiing in which you ski edge to edge with little "flat" skiing and NO skidding! It can be done with 205 cm skis as well as with 165 cm. However with 205 cm. skis you are carving at 25 m radius! With 165 cm skis you are carving at 13 m radius.

6. In skiing, poles are NOT optional since you need them on flat terrain, on travers sections and also for rythm. Yes, you do not have to use poles when you go fast and are effective however as beginner you need them!

7. Modern skiing does not involve "lifting" the skis, ever! You must keep ski on snow at all times! If ever your tips go up,,,,you are sitting back! Another NO NO!

8. Try not to think too much about technique. Enjoy yourself and focus on one aspect of skiing!

Hope this helps you!

Forgive me since I forgot several points.

1.Please confirm that you are ready to begin next week to buy all necessary products.

2.Please send secondary method to reach you if this site is off or down.

3. Please send your electronic base, experience and equipment ( cam, camera. email, broadband etc...)

4.Please send level of manual dexterity!

Ready to go....

James has pointed out an interesting point. If you are serious tuner, you must get "practice" skis and boots. At end of ski day just visit ski stores at resort. They will give you broken skis and discarded boots!

I have ski company reps who call me to give away 20 pair of skis that are "too old".

You will not become tuner overnight but you will over time learn the secrets of tuning by using olds skis and boots.

I also forgot to discuss work area.
Many years ago I started tuning my skis in my kitchen since my parents lived in a small apartment!

Now I have my own tune shop with bench area, stone grinder,and ceramic polisher!

It took 40 years to accumulate all ski tuning equipment so just be patient!
Take the first step by buying basic tools.
The list will be given later.

James since you did not mention that you would like to participate before today ( even if as "observer") you will miss the "private" data sent via PM!
Do you mind?