Messages posted by : pavelski
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So many skiers are puzzled at the choice in skis. To confuse skiers even more every ski company has different terminology in classifying skier types. Marketing ads and technical booklets provide even more confusion by providing little "objective" clear information of a ski's targetted skier and "expected" skier competencies!
I have just finished reading a ski companies technical booklet for shop salespersons and according to this booklet all skis are great for all skiers! Let's clear the air! First some background information for potential buyers! There are no more poor quality ski companies! All skis have product warranties which last in most cases 1 year. It all depends on how your retailer will "support" your request for new skis if there is a problem! There is a major world wide price difference on various skis. With this wonderful communication medium, the internet you can "shop around"! The profit margin on skis is relatively small compared to; jackets, gloves, glasses etc... but if you are smart consumer you can find great skis at a reasonable price! The problem is what I consider "reasonable" may not be reasonable since you have different values in regards to skiing! The problem in selecting a great ski for you is the same as finding a great "life-time partner", you have to be honest with yourself first and know your priorities! Here are some basic questions YOU should answer before stepping into any store. 1. How much money do I ( have) or want to invest in getting those "dream" skis! The value of a product is relative to you! You can only decide how much "free money " you have. Here is a few benchmarks in US dollars! -Racing skis: Real racing skis you can not get since they are not bought in ski shops, however there are "specialty shops and sites" that do sell "real" racing skis. One secret site is the "Masters" site!!! Check it out! - De-tuned racing: $500-700 - Expert level ( riders,Xtreme, cruisers etc....you name type) $500-$700 - Entry level skis : $ 300-400! 2. The most difficult questions! How a do I ski and where do I ski ( most of the time)! Be honest with yourself! Please do not answer , "well I ski the moguls, or I ski the double diamonds" The key question you have to ask yourself is, "How do you ski the moguls and how do you ski the diamonds". It might be great for your ego to have the latest, brightest, and most technical ski, but can you handle it! After the last Olympics, I had a chance to try a REAL World Cup GS ski on the actual race course! It made me afraid! I have a few white hairs now because of this experience! The skis were too much for me and I am "wise" enough to accept this fact! List where you were last year! What did you like! If you have any doubt, try all sorts of skis in all sorts of conditions! 3. Another "hard" question coming up!!!! How committed am I to skiing? Is it a social activity for you? Is it a weekend activity to do with friends? Is it a personal challenge? This crucial in order to focus on your skiing needs! If it is a social activity, think of renting! If it is weekend activity think of getting second hand or last year's stock! Now if you are in skiing for you! It is a life-style, life long activity,,,,then you really have to "get to know" the personalities of all skis! A side bar discussion here , if you do not mind! Skis , even within the same company, have varied personalities! You have to find a ski that "mates" with your ability level, ski terrain you typically use and skiing behavior you have! That is the secret to getting great skis FOR YOU! 4.Easy question now! Think of a typical skiing day,,, and ask yourself how do I ski in terms of; speed type of turns type of slope type fellow skiers I am with If in doubt just read some ski articles that have evaluated "new" skis. At the very beginning of all articles they provide the parameters used to rate skis. Use these parameters to "identify" your priorities! 5.Now for the very hardest question of all!!!! It is the very hardest question because it requires you to be very honest with yourself and requires you to look in the mirror and answer the question, "Where do I see, as far as skiing is concerned, myself in three years?" If you are happy where you are now, then do not spend lots of money of "hot" skis! If you see yourself up one or two levels, by all means get a ski that will "require you" to work at skiing better! As you can see, the difficulty in choosing a ski is in know your real needs not what friends, instructors, ski companies tell you !!! |
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A myth is a belief that has no objective basis!
Many persons promote myths about skiing in order to gain; prestige, money or just out of ignorance! Here are five common skiing myths 1.If I use gadget XYZ it will "improve" my skiing! There are no shortcuts in learning how to ski effectively! All the "gadgets" in the world will not promote better skiing if you do not apply effective skiing techniques. Save up your money and take lessons! Take 1 hour every ski day to "practice" on one aspect of your skiing! 2. If I get racing skis or boots , it will help me ski better! No way! In fact if you are intermediate or beginner skier, these skis or boots will NOT help you! Do you learn to drive on a Porsche 911! 3. I am "expert skier" if I ; ski expert runs, ski straight down hill, keep skis together, ski all day, jump off cliff, ski under ropes or dress with "racing" outfits! 4. More DIN value on my bindings, means a better safety margin! A DIN of 18 ( it does exist) does not mean more safety! Keep awya from racing bindings! 5. In cold weather, drink cognac ( or equivalent) to keep warm! Now if you really believe this, you should not be skiing! |
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The beauty of skiing is that you meet people from all walks of life , from all countries and beliefs. I assume you are skiing to enjoy yourself and want to ski in "karma"! You will be sitting with people you normally might never interact with!
Here are 5 topics or subjects you should never but never discuss if you are with men! ( Did you notice the term men in the above title!!!) The five topics for women will come next week! Of course we all know the famous three topics that we must be very careful never to bring up in social situation they are; sex religion and politics!!! Yes I know it is difficult but they are not the three I hope you will not discuss! 1.Skiers are strange lot! They all believe they have best equipement! Some writers have compared skiers to "cult followers". Volkl skiers swear by these skis! Atomic "want-to-be racers" believe they are better than anyone else! Do not put down the "other skier's equipement" 2.Look carefully at ski pass! If you have several skiers with season's pass from local resort, DO NOT critize ski center, it food its parking, its grooming ! Poor form! 3. Men skiers are very special ( no,,, very, very special animals)they all feel they are great skiers!Do not suggest some better technique! Do not comment of skiing ability! Do not even think of suggesting better lines! 4. There is one topic that is even more imlammatory than sex, religion and politics. All skier must at all costs avoid this topic. It is a no win situation for all concerned. It is the dreaded skier/boarder issue! You know the, "we were here first" discussion! Or the ,"they do it this way and we....." Hey let live! A little perspective! In the early 1800's alpine skiing as we know it was considered "unacceptable" and even refused in the Olympics! 5.Do not talk about that "hidden" powder stash with men while riding up lift! You will have 5 men waiting for you to get down run!! Wait till the women versio appears!!! |
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Reading Trencher's reply on essential skiing equipment made me realize that many skiers have no concept of the importance of fluids while skiing.
A university study on survival indicated that we should drink 20 liters a day. That is while we are doing our everyday activities. Imagine while skiing. The idea is not to drink like a camel.....store up water in the morning for the whole day but rather to drink like a bird! A little every hour! I have two metal thermos bottles. In winter I pour tea with honey and bring thermos in a pack sack to the run I ski on! I drink ever 30 minutes. I also have a bar of sucrose not candy. It melts emmediately and provides energy! You can get this at the local pharmacy! In spring, I have two bottles of 50% water and 50% apple juice. One bottle at top and one at bottom of ski run! Every 30 minutes I take "gulp"! I have found it is wortwhile to indicate on label on the outside of bottles, " AIDS DRINK" to avoid any loss of liquid, especially in late spring when everyone is sweating and restaurant is 3 km. away! With regular "drinks" you will ski better, last longer and avoid those "cramps" and "tired" feeling! One suggestion please! Do not leave bottles at slope! At end of day pick up empty bootles since plastic takes years to degenerate! Do not drink alcohol while skiing! |
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Four years to get to his standard!!!
Here is how you can pass his standard! Many years ago ( and I mean many) I met a wonderful women that I planned to marry, but and it was a big BUT,,,she did not ski!!! We are not perfect! I have some small faults.... I thought so I was willing to consider options for her!!!! After one or two ski trips, I realized that I could not teach her! Never mind that I was a university skiing champ. Never mind that I taught at a large ski resort! Never mind that I had a postgraduate degree in teaching "special students"! I now know after 40 years of marriage that there is a mysterious cognitive illness women have when husbands or future husbands try to teach skiing to spouse! So I decided another option since I wanted to marry her and stay sane! I saved up my summer money and for Christmas paid a one week ski trip for her at Gray Rocks. She was to be all alone! Little did she know this was the test to see if she could "live with me"!!! You see Jobster skiing is for me is a life style not just a sport and I wanted her so much to "fit" into this life style. All week I thought of her alone on the ski hill!I did not call her once, since I could not hear the sobs, the begging to come home!!! On Friday I drove up to the ski center, and was surprised to find out she was on the Slalom course competing! Must be a mistake!!!!! Not her! She hates speed!!!!! Well miracles do happen! She got the bug! She won first place in the beginners slalom! What I did not know was she had already reserved next year's course for level 2 and was "checking" out the new SL Atomics! A few weeks later, when she glided softly down from her skiing high, she admitted that the ski instructor told her to do the same things I had asked her to do, "but he was a stranger" and "everyone else in class did it, so I had to do it" Ha!!!!! group pressure is wonderful! Now some 40 years later, yes she still is my wife and we ski together,,,,,,well we go to ski resorts together but she skis her way and her style and I ski my way and style! She has visited Gray Rocks at least 5 times and has improved her skiing level 10 fold but she still will not "take my comments" on her skiing! It is a female cognitive block which I have learnt to accept. I do love to watch her pass those young 40 year old men! I do love to see her smile as she skis now in powder up to her chest! His "standards" forget them. They are his! You make yours, work at them! Really work at them and find pleasure in passing your standards whatever they are! Still skiing and still loving!!! But once in a while as she passes me on the slope she sticks out her tongue at me just as you do! |
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Well skiing season will be here soon and most skiers will make the classic mistake!
What is this mistake? 90% of skiers wait till first snow storm or 24 hours before that trip to St. Anton, then they will take out skis, boots from closet, put in ski bags and discover at ski resort that; -edges are rusty -bindings do not fit those new boots -zippers are stuck -old apple has rotten in pockets -used gum is stuck in pocket -boots hurt. You get message! Here are the five things you should do now, before the snow falls and before that ski trip! 1.Place a drop of 3in1 oil ( oil used for sewing machines ie light grade oil) on all boot buckles and binding articulated parts. 2. Check all ( all means the ones hidden also) binding screws to see if tight. Check all boots screws to see if tight 3. Take bar of soap ( yes bar of soap) and rub on all zippers. If you like,,, spray lubricant ( WD40) will do also. 4. Clean all ski jackets and pants and spray 3M waterproofing! Do this outside since fumes are TOXIC !!! 5. Take out boot liners from boot shell! Dry it well once you have cleaned them! Look carefully at liner where all shell rivets, screws and clips rub against linner. If it is torn ( 90% are torn after one year of use), place duct tape on area! Look very carefully at rear portion of liner where flex adjustmnet screws are! Put at least three layers of duct tape in this area! Now you are ready to go on ski trip!!!! Enjoy while your friends are at the shop getting equipment fixed! |
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Once you become a life long skier you start to "collect" essential equipment! The first which we will not include in this list is the ski bag! You know the famous large bag with thousands of pockets, hundreds of zippers and at least a 25 straps.
Its what is in that bag that tells me what kind of skier you are! A weekender! A ski dilettante A logo carrier or a real skier! Here is the list of the essentials. 1.Chapstick a must in all conditions 2.Gummy block and diamond burr stick 3.Ski glasses with 6 intergeable lenses 4.A sewing set with pins,needles,buttons,thread etc... 5.The last and the one article all serious skiers have in their bag,,,,,-the tool! You know that tool that makes; a knife,three types of screwdrivers,pliers, thorx screw,reamer etc... Sorry have to add a very last one. Do not go away without it! Duct Tape!!!! That is beside the; 3 pairs of ski gloves 4 pairs of socks 3 hats 2 turtle fur collars 2 ski pants 3 underwears 1 Ipod 1 water bottle 1 set of powder ribbons baby powder Goggle spray hidden money bag of nuts,raisens,dried banana,etc... First aid bag knive, fork, spoon Thermos with coffee Extra pole rings mobile boot heaters Just to mention a few "things" you should not have! Notice no; jeans boomer leather jacket rabbit-fur hat skidoo jacket hockey pants Wiskey bootle Anything fluo,,,,,like fluo glasses,pants |
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First let us define what a ski technique is compared to a skiing strategy!
The first, a skiing technique is a set elements, postions,pressures a skier does while skiing. It often is at micro level, hardly noticeable! Skiing strategies are at the macro and focus on "how" you "attack" the run. That is the options you take in going down a run! Allow me to illustrate! Trencher mentionned in a previous message that skiers, going up a lift should observe other skiers coming down a run! Excellent strategy but most beginners do not know what to look for! I often ask skiers to tell me why this or that skier is "good"! very few can tell me what the three most important symptoms of a good skier are! Here are some strategies expert skiers use and these strategies are what you should look for to make you a better skier! 1. Watch expert skiers coming down ski run,regardless of steepness, conditions, traffic they maintain same speed! The first observation you should make,,, is they turn at the edges of runs! Why? Expert skiers know that the "nice, soft" snow is at edges because most skiers stay in middle of run! Beginner skiers are like sheep they follow where everyone is going! Expert skiers pick a line away from crowds and hard used snow. That is an excellent strategy. 2. Watch skiers at a spot where the slope gets steeper! You will pick quickly the beginners vs the expert on the use of effective strategies. The beginner and some intermediates will stop at lip of hard part. Like birds on electric line they will look to left look to right, chirp among themselves on where to go, where the ice is, where they might fall! You get point! Meanwhile the expert skier realizes, much higher up the slope that there is a dip or real drop! The following strategy is used; -do a large turn at very edge of ski run about 3 meters before dip. This allows skier to look at dip while skiing in traverse above dip and see if any skiers have fallen down just over dip, see if any ice in center, pick best line! Once across slope, but still at lip, while turning into lip do a hard edge set to check speed , but never stop because you have the rythm and you want to carry it! ( Do not know what rythm is,,,, once you get it you will know right away)! It does not matter how steep slope is since you have several options open to you; - straight down if dip is short -traverse over steepest section. With modern skis, if well sharpen traversing steep section is very easy since tips and tails "naturally" set into slope! -do several tight SL turns to avoid too much speed. 3, This third skiing strategy seems so self evident yet few skiers pratice it! You are at major ski resort that has a télé ( large box like lift for 20-40 skiers) and skiers all rush to get to cabin! Wait wait! Let others get into cabing. Last in means FIRST out! You will have no one in front! You will have no traffic of skiers trying to put on skis! 4. Observation is a key part of learning skiing strategies! Observe how ski slopes are situated in reference to sun! As you gain experience you will learn that snow quality ( how ski slides on snow) is greatly effected by the sun. You will note expert skiers skiing in the sunny portions of the run in the morning! However as the sun melts snow, expert skiers will migrate to shadow areas because snow is still hard and slippery! 5.This last strategy might save your life! Use it! Watch where ski pros, patrollers, and experts stop! Never at very top when getting off chairs! ( self evident but you still have skiers stopping 2 meters from chair) Never stop at center of slope Never stop below dip or drop Never stop at tight turn. Never but never stop below a section that is icy! ( just to watch some skier ski too fast . hit edges, slide on ice and hit you)! Expert skiers hardly stop in a ski run. They do not ski very, very, very fast but they maintain an even speed during complete run.First they are fit. Second they have rythm ( that rythm concept again) and you want to maintain that "rythm" at all costs! You see the first turn after a stop is the hardest. I will tell you a secret! Expert skiers are lazy! They let skis do all the work! They let the ski terrain "slow" them down! They believe in giving the minimum physical effort for the maximum result! That is why after one week of skiing they are still running up the stairs, still dancing at night and still wanting to ski for another 5 weeks! Apply these strategies and learn more by watching the experts and soon you will learn; -where the powder stashes are -where the best deals are -how to enjoy glades -how to love ice on the slopes -how to protect your skis -how to ski till you are 90! Skiing is a life long learning activity! Look! |
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