J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by pavelski

Crispyapplepie !
First let me say , " what an imaginative identity you have chosen" ! I am sure your personality reflects this "image" !

I am one of the lucky ones and let me "share" my secret with you !

It is not a question of "jobs", education or SES ! It is a question of a mind set ! Skiing to me is a "life style" not a sport or a "weekend activity" !

As a result I make my lifestyle decisions in reference to this choice! My education was very traditional. My occupation very much like a monk ! No one would even consider my "hidden passions"! You must learn never to tell your employer where you were for those past three months! Most skiers tell everyone where they are going and then post pictures even videos for all to see ! Soon you are perceived as "not company material" ! Not married to agency!

If you are good at what you do people, companies, governments will be flexible!

In my professional life no one knows about my passion,,,,,no addiction! What addiction it is ! All they know is that between October and May I am not available ! After some years you acquire contacts ! Skiers who need someone to take care of their 15 room chalet! Ski companies that need someone to try their prototypes and give a honest educated evaluation!

Once you make the choice,,,then strange "events" occur ! You meet people who need someone to; host a group of Japanese skiers, evaluate potential ski resorts or skis. Once you demonstrate that you can "communicate" effectively, are dependable and fit ,,,,,,,doors open !

I am now guiding high level skiers to "skier shangrilas" because I convinced a ski tour owner that there are people who will pay to ski in spots not well know to 90% of the skiing world!

Want to enter into this world ?

Try this.

Go to any ski resort anywhere in the world. Get to ski resort well before the crowds, before the tourists and if you look carefully you will note in some corner 10-30 skiers joking, laughing, smiling! They are the ski gypsies of the world!
If they accept you, they will find you a bed for free, a local job for a season and even a possible house/chalet to buy !

You must come early,,,when coffee is just being made, when the patrollers are getting dressed, when the parking lot is empty and the sun is just rising !

Paul Bryan,
Bravo on your "success" and happiness ! One more step up to "skiing heaven" !

May I make one point ?

You have to be very very careful when using World Cup skiers as "models" for correct or desired skiing styles and techniques !

They have one goal- to get to bottom as fast as possible!
They will do anything ( well nearly anything to achieve this ) !

Our goals as recreational skiers is above all to enjoy skiing and become more effective skiers!

World Cup skiers do amazing "techniques" some not very orthodox. Few skiers can ski as World Cup in the SL courses at the speeds and steepness !

Take those World Cup skiers and watch them ski in powder snow and you will note a "different" technique !

Practice "adapting" your technique to the skiing context ! An effective skiers varies his technique based on snow conditions, slope inclination, terrain variation and other parameters!

Yes you have made a "breakthrough"! Keep on trying now other ways to ski on other types of terrain ! That is the beauty of skiing,,,,you never stop learning !

Trencher,

and I tough I was the only one with;
son who has a "favorite" jacket
wife who insisted on wearing "her" Spring jacket and NOT winter jacket
etc,,,
Yes as always you are so "on the mark" Trencher !

Happy wife = happy life

Pavel

RossyHead,

Yes it seems so silly, so simple just putting on ski jacket, but then consider;
What ski jacket you wear on what conditions
What polar fleece vest goes better with what jacket
What jacket goes with what pants?

In powder you do not want to have a jacket that has too much insulation since you tend to "generate" a great deal of heat !

In cold windy days you want to choose a longer warmer ski jacket with high collar !

Simple,,,,until you have choices!!!!

Pavel

Terrance,
I was thinking thinking of you while I was testing a new ski!
Why ?

Well these skis had a serious "rocker" at tip and I tried to put major pressure on tips to no avail! They would "flap...flap """ !! Flapping so badly that my skier friends on chairlift would joke by shouting to me, " Pavel,,you are sitting back " or just "FLAP FLAP FLAP " !

Very embarrassing Terrance !

Some skis just flap "naturally" !!!

Another "procedure" to practice without instructor !

Seems simple just putting on ski jacket,,but there are some important areas to consider!

One of these is the wrist area since the mating between gloves and ski jacket often is a problem!

Look at your gloves and jacket sleeve where gloves will meet! Which is wider ?
Do you place gloves OVER jacket sleeve or place jacket sleeve OVER gloves ?

Try it at home !

With some of my jackets,,I can insert glove INTO sleeve and then via velcro close sleeve over glove !

To me that is the best option since no snow or cold air can get in !

Pavel

I forgot one great item which I discovered from my wife !

Many tennis players wear low thin socks which just go above shoe level!

Rather than wear a thick sock,,I will put on such a "tennis" sock first,,then another thin silk type sock !

This has two functions.
1. helps reduce friction places ( that is rubbing between sock and liner! In my case I often get red sore spots just below ankle after 5-7 days of heavy skiing )

2. Greater warmth with no performance reduction.

Hope this helps you.
Pavel

Bandit has it all the way !
Just follow her advice !