Messages posted by : pavelski
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I have been skiing for some years so I thought I had seen it all!
Then one more comes up ! This happened to me yesterday ! I had several pairs of ski boots laying around and my son "suggested" I sell a pair to his friend ! I did ! I spend two hours fitting him, installing a new liner, explaining how each buckle works and how to enter ski boots ! Off he goes happy to ski with his young son the next day ! At 10 AM I get a frantic call, "Pavel help,,,I can't get into the boots" I even took off my socks and tried to get into them with bare feet " HELP !!! I calmed him down and asked to explain all he did AFTER he left my home! ( Ho,,,,,,I must tell you all that it was -30c at night ) He tells me, "well I put boots in car, got all my ski material ready and picked up my boy" Silence follows,,,,I ask, "did you leave boots in car " ? My heart sank as I heard the reply, "well of course I left them in the car ready to ski " My major blunder 1. I assumed a beginner would know to NEVER LEAVE SKI BOOTS IN COLD conditions!!!! There are hundreds of stories about what skiers will do to protect their boots! The most famous is Stenmark who could get any boots he wanted as he was winning major races,,but chose to ski on his 5year old boots ! I told the father to go back home,,,place his boots near a hot air source and watch a ski movie with son! The next day I met them at ski center,,again showed him how to put on ski boots! My reward for all that was to see his 9 year old son grinning from ear to ear as his father was told how to put ski boots on ! I just winked at boy ! We are now friends for life! Please everyone in the ski world,,,a warm ski boot is like a great big hug when you need it, it is like a cool sip on a hot hot summer, it is the beginning of a great ski day,,,,or torture ! Now wait for the next boot blunder coming up ! Pavel |
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While soaking in my bath afer a great day skiing I was reading a ski magazine!
May I quote, " While waiting in line for a Warren Miller movie ticket, a women ahead asked her date, "Do you really think you can just sit for two hours and watch this skiing" ? I could see the gears grinding in his head ,,,,waiting for a reply ! He was looking for the proper reponse while his date interrupted his stony silence with an even more stonier comment,,,,,,,"I"ll take that look as a YES " ! ( note the YES with a tone )!!!! To that nameless dude ahead of the line: I hope this was your first date and your last! Pearls of wisdom! Years of ski trip guilt erased! Live to ski,,,,,ski to live Respectfullt to all non-skiers Pavel |
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Merryski,
With one 15 minute tune ,,I can make the skis identical for selling! There is no "objective" reason to many issues we deal in life. We just do it because we feel it makes our lives more pleasurable! Do as you please! Respectfully, Pavel |
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The only ski company that has a left and right (right off the factory) is Elan ! Each ski has a specific tip /edge configuration.
Kastle many years ago also had a left /right ski with varied edge and construction! 99% of skis now are not indicated as left or right. However, if you want to personalize tune your skis then you should indicate L or R. I do this to all my skis for two reasons. 1. Increased performance 2. Increased wear,,that is I keep my skis for a longer time than most skiers! 1. Increased Performance I tune my skis with the inside edges much more aggressively that the outside edge since I for me and the type of skiing I do I want my skis to "bite" instantaneously on all conditions ! I also tune my skis on every trip. At end of one ski season ,,I change labels so right ski become left ski for next season! As a result I always have lots of edge left after 4-5 years on a ski! That is my second reason to label my skis! When I sell my skis they are still in great shape ! One or twice in a season ,,by chance I make a mistake and ski on "wrong" ski ! I feel it after one or two runs! I have no idea how I "feel this" but I do ! All my powder skis are also Left/right since I place my powder ribbon on the outside section of the rear brake,,thus it does no interfer with my skiing ! That is just me! Each skier should decide for themselves! |
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Snapss,
That is a "badge" of a "pro" those marks on that tail end of the binding! Wear them with pride! Other indications that you really are a ski pro ? -cut marks on inside ski trouser leg -duct tape on thumb od ski gloves -knots at elastic string for powder jackets -Left / right marks on skis -and so on,,,, Ski on with pride ! Pavel |
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Philip,
If you promise not to tell wife,,,,I sneak up to attic and sleep with my new powder skis ! Pavel |
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Buying "fans" for goggles !
I forgot to answer Allys comment about fans! Here is my "experience" on issue ! I have bought goggles with build in fans. I have used a unit just this last month which is inserted INTO inside of goggles! Think about it,,you have already "internal built in fan" ! That wind which you create when skiing! The solution is to learn how to channel it. How to use it for your benefit! First try the "lifting" procedure first ( both hands) ! Then try the burning holes on sides where wind vortex can enter! In my opinion it is money wasted ! Pavel |
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Ha,,the fog issue !
First always get a DOUBLE layered lense system ! More important that the fancy graphics, fancy lenses that make you look like a "space warrior" is the double lense type! To avoid fogging inside lenses you must understand why this occurs! Think of your windows at home on a cold cold day! If you do not have a double paned window ( thermo glass) you will note fog/ice forming at bottom of inner window! It has to do with saturation from cold air to warm air! We all know that in air there is more or less water vapor. A radical change from one zone to another will cause this vapor to "condense" ! Dave Mac will provide a more learned explanation. Suffice to say that you must avoid this radical change from outside googles and inside goggles ! That is you do not want to make your face too hot ( forehead, nose, eyes ) since it will create a hot inner goggle medium ! Here are some tips on how to always avoid having foggy lenses, 1.Do not over dress so that you do not over heat. 2. Never put on goggles inside chalet,,wait till you are out! (that hot inside air in chalet will assist in the fogging process) 3.Now read this hint very carefully and do this regularly ! ( of course practice at home first). While going up chair or at top of ski run,,,take the goggles with both hands on the sides ( where straps insert on froma). Without touching lenses,,,pump whole unit back and forth 3-5 times away from face. What this does is allow colder air to enter INSIDE units thus lowering temperature,,ie avoiding fog! I do this every third time on chair! 4. I also burn two tiny holes on the side foam of the units. Just heat up a small Philips screwdriver red,,then slowly insert carefully into foam! All mu powder ski googles have these holes since then to sweat ( heat up ) more while skiing in powder ! You will have to calibrate how many holes you need by first placing just two holes. Ski and see what happens. I have four holes in most of my lenses! 5. NASA many years ago developed a product for their space vessels ( yes they have fogging issues also ) In my area it sells as RAINEX ! It is a spray for car windshields! I have contacted all the goggle companies and all tell me it is safe to use. ( never is any ammonia based sprays on lenses)! It creates a microscopic film INSIDE goggles which repels moisture droplets! It works ! 6. Finally stop thinking about the beach,,summer, sun etc,,,,it excites you to much,,and your body begins the "heat up " ! Hope this helps you all ! Here is another example on why you should not buying cheap!!! Get effective goggles,,then if they match your helmet, jacket, blush on,,,, fine ,,but not the other way around! Your safety is more important that your looks !!! Form always follows function ! |
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