Messages posted by : pavelski
|
Tony,
Actually the most most dangerous type is the , "skier ambush layer" ! It is; 4-5 mm. of hard wind compacted snow/ice top layer 10-20 cm. of soft powder under this layer! That top layer will hold skier if,, you do not set a hard edge you ski with skis together you ski "softly" and fast ! It awaits all skiers who panic and turn hard or set an edge hard. Then the trap sets. You fall through this thin layer into the powder void face first! Face then hits ice top layer,,,does a great ski "grafting" à la cheese "grattoir" ! Once is enough to learn to avoid this trap ! Learn to respect nature. Learn to read ski conditions! Learn to survive ! Pavel |
|
|
Ski Racer,
I know what you are talking about. I have a pair of B5s that I Iove for hard spring skiing in the moguls. I have a solution, but you must get a qualified person to do this! I am sure I will have many persons who will write to,,,,,, It is your call! Get a 2" alu bar. Cut bar to fit over binding area holes. Take out bindings and throw them in,,,,, Drill hole patterns from ski on to alu bar and bevel top of screw holes ( very simple) Now using screws from Atomic binding screw in the alu on to ski! You now have a perfect platform to use any ski binding ! Voilà This alu platform is better than plastic plate used! I have skied on Bs for the past 4 years in heavy cement type spring snow over moguls, under moguls,,on top of moguls and NOTHING moves ! Try it with a good machinist,,he /she will know what to do!!! Yes it will make your ski lighter since metrons are hollow in center! Pavel PS Again you are doing this at your risk! |
|
|
Innsbruck,
You are so right about 15 types of powder! You must learn to "identify" each type and ski as a result of you analysis! The "cement" powder is the most dangerous since it is 80% saturated with water and holds like cement! This "powder" is a knee/back problem! I never teach in this type of "snow" ! Too dangerous ! In the other "extreme" you have the Utah soft feathery fluffy flakes. You test this powder by taking a palm full in front of your face. Blow softly and watch individual flakes float to ground! Like soft petals from a flower they dance with the wind ! The supreme powder! The selection of right powder is like finding that "perfect" women/man for your life! Once you have it,,,,,hold it forever! Off to ski powder ! Pavel |
|
|
Helly Hansen has an ad about some skiers!
The ads show a 50ish women ski patroller smiling and caption states, "CONFIDENT WHEN IT MATTERS" [b] That is what we all should strive for. That confidence while skiing! I read a post one of the "stars" of this site which stressed "to be relaxed" while skiing! Seems contradictory skiing fast, hard yet be relaxed yet that word "confidence" is the key ! If you have a chance,,find this ad. Look at this women. Her smile, her posture tells all! She can handle anything on this hill ! That quiet confidence shown on the slopes and not in the bar is the door to effective skiing ! How to get it ? First avoid terrain, runs, conditions which show you how "neophyte" you are! Yes ski challenging slopes,,but pick them to enhance your ego not deflate it! I ski at a ski resort which has a run with a warning that skiers have died there. There is gate to get in ( and soon you will have to sign a legal waiver to,,,) I have seen ,,as you go down men's ego evaporate. Seen crying! Seen men walk down with heads down! What is the point! To say at bar that you "skied" run XYZ ! The point is not that you skied it,,,but HOW you skied it! That quiet confidence comes with mileage in varied terrain and varied conditions! It can not be bought or "hired" ! Second. Keep on learning from others. Ask while on lifts. Listen instead of talking on lifts! Third. Yes every year take at least one tune up lesson,,but tell instructor what you want "specifically"! Fourth. SKI SKI SKI SKI and ski more ! That confident smile the Helly Hansen women has will come! How badly do you want it is up to you! PS,,You will discover that what you have found on the slopes ,,will transfer to your job, your life ! Pavel |
|
|
Read this just for you Lily,
That is your goal..to become a ski instructor,,,soon ! "Many of the people visiting Deer Valley have never skied before, or haven't hit the slopes for a while and want to rediscover their skills. Whatever the case may be, Letitia Lussier is game ( she is 70 years + ). "I've been skiing with some of the families for over 25 years. I'm down to grandkids," Lussier said about the ski instructor job she has held at Deer Valley since the day it opened in 1981. "I feel like part of the family with a lot of them. I look forward to seeing them again and meeting new members." Lussier came to Utah 30 years ago from the Northeast, where she had been working at a resort, and realized her friends were not exaggerating. "Utah, by far, has the best snow," said the +70 year-old, who has skied around the world. "It is one reason why I came here, and it is the reason I stayed here." That snow, coupled with Deer Valley's reputation, brings people to Lussier. And like every other employee at the resort, she takes her job seriously — particularly with people new to the sport. "When I get somebody just learning to ski, no matter their age, I really pour my heart into the lesson," she said. "I want them to be comfortable and fall in love with skiing. It is such a wonderful thing — something you can do your entire life with family and friends or just yourself." The reward is not only for the student. "My favorite is the people who have never skied before. I get to the opportunity to see them learn and develop an appreciation of skiing for what it is," she said. "It is a great reminder about why I love it." Lussier says it is her patience, perhaps fine-tuned through decades as an artist, that helps her resonate with anxious skiers. "I love the challenge of someone intimidated, scared or trying to get over a bad experience," she said. "I enjoy working with them and motivating them to a place where they are ready to take the next step. I feel like I'm able to break things down into tiny increments of what that particular person needs." And that is what the Deer Valley mantra is all about. |
|
|
Tony,
Your dream come true! This will motivate you! I have some; Rosignol S3, Some Fischer Watea 100 and Blizzard Cochise 110,s waiting for you! Just save up your money,,,, One small hint about this issue which I forgot to mention! The selection of the terrain. For first time powder skiers I always select a place which has a "safety zone" ! Let me explain. I have picked out in various ski centers and slope which has powder bowls or open slopes near to groomed runs! If at any time skier feels "over come " or that inner voice is too loud,,,then skier can just traverse to safety,,,that groomed slope! I place the weaker powder skiers closer to groomed slope and stronger skiers away from groomed slope! On next run down I might re place skiers,,,, After 5-6 powder runs,,skiers develope more confidence and that safety zone is "forgotten"! Most powder skiers then ask for more "virgin" snow,,,,I wait for this request and go to steeper,,,more distant zones! No one complains since they asked for the deeper, cleaner softer powder! In psychological terms the technique it is called, "successive approximation" ! Great to condition lab animals as well as human beings ! With great respect to all powder skiers, Pavel |
|
|
Ian is right on!
Yes get local skis,,,but also get good lessons! There are some major differences to using a board so do not transfer some of the skills learned on board to skiing ! Look at bases and edges for quality. Look at binding for range ( men = DIN range of 5-10 women DIN range 2-7 ) Look at length ( to chin for rank beginner,,to nose of intermediate cruiser ) Do Not forget poles NOT too long. Learn how you should choose them! 90% of skiers to "hire" poles get too long poles! Pavel |
|
|
Moogy,
A second message to you and all who buy "older" pre-2000 skis! May I ask you this? Forget money issue here and think of your pleasure! Your skiing goals! I will assume you want to be happy. I will assume you want to ski with ease, with grace and less stress! If you want to "save" money by buying an "older" ski,,then you are causing other issues ( issues of bad habits, happiness, stress) ! Let me explain. Older skis ( often longer, thiner,,,,less side cut ) require you to ski in a different manner! More up/down,,rotate body, unweigh skis on turns! You will develope bad habits which you will have to "forget" on more modern skis! Before you buy "older skis" ( no matter price and prestige level ie they were the top Volkl Red Tigers ) ask yourself, "I am in this for the long haul,,,or just for the holiday "? If the latter,,then get a good pair at ski resort for the week! If former,,then get a good modern pair at best price! Do not sell away your happiness, your skiing experience away ! Buy less wine beer, etc,,but get a good pair of skis! It will make a difference! Pavel |
|