J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by pavelski

Smokey Barr,

Learning to ski is as much a physical activity as a mental one !

Let me explain.

Your attitude, your psychological state of mind is very very important in skiing. Some would say it is the key element ( just read Dr. Taylor's blog on skiing) !

Try this on your next trip.

Promise yourself to slow down and enjoy sights 5 meters ahead and to side! Make a conscious effort to take in beautiful view. Great skiers ahead. Wonderful snow fields, beautiful valley ahead,,etc ( notice all positive elements)!
Practice to consciously forget skis ( your unconscious mind,,,it does exist will take over ) Do you think to breath, to walk, too sit ? No you do all those "activities" without thinking! Well most persons do !

That is what you want to learn. To let brain "feel" your skis then to adjust while you enjoy the sights! Trust me one day you will ski all day and at the end of the day, you will say to yourself, "amazing,,Pavel was right, I skied all day and did not look at skis,,just the beautiful sights " !

It will happen !

Then you will ski !

Pavel

The question should be,,,,,"is ,,,,,,,too old to be happy, free, fit and be Icarus "?

Answer : Never too old !

Great saying by Warren Miller, "Once you are over the hill,,,you go faster "

Merry Christmas all !

Enjoy life, youth and the mountains!

Respectfully,
Pavel

Two books come to mind.

1. Harald Harb's, "Essentials of skiing" see You Tube and also his DVD videos

2. A more technical, more "in depth" book which many ski instructor associationjs use as basis to their "work books" is "Ultimate Skiing" by Ron LeMaster !

Yes the latter appears to be race oriented but for many skiers it provides the very best.

Not for beginners!

Pavel

Very few skiers ever have this done !
Yet it is the "cornerstone" of effective skiing!

Just had a friend who races at the "masters" level come to have his new boot "personalized" ! These boots were given to him by a Fischer ski rep.

First thing we did is have him in shorts, note his mid point on his knees ( at patella) and drop a plumb line on to boots!

This man had been racing for 5 years never had this done and now discovered that his right leg ( knee ) were way off alignment towards lateral side. Thus plumb indicator was 15mm to outside of boot mid line!

In essence he was skiing with more pressure to outside edge of right skis!

If you are a top level skier and getting new boots ( or have old boots) verify your knee/boot alignment before ski season begins !

It will make a difference!

Happy skiing!

Pavel

A proposition you ( +70 ) can not refuse !

If you can sneak away from your family.

If you can take one week to learn how to go to heaven, I have this proposition !

I will provide all ski material. Skis, boots, jacket, ski pants and even instruction for free to anyone who has never skied ! Just contact me via PM!

These are not skis and boots for "hire", but new ski material ( 2013 edition )I can get from ski companies !

I want to make a video to show how someone fit can begin skiing and enjoy it after one week !

It there a rare person out there ??

Pavel

ANDY
Excellent point !

Yes older skiers need another type of teaching approach.

If you look at various national ski instructors manuals..you will find much on teaching children. In fact many have a chapter or two on teaching children. Then look up "older new skiers" ! Silence !

Yet in 2020 most industrial nations will have an "inverted" population pyramide,, with the mean age in the +55 range !

You are right walking well before ski season is one of the very best activities, swimming also and finally I recommend a "balance board" which costs less than $15 US to make ! Great for balance and fine muscle development! !

Very special people who begin at 80 to ski!
Do you know what I hear the most after just 1 day ?

"I should have begun earlier" is the remark ( with a great smile and content face )!!!

Think snow !

Pavel

Too old for what ?

Just initiated a 85 year old women to skiing!

She was great and as I was skiing with her ,,I thought of this site and question posted.

To all "older persons" wishing to skis. Here are some tips !
1. Make sure you are fit so do exercises before skiing. Flexibility is key.
2. Do not buy skiing equipment but do get great advice and good boots.
3. Do not go first time with friends or family. Please do not get "help" lessons from children family or friends! Insist on this.
4. Get older ski instructor in the +60 year old range ( yes there are some )
5. Lear first the basics like; getting into boots, getting into bindings, getting on lift, getting ski pants off (you will understand when it happens), getting off chair ( older new new skiers should never go on t-bar or Poma lifts )
6. Stop often and enjoy view and experience. The slide down is but half the fun. Watch the skiers coming down is also fun.
7. Drink warm, liquids every 2 hours.
8. On first day do do not do more that 2 hours. You will discover small muscles you thought had "disappeared" !
9.You will get better with positive attitude.
10. You will discover your lost youth. Lost freedom and independence and many new friends ( just keep away from the younger 40ish crowd. They will be jealous of your skiing ability very soon )


One final hint! Do not listen to your children. Keep on skiing. Contact me via PM and I will send you literature indicating a; longer life, a more fruitful life, a happier life on slopes.

Oh,,,,another "hint" ! If you are truly in the "mature" range Skiing is free in many resorts ( not advertised but ask ). Example one of the most "prestige" ski resorts called Snowbird past a certain age you get a season's pass FREE !!! ( sorry Dave you will have to wait at least another year )! As far as Dave Mac well his pass is waiting for him !

Respectfully,
Pavel

First the glass/google issue.

Both are needed as note by others.
Googles in most winter days with snow /fog/mist etc,,, I have three types;
yellow for dark stormy days Bollé
brown/amber for storms with lots of snow and "white out" Oakley
Varied lense density by Rossignol ( lense changes based on sun )

In spring or pure sun days sunglasses is my pick ( I also wear lenses). The trick is to get wrap around plastic type glasses. Forget style,,function is key element! If you can get style and functionality great!

Now as far as "Tan Lines" ! We call it the "raccoon look" ! In my part of the world that is a much desired look ! It projects an image, gives a statement to other skiers ( the others do not matter ) !

It says, " I skied for two three weeks in glaciers, heli ski or high level mountains while you were in dark foggy misty city !

It is "mandatory" to smile at all times with this look! No talking is needed. The look tells all !

In short get both !
Pavel