Messages posted by : pavelski
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Tony,
You are right on the mark for many reasons. First no child should go down "without" a guide. A parent or instructor to find best path ! The child then focuses on the back of the leader and not on where to go (often straight) Second the child is doing all the "mechanics" which must be "forgotten" soon since they are all not allowing ski to flow, ,,,,,,to the slide on snow with grace ! The greatest harm is "mental" since child is fighting speed and slope rather than be comfortable in skiing ( not braking) slowly and using hill geometry to slow down ! A very valuable skill to learn early! By the way,,I do snowplow sometimes, but is is done in specific context, for a specific reason! It is never done all the way down a slope! My knees could not stand it ! Why begin skiing with all the hard skills like snow plowing! It is so much easier to let skis do all the work. You just have to learn to "suggest to them where to go" . It is like a marriage. Trying to "resist the force of love" will just cause weak knees, sore back, very very tired muscles! It is best to suggest with style, patience and form ! As it is said, "resistance is futile" ! |
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Wish to share with you a unique skiing experience.
In this world of video this and that now we have a unique experience for skiers! Throw away those ideas of small, low tech ski video games you have all seen,,what is coming is the full bore "aviation level" ski stimulations,,,,ooops I meant ski simulation experience! I just tested a such unit. I must admit I was initially negative to such "experiences" ! I like to real stuff! I believed in the past that to learn to ski,,well you must get on skis on the slope. No amount of viewing YOU TUBE or watching Warren Miller movies will make you a skier! I was wrong! For two weeks now I have watched as they set up a full room, full screen ( wall size) ski simulator unit! Then I tried it! Then I watched skiers I knew for 3-5 years come and learn indoors with a qualified instructor! I did not tell the instructor the skiing level of each skier. I did not tell the instructor the "particular" skiing problems each skier had! It took an initial 15-20 minutes for each person to "learn" how machine works. Then after a rest they began to "ski" with an instructor just in front of them! In every case the "problems came out,,,,,in every case the instructor identified the issue and solved it ! I am "learning " how to set the parameters of this "system" since it has amazing possibilities. Let me give you an example. Many skiers have a lateral problem. Left side is better that right. Right knee is stronger that left knee etc,, The system has many many sensors all over the unit and one of the sensors gives out real time readings of the edge set pressure on each turn while you ski! In an instant you can read out the values on left side turns and right side turns! The system is also "skier adaptive" that is as you get better and better,,it "adjusts" the level of difficulty in terms of; speed, quality of snow ( soft-ice). to terrain,,,etc,,,, It will never replace the skiing experience,,but as far as a pedagogical tool it is far far superior that "on snow teaching" ! No stress about other skiers. No stress about hitting this tree, rock, husband watching ( with attitude)! I am preparing a video for my group so they will be better skiers this season ! I am also taking two similar skiers ; one will take ski learning sessions on slope ( traditional ) and other will take 2 sessions per week for two months! The independent skier evaluators will judge both! Will give you all results! PS I am not in any way associated with this company. I have no interests or shares on the company making this ski simulation so I feel free to tell you all,,,,it is the future of ski teaching! I am sure you are all wondering,,,It is call Sky Tech ! |
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This Austrian approach in Vimeo best explains my point.http://vimeo.com/7571404
A gradual introduction to effective skiing is in my view better that using snow plow approach. Yes Dave Mac you can "widden the stance during a turn ( called stem christie,,in my day ),,but you ask the student to return to skis in a parallel position! Soon the widden skis during turn will become more fluid, more parallel and integrated into skiing motion! Yes plow is used to rescue skier. The back skier , whose function is to be the brake man and slow down sled! Used this approach often in steep terrain when there is a 200lbs man in sled ! Specific context,,specific skill! I was speaking in the teaching context Bandit! My point is that teaching plowing will cause later issues to intermediate level skiers, Just watch this winter as an intermediate skier approaches a "stressful" section ! Back to snow plow !!!! Rather that effect a better technique such are riding out ice patch, or turn out of harm's way ! Just watch and you will see the results of teaching snowplow ! Just my opinion ! |
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Just read a post about a "snowplow queen" !
That term "snowplow" causes shivers up my spine! That term should be banished from all skiing literature. In fact that "practice" ( notice I did not use that technique) should never be taught ! Why ? Just watch a child or rank beginner learning to ski,,,,,the snow plow is exactly what you are NOT supposed to do when skiing! That position is never used for effective skiing! It is the torture position and worst after several months skiers have difficulty to change to "modern" style ! I have taught young 5 year old with NO snow plow ! Really ! With modern skis no one should snow plow. It hurts thighs, makes you a tentative skier and worst it teaches you to lean back when speed picks up! Please all beginners, learn on a easy easy soft long slope how to carve /turn your skis! You will progress so much more. You will not have skiing mistakes which will linger on! It is like driving a car with brakes on. Learn to use the slope to slow you down with soft easy carving turns uphill! Hope this helps you! Pavel |
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I have a confession to you all.
I have to travel to distant countries where there is little snow and much turmoil ! Internet is "monitored" so I sneak unto this site in my quiet moments! Like you I rate this site as one of the top three in the cyber world due to; -well administered site -smart, smart and polite skiers -excellent blend of context and marketing! I happen to be a fanatic skier, so am involved in the ski business ( not to make money) but to discover new experience ! Let me share one with you I just had ! A local ski shop decided to introduce in shop a ski simulation ( Dave Mac,,,not a ski stimulation) system ! The technicians were all from Russia thus could not speak the local dialect ! Since I speak Russian I acted as translator on one condition. I had to try unit first ! The future of skiing with this "cyber" world is here ! Not like true skiing, but you can get amazing ski feel,,before the ski season begins! If you want to know how ski boots with flex index of 130 feel go on machine for 15 minutes, then change to boots with a flex of 100 ! You will know right away! The unit I tested also had 3D glasses! All that was missing was the cold wind, some snowflakes and that smell!!!!! The unit is called Sky tech! Now if I can only find a rich skier to allow me to install it in his home !!! PS If any of you come over the pond,,,please contact me via PM would love to let you try some FATS (powder skis). Have 10 pair which I am testing ! Finally, I am preparing another Pavel Quiz Contest which will be unique and very challenging since prize will be a $100 Swix waxing iron donated from the company ! Prepare ! |
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As Trencher and AndyHull so well putt,,,,,the answer comes back to you, your needs and expectations !
What level skier are you ? What kind of skiing do you do ? Where do you ski ? How much are you willing to spend ? No skier is going to give you the "secret" answer ! Selecting a ski is a personal choice ! Try them on slope ! Pavel |
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MattSki_score,
No No you are not the "ultimate" ski addict ! Try this ! Today I hauled four truck loads of snow in front of my friend's travel agency ! Then we had media take pictures of children going down the "hill" When everyone left,,,I made a jump and,,,,,,,, ( landed in grass) I am now nursing a sore rear ! Please do not tell wife why I am limping ! I have accepted that I am not same in the APA Standards Guidelines ! Dave,,that reduced time,,,make it 50% next year! Then you can come and ski for free with me ( I own you that at least after all the help you did ) As far as Dave Mac,,,well no need to invite you since invitation was already done at ski show ! Just to 'entice you" have a new pair of Salomon Czars waiting for you,,,,,,, Guiding a group of +60 male skiers to Utah for two weeks soon. Place for one more if,,,,,,, Stop looking at ski cams,,,,get on skis,,,,,,,,!! Respectfully, Pavel |
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What if you felt the front of your skis startinh to "flap"?
Started by User in Ski Technique, 26 Replies |
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Back to this "flapping problem" !
You all know the context . The ski tips "vibrating" or flapping about as you pick up speed ! Just finished testing some 2012 "rockers". That is,,,,,, skis with tip area "raised" at different heights and lengths ( seems all ski companies are experimenting with this design) ! Great for soft powder type snow, but when you get to hard groomed slopes,,this "flapping" becomes very evident,,,even when you put pressure on tips! If you follow the ski length "suggestions" of some ski companies, you will see some "strange sights! Skiers with short short skis and then some ( with same body type) with long long skis! In my case I ski 175 cm most of the time in all sorts of conditions. Using Rossi charts I am up to 195 cm. based on my ability level, type of snow and type of skis! You will see much flapping about this season ( and it will not be in the bar ) ! Enjoy the sights! PS Sorry Rossi still staying at the 175-185 cm. range Even in Alaskan powder ! Pavel |
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