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J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Pavelliam

Messages posted by : Pavelliam

Skidding the end of my turns
Started by User in Ski Technique, 13 Replies
Read from snowplow to,,,,,string
Good ski instruction dvd
Started by User in Ski Technique, 3 Replies
The best video is of yourself.
Take friend with cam on a quiet day and film you on easy intermediate and expert runs. You will see errors you are making as the skiing gets more difficult.

Skiing has some basic rules which must be respected.Rather than a video may I suggest the very best book on modern skiing. The Athletic Skier by Warren Witherell! If you put in practice his few hints you will be an expert skier!

Lets us start from base.
Check skis, type and condition
Check boots. flex( soft)
Check ski tune ( wax,edges at 1degree base 2 degree side0
check ski/ binding position

If after all this you are correct, read book!!
From Snow Plow to Parallel
Started by User in Ski Technique, 4 Replies
In skiing there is two important aspects. Ski technique and ski strategy!
Ski tecnique is what the insructor teaches
position of hands
feet pressure
edge set
body position

What is not taught is ski strategy.
Allow me to give you one hint!
Strategy 1 Use the hill for your speed control. Imagine rather than going down straight go across slope ( Yes I know most male skiers feel that skiing is going down straight down). You control the spedd by how long you keep turning.
So;
if you keep turn ( set edge) a long time you will end up going up the hil. Try it
if you keep turn short, you will keep speed.
The first is called a Giant Slalom turn
The second is called a slalom turn

Play with this. Try long turns. Then short turns. Soon you will "feel" the relation between speed and radius of your turn!
Long turns= slower short turns= faster.

The beauty to skiing is that there are many many such strategies you will learn as you progress! Watch expert skiers! Follow expert skiers ( when you will be able)! They pick the best line!

One hint
Why do expert skiers turn on the edges of the ski run and not in the center!

Will give you answer in a few weeks!
best way to get better.
Started by User in Ski Technique, 4 Replies
Seearby has a point, however skiing alot if you are making the same mistakes will not improve your skiing.
You will become the "forever intermediate"

Take lessons with same instructor every month. Focus on ONE aspect of skiing!

There are three basic mistakes 90% of skiers make.
1. Leaning back too much. Pressure should at all times ( experts will disagree) be on big toe.
2. Keeping hands in front. Never but never have your arms behind body. We call it the "late" arm turn!

3.Most men force the ski to turn" They muscle their skis. The symptom is aching thighs at 10 AM. sore back and red spoits om shins.
Let ski do work for you! How? Take lessons! You can do it the hard way and ski your way or the easy way! Lessons!

PS
Forgot the very populat error that all beginners do!
Do not look at your ski tips!
Toooooooooooooo Fast
Started by User in Ski Technique, 6 Replies
All of the above are excellent suggestions.
May I add one more.

Proficient skiing starts with the brain!
Do not ski "the expert runs" until you are ready to "accept" the speed!
It may sound illogical to you now but trust me, as you pick up more speed, your movements must be more precise and slower, finer more discrete!
You must anticipate well ahead what to do.
You have not mastered it yet!
Yes I know it thrills you to be on the edge but if you do not practice your technique you will hurt yourself.
You do not learn to drive a car on a Grand Pix race course!
Hooking or grabbing
Started by User in Ski Technique, 3 Replies
You must address several issues.
Ski tuning
Do you tune your own skis. I suspect not since you would know what causes this problem. 99% of skiers "det-tune" the tips and tails of skis to avoid this "grabbing" you feel!

Ski technique
A proficient skier does not skid or slide sideways but stays on inside edge and goes into a "controlled" turn. You might have to work on an easy slope before you go to expert level slopes.

Boots
There may be some free play in your boots and as you "lean back" the play affects your ski!

Solution
First check ski edges. Do not look at them rather "feel" them with your index finger. Feel if tips are "rounded" or sharp. They should be round.

Skli easier slopes a practice doing a perfect controlled turn. If successful pick up speed and increase slope level. Keep doing perfect turns ( no sliding sideways, not skidds) If you want to pick out a "poor skier" ineffective it is by focussing on the "windshield wiper" turns. A no no!!!

Have fun