J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Trencher

Take an old used ski bag with you so it doesn't look like you have new skis coming back :wink:

Uphill/downhill skis are such confusing terms, especially when carving. Much better to talk about outside/inside skis.

There are lot's of videos on you tube, some very good. The hard part for some skier is not to steer the skis but to let them run. Later on there are steering/rotary/weighting movements, but initially, a quiet neutral body is good. Go to very easy slopes to learn and start with one turn at a time. Allow the turn to continue uphill to kill your speed. Try not to overly lean your body into the turn. This will put too much weight on the inside ski. Just let your legs do the leaning part.

One drill I really like is, on almost flat trails make gentle shallow arcs back and forth. Start each turn by tipping the inside ski, first. As it starts to catch and turn, transfer your weight to the outside ski. Again, don't lean.

I think smaller radius skis with about a 12M radius are best to learn carving on, as this allows for better speed control.

Dave Mac wrote:Goodness me Trencher, do you have a circulation issue? - )

Windy evening sessions at -30, you don't need any circulation problems to get cold. I've also been stuck on a lift for 30mins in those conditions. That's when you really appreciate being prepared (or wish you had been).

At those temps I normally use an insulated jacket and pants. Underneath I wear, Bottom - micro-fleece thermals and and regular fleece pants over (sometimes silk or wool light weight long johns under those). Top - I wear a thermal turtle neck, a micro fleece top, and a soft shell jacket, or heavy fleece (sometimes a quilted jacket).

Boot gloves are great and really help. Charcoal toe warmers work very well, and charcoal hand warmers too. I have even used the hand warmers in interior mesh pockets of jackets in extreme conditions. A thin micro-fleece balaclava is good to make sure you have no exposed skin.

So much depends on the other weather factors. If the sun is out, or if it's dull and overcast, and especially the wind. Even though there doesn't seem to be any humidity, it can also affect how cold you feel.

I prefer a clear lens for flat light. They are UV400 and still protect your eyes.

Travel pillows and fleece blankets for when you need a couple of hours sleep.

Fresh cream apple turnovers for me please :P