J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by pavelski

Trencher,
You amaze me at your memory!
A small story to illustrate how they are!
After my "tune up" I asked the physician , "what is the life expectancy" of these parts?" A pause, a quizzical look and the answer, " I really do not know" !
So he gives me the names of the engineers/physicians who designed these "wonders" I contact them and after a brief "technical discussion" I send them my ski video made 4 months after "tune up" !

Two weeks later I get a call inviting me down to meet their staff at company's expense. They do not believe I am skiing ( as indicated on video dateline) after new parts!

I discover many things while there.

The unit inserted is a new designed unit for "active persons" ! Runners, joggers, skiers football players etc,,, They have no date on duration,,but my inquiry made them realize that a follow up study should be made!
Also it happens that one of the staff ski,,actually a very good skier! They still do not believe that I skied on the video so they "suggest' I take a holiday with this man ( again at company's expense)!
Had a great week skiing ,while he video taped me!

Now every year I get paid to send them a 30 minute video of me skiing in my 60's tie die hippie shirt, my flower bermuda shorts and bandana!

Knees great! Like when I was 20!

Thanks for asking

For those interested they are; by Stryker,,,, model Triathlon !
You will ski better, faster with more assurance!

Pavel

I have also "sinned",,but what is important is not to sin repeatedly or for the same reason! In short learn form your sins!

For the readers who do not know me,,I tend to be positive in my life so rarely do I focus on the negatives,,,the sins!

I am preparing a more "positive" list which I am sure make many skiers happy!

It is the "must do" list that all serious skiers MUST DO!

So,,,, stay tuned and think ,,,"snow"

Pavel

There are some rules which 90% of serious skiers will accept as "golden" !

Rules that you must respect!

I am sure this list will generate some thought, some help and some changes (in some) !

Enjoy reading my never list!

THE NEVER LIST IN SKIING

Never pay the listed full ski price ( You know that "suggested" price all ski companies give)
Never buy boots without fitting them
Never buy boots without fitting them WITH YOUR SOCKS!
Never buy boots after 5 PM ( think,,,,what happens to feet after 5 PM )
Never go on a ski holiday with persons you have never skied with. ( The famous sailboat criteria)
Never but never drink at bar and then ski.
Never teach your wife to ski. ( yes even if you are an instructor)
Never smoke on a lift ( how about,,,never smoke)
Never go passed your level of competency on slope.
Never ski with a child on your back.
Never but never place your ski boots in general "stow" baggage.
Never ski off cliff, dip, rock, etc,,,,,without looking first ( or at least having a friend look)
Never place skis in cat on top of seats.
Never bring wife to the top of mountain first time (if there is no easy way down)
Never bring husband to the top of mountain first time ( if there is no easy way down)
Never but never ski expert runs first thing in the morning ( even if you think you are expert)
Never buckle boots very very tight IN THE CHALET in the morning.
Never let ski edges to rust
Never take lessons with a group of children
Never but never buy a ski only due to its graphics
Never have a heavy diner meal while skiing
Never ski without sun glasses
Never set your own DIN level
Never buy boots on Ebay
Never wait for "friend" at base on a powder day. ( late is late)
Never ski alone in the woods, off-piste
Never rent (hire) a car without winter tyres
Never borrow a friend's skis without first verifying binding
Never bring ; Ipad, Iphone, video games while on slopes. in chalet, in lift, etc,,,,,
Never tell anyone where the "powder skiing is"
Never but never go under the ropes
Never ski without a tuque ( in winter)
Never,,,oh please never ski in jeans
Never,,,,,,,really never put on( buckle and adjust ) your wife's ski boots.
Never swing your skis on chair lift
Never jump off stationary lift
Never,,,,,but never ski with; two speakers, radio and full volume ! ( yes I saw this)
Never go on 40 skier tram lift first.
Never use your wife's iron to wax skis.
Never bring your skis into a hotel room
Never bring your skis into a chalet
Never bring your skis into a restaurant
Never bring your skis into a church
Never bring your skis into a toilet stall


I am sure others will add to this list. These are just "basic" nevers" that some skiers do not respect !

Now you can add some I am sure!!!!

Oh,,,,forgot the most flagrant!

Never but bring your skis to your wedding ! ( it has been done )

Worst,,,never but never bring your skis on honeymoon unless your wife is Vonn!!

Respectfully,
Pavel

Tino,
Yes of course any skier who skis ICE must tune his/her own skis at 3 degrees beveled!

As far as tight boots,,,just comfy boots that have a 100 flex index will do!

No need to over-tighten buckles. Great skiers even ski with upper buckle loose!

Terence,
Read your text again. "I was trying to slow down,,,,,,by squatting"

There is your problem. Squatting down is the "defensive, panic way to slow down,,,,,by losing control; of skis and falling!

The "flapping" is the first sign that you are soon going to fall since weight is on ski tails and in effect you have NO control of your skis!

If you want to slow down ,,,here is what you must do!

1. Put lots of pressure on front toe. (purest do not "jump" on me please) OF THE DOWN HILL SKI ! Assuming you are not going down the fall line ( Straigth down)!

2. Gradually put more pressure on inside ski edge till your ski goes UPHILL! The really good skier will put pressure on BOTH inside ski edges!

3. Keep pressure and knees always in front!

4. Keep hands in front and stable as if you are carrying a tray!

5. DO NOT ROTATE upper body (like in a hockey stop) !

6. The slope will slow you down!

I suspect that in 90% of cases this can not be done since you want to stop ON A DIME ! Fast!
Nothing will stop you on a dime ( except tree, rock, wall, cliff ) so learn to anticipate, look ahead, ski under control on easier slopes!
Yes I know it takes maturity,,but remember what happened to Icarus!

Hope this helps you!

As far as mechanics,,,I can not in this post get into details. May I suggest you read "Ultimate Skiing" by Ron LeMaster since it is , in my opinion the very best technical book on skiing!

Amazing pictures. Amazing advice.

Pavel

Just had a humbling experience!
My wife is a top level tennis pro who 'initiated' me to tennis!
I am a very very low level "weekend" player!

As she was teaching me "correct" technique ( and I was not "performing well" ),,it dawned on me how similar these two sports are!

Let me illustrate!

1. Softness vs Power ! Typically beginners want to "smash" ball, hit ball hard with large. muscle groups . The effective player uses softness technique to center ball on "sweet" spot! In skiing typically skiers what to go fast hard on steep terrains! Most males do not want to go to beginner slopes!

2. Position. In tennis it is critical to be "ahead' of the ball! Where the ball will be! So it is in skiing. Most skiers think 1 meter ahead,,great skiers think 5-8 meters ahead so when they get to critical spot they are into the turn!

3. Allow "instrument" ( ski or racket) do the work! Seems there must a "get to know period" between racket/ski and player! We must learn the dimensions of the tool, what it can do and how to handle it! I was miserable at this,,since I was using this tool (racket) like a club!

4.Focus area! In tennis it is vital to LOOK AT BALL and not where you think you have hit the ball! In essence you are the "spectator" and the player! Forget the spectator and be the player! The same is true in skiing! Focus on your skiing zone while skiing. Forget those girls/boys on the side! Forget the great view to your left 3 km. away while skiing!

5. Pace. Learn to save energy by using muscles when needed! Rest between shots. Be ready for that return shot! So it is with skiing. Learn to relax when needed. Learn to "pounce" on those edges when needed! If you are constantly "tense",,,,,,pain will set in. Cramps, fatique,,,,

6. The mind is more powerful than you think. While playing tennis,,just thinking , "that corner left shot" seems to drive the ball there! So it is with skiing. Just thinking, "oh oh I am going to fast,,will result in you going on heels" . Just thinking,,,"oh oh I will fall" will make you fall!

Tough learning a new sport! Tough learn a new sport with your wife teaching you!
Must be humble!
Must be quiet
Keep you posted!

Pavel

There seems to be two personas in many "characters" !

The persona they project via their comments, language, attitude and of course the physical social "real" person!

We all "project" how a person looks like, how he/she skis and finally how seriously we take them!

Often in many chat sites participants ask to post pictures to confirm their "projects" of others !

What is important is that we respect each other, are civil and learn for each other's experiences!

Ha,,,the toe curl !

Amazing what a toe can do!

The toe "pressure" ( that BIG toe pressure) is just a indicator of correct ski technique!

Let me explain.

I am keeping this "simple" so please all you technical experts please allow me this "vulgarisation",,,,,

You want the inside tip zone of you ski to bite into the turn. You must THINK "big toe pressure as you turn" What this does is send a message to all your "correct turning muscles" to activate and have pressure; in front of skier, on tip area, inside edge area!

How this is done and in what sequence is another course!

You DO NOT curl toes ( since you will soon get cramps)

You do put pressure on the big toe which then translates into pressure on top of ski boot cuff, pressure from body core and finally from hips! Again how this is done in sequence is another course!

The major concept you must retain is the big toe is your focus point. Your pivot point in your mind!

If you feel pressure on your heels or near foot arch,,,then you are NOT in good turning position!

Hope this helps you !

PS many "expert" level skiers have noted that this toe pressure while doing ski turns gives them the same emotional "feelings" while in another critical social position which also requires much stamina, concentration and yes passion!!!!!