J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by pavelski

Interesting event happened this winter ski season which demonstrated how small this world is!

I was staying in a small hotel far far away from touristy type hotels, when I heard "strange" English accents! I could hardly understand them. Yes they had "local" terms, but their way of communicating,,,,

Casually I made my way to a group of young british skiers sitting just 5 tables away! I listened to their enthusiastic comments about "how different" this and that was,,,,

It was evident that one of the older skiers was a "guide/chaperone/parent and so ( of course by chance) I offered to help them discover "new sensations on skis" !
Very soon we were talking about this site. Its informative nature and of course the "characters" who are the pillars of the site!
Ho,,,,how I wish I had my tape recorder or my video camera. You see adolescence who are so "plugged into" this cyber space have no idea how revealing they are!

All I can say is you are "stars" to many. To some it is like watching a soap TV program!
Where does cyber space begin and reality end,,,,,,at strange moment we were talking about Dave Mac,,,,the Bandit,,,,then Tony and many more! Strange how small this world has become!

Keep up the great work Dave ( site guru) your site has not only great impact on the slopes,,but also socially!

Finally, if that group remembers the breakfast with "that old man" be careful what you say in public since the very person you speaking about,,just might be in front of you!

Small place this world !

Respectfully,
Pavel

Flapping!

Interesting word in the context of skiing! Then I thought more. It is a great word for this reason!

In my country,,"flapping" means talking too much, too loud, about nothing"

The greatest compliment you can give a skier is to say, "you are a quiet skier" ! So it is socially!

Notice how in a social group there is always one who "flaps" ! It is the quiet one who you should listen to! So it is with skiing! No useless motion! No loud gestures to gain attention!

In short "flapping" is a great sign of "poor skiing" !

Why does it happen!

You are leaning back too much ob tails,,,because you are skiing too fast!
Slow down. Go to easier slopes and learn how to ski "softly, quietly, with pleasure"

Flapping,,,,great word to use!!!!

Pavel

Dave Mac,
You are my kind of skier! We really must ski together! Only if you promise to try some new Fischers for next year!

As far as those boots,,,,,I understand since I have same issues! my trick is to wait for shell to warm up. To sprinkle the inner liners with some Dr. Schol's foot powder and wear thin thin socks! I have discovered that there is no need for special thick ski socks!

I am guiding some mature groups ( one special trip is called "Never Summer Group" ) ! You must be 60+ , ski in a Tie Die 60's shirt, Shorts and ski ALL day ! Yes it will be in April ! Yes you are invited!
Yes I will provide skis and boots !
Yes I will video tape you!
Yes I will have some Coronas hidden in a cold stream for you!

I will send you a picture to entice you,,if you send me your latest email!

PS I am sure the renovations for your kids are over so,,,,,,no excuses this time!

Respectfully,
Pavel

I did forget ONE major point!

There are two contexts in regards to ice and skiing!

The first is ice all around from top to bottom! From one side of slope to other side! In short it is like a skating rink!
Strange to say, but this is the easiest and less dangerous condition to ski on! It is what I love since the conditions are "consistent" ! All you need is "soft" edging and let the skis fly! Great soaring !
The most dangerous elements are the flying bodies !!!!! Just be ahead of them!

The really dangerous context is in varied snow/ice conditions! This is where you MUST learn to read slope and understand how skiers think and ski!

Ice spots do not happen by chance! They appear often due to skiers turning all at same spot,,or stopping at same spot! You must learn to locate these dangerous spots!

You will find them ;
-near sharp turns
-near steeper dips on slope
-at bottom of steeper sections
-at end of a long straight slope ( where "hackers" have picked up speed,,,then realized,,oh,,,,,)
-near narrow sections of slope ( usually at left since most skiers use dominant right leg to turn left in an emergency!
-near rocks
- at the bottom just before you turn to get on lift

I have in my mind a "file" of dangerous sections for every ski resort I skied! I come back after 5 years and still find THAT icy section !!!!

Hope this helps you get over your ICE neurosis!

Pavel

Excellent choice!

Please contact the canadian ski instructors alliance. (see site) for possible workshops in early season!
most serious Canadian certification is done in late March and April!
As note from previous post, level one is done at ski center!

The choice of ski center is up to your "expectations" !

What kind of year do you want?

Whistler would be the obvious choice for most,,but not for me! Mega ski center with tourist à la max!
The village is self enclosed with little real Canadian flavor!

I would pick smaller inner BC ski centers which have a community based social life and chance to "live" à la Canadian!

The serious powder skiers all flock to Fernie! Small niche expert level powder skiers there!

Panorama was just bought from Interwest by the community. It is a special place that few touristy skiers know. great new powder ski are opening! Great life and sit down for this,,,,,,you can do some serious heli skiing since the pad is right at base! Ski instructors get special deals when "free' seats are opened! My first pick would be there!

The selkirks also have some great ski areas. Yes smaller but again chance for some heli skiing!
Also skiing with Canadians!!!! Some are great!

Get there early!


Get fit since skiing is serious there!

Get some good,,,no great high level cold ski wear!

Get some boot heaters from Caframo! A serious Canadian digital controlled boot warmer for 4 boots, gloves etc,,,! All ski instructors should have one! Very cheap since not sold to skiers but to hunters and fisherman, woodsman etc,,,,,!!

Good luck!

Pavel

What a great question!

Most beginner men skiers go for the "performance" ski! More for the status than for ski!

Beginners should be on beginner skis since they will be more "forgiving" than those racers! here we are not talking about morals,,,,but ski survival!

Yes it is like learning to drive with a Porsche turbo!

What Bandit mentioned is correct!

Most women, have this problem.
All ski boots now have three settings for top clips! Just look at plastic section and you should have three holes!
You can also get clips that are longer!

Please see the power strap issue on this site!

You are never too old to ski or for that matter too "fragile" !

The issue is to do this activity "correctly"

First get fit BEFORE skiing!

Second take lessons Please do not ask Friends to teach you!

Third go when it is quiet or to a resort that "isolate" beginning learning sections!

Learn alone. That is a one to one class! Trust me it will make the difference. Those 30 pupil classes are ,,,,,,,, Well just avoid them if you are older!

The final element! get an "older" ski instructor! While the younger ski instructor will focus on showing how easy he/she makes it happen,,,,, The older/ mature instructor will show you the steps to make you ski with ease, pleasure and confidence!

I have taught an 80 year old man who had; hip replacement, heart surgery! He now skis with me EVERY day and loves it!