J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by pavelski

Wanderer make an excellent point about lessons and even after several months his comment is even more important.

Can we all agree that we constantly learn (well most of us) and that we are constantly "improving" ( well most of us)!
The level "expert" is not a goal, a final objective, a "heaven like state" where you walk on water, skim the flakes, and fly off cliffs.

This level is perhaps the most "frustrating" part of skiing since you now know all the mistakes you are making and you are constatly "adjusting" ie learning to be smoother, cleaner, tighter!

Everyone should take lessons. Did you know that even ski school directors are required to take "refresher" courses , that are never advertised and never given in well known resorts!

Did you know that in a well run ski resort ski instructors are evaluated daily and every week before the public gets to ski slopes every ski instructor is taught how to improve teaching!

So by all means evry skier should take well structured ski classes.

The comment made by Hirsty is very valid.

There is another point that no one mentionned that is worth considering.

Many modern cars have rear folding seat option with a "tunnel" to rear of car, which I understand is called the boot or truck in all other countries!

It is not recommended to drive with skis on roof for two reasons;
1. dirt, salt etc,,ruins ski bases and ski bindings

of course you will all mention ski bags!

That is my second point. Unless you have the very very good ski bags that have ski teams use which have a rubber liner and padding,,you will NOT protect your skis. Rust will set in, salt or chemical producst will damage skis.

Also unless you watch your skis at all times,,chances are they will "disappear" from roof!


The best option are Thules or such ski boxes or keep skis inside car!

PS. If you insist on using a ski roof bar,,make sure you know how to place skis correctly! Yes of course tips towards rear of car!

Richard,
Welcome to the sport.

Your question is an excellent one and does make for a better holiday if youre mountain ski slopes is "oriented" a certain way!

The sun rises in east (as we all know) and sets in West!

In ski resorts where ski runs are predominantly facing east,,these runs will get early sun!

What does that mean to you,,the skier!

Several beautiful things will happen on such slopes;
1.the sun will warm up these runs earlier, thus softer snow base
2. Visibility will be better
3.Early skiing will be easier and more relaxed
4 As you ski down you will be facing the sun,,unlike figther pilots who dread facing the sun,,,skier love it since it will make you "toasty" warm and also make you have a delicious tan!


Hope this helps you!


As you get better, I am sure you will notice a "skier migration pattern" like many birds do for the various seasons.
Smart expert skiers begin skiing on the easterly facing runs,,then as sun gets to highest point (12 ) they will migrate to runs on the westerly side where snow has not yet ben softened too much.

It is all a question of finding that "best snow cover" You see some snow type are easier to ski than other types of snow!
Some snow is "faster" some snow is harder, and finally ther is some snow that is "delinquent" you would call ie "ruffian" snow! It does not like skiers,,so it lays waiting for a beginner and at last moments grabs the ski edge and makes you fall. Its second name is spring snow!

I am sure you will discover all this soon!

Mike made me realize that there is another story (even more bizarre than the first) about this village. When I told this to my wife, she laughted, then did not believe me and insisted on called the authorities who saved me just to confirm that this really really happened!

glup,,,here it is. Promise that if ever you find out where this Cathederal is and visit it,,not to laught as you enter!

While I was skiing for a week at this resort (that Mike is not going to give any more hints) I was bored in the evenings! I was alone and as stated previously the village was "closed"! I mean no other stores, no hotels, nothing!

There was this huge huge cathederal and I must confess I have never been in such a place! One evening I was drawn into the huge doors. I was amazed at the work done with elaborate carvings of various religious events.

Then I tugged at the huge door and it was opened. Keep in mind that it was 7 PM. dark and no one around, so every step I took seemed to echo and strange sounds came from deep inside. Steam pipes that expanded, I thought,,but then it did sound also like bones moving!

I was mesmerized by all the very very strange objects hanging on a wall of the entrance. I had been a ski patroller many many years before so I recognized some "surgical objects)! Neck braces, crutches, leg braces "à la Forest Gump", corsets that looked more like some ancient torture devices.

Then I entered into this huge dark cave. Strange smell! Not pot but it did remind me of the 60's,,,,ha,,,incence! never knew that Catholic still used the stuff!

Then I was amazed at the tile work. I love laying tiles, using old Italian tiles with unique patterns, but this,,this was beautiful,,no it was amazing! In the flickering light of the many many red candels burning ( yes my wife explained to me the function of those many many candles) I saw images made by masters!

Now here is my first confess,,please all you Catholics,,do not shake your fist as you read this. I took one of those huge candles,,you know the 2 meter high ones, lite it and used it as I walked around the massive cave!

I discovered scenes I had read in the bible (yes I do have some religious training) but they were so much more vivid here,, so much more beautiful!

1 hour pasted and I found myself with angels. Huge angels, beautiful angels!

Then I found a door,,I know,,I know I should have NOT entered this door,,but it was opened and another smell came from the stairs! I went down to the crypt!

2 hours later ,,I think to myself, "awful quiet here. Maybe I should go back to room"

I go back to front door and it is locked! Ho Ho,,,,
"Do not panic" I think. There must be another way in this huge cathederal! There was! 64 doors and all locked!

Here is my second confession. Again please all you Catholics do not send me emails telling me how ignorant I am about such matters! What could I do,,,,I WAS beginning to panic!

First a timid "hello"! Then louder,,until I was now shouting in various languages ( I know a little latin)! All I got was an echo,,,,no no several echos bouncing off the huge walls!

Silence!

It was getting colder and now I was beginning to think that this was all planned by "higher beings" and I was to submit.

Here is my third confession. I can see you all now turning red! Seems there is a place no one is supposed to go except priests. A small room with all sorts of clothing! Well I did!

Took some "cloaks" and laid on the long first bench. Thank you it was padded for the VIPs!

I slep very well since I felt protected!

In the morning light I found a phone. Called 911. Initially the person did not belive me and just hung up after I told them I was locked in this huge cathederal!

Called a second time and asked her to listen as I shouted and the echo lasted seconds! I sensed the person on the end of the line take in a deep breath! I could "see" her face turn white! Immediately she got the police.

Same story given to the plice,,except this time I did not shout,,to prove I was in this place. I describe certain scenes, ! I heard, "merde vite,,,,,,"

10 minutes later I heard the siren and I had the presence of mind to return the "borrowed" garments!
The doors opened and 5 policemen rush in, look around see no damage then look at me "strangely"!

Then they all laughted!

If ever you lived in a small village,, everyone is related and everyone knows what is happening! Soon I had ,,I am sure all the villagers at the fron doors, wondering if another miracle had not occured! I tried to slip away quietly but them "mama" shouts, "Pavel, Pavel" where have you been! We were so worried"

From then on all the villagers, their kids and now the third generation kids point to me as I walk in the village, as if I was the vilage idiot! I even get some people who I meet in some conference, some ski event that stop me and ask, "are you that English Protestant that was locked in the Cathederal"?

I reply, "No no,,,it was my brother. Not very smart. Always getting lost"

That is my final confession!

Dave Mac,
Please forgive my error. I suspect someone else on this site mentionned this point. I assumed it was you.

All of the rest is correct ,,I hope!

Pavel

Mike,
That is not fair. You are giving away some valuable clues!

You are right about the golf course!

I though you Protestants were not allowed to go into a Catholic Church?

Do your remember all the hotels along the road to this institution?

Did you visit the lower sections,, with all the sacred graves and "special" artifacts!

I have another story about this cathederal which I am sure no one will believe. In short I was locked IN the place for one night! Really!

Mike I promise to make that my next Pavel skiing story!

Dave Mac,
Seriously.
Over time you start to develope an "picture" of the person behind the words, the messages, the thoughts.
Over time you reveal your being and I see a handsome man who perhaps looks in the sixties, "stout" yet always smiling because in his heart he is re-living all those "adventures" in a certain small village where there is a plaque in his honor!

I see you skiing,,yet there is always an "eye" for some skier who needs help!

There is a French term for you ( as I am sure there is in every language) it is, "bon vivant"!

I could pick you out in a second in a ski slope!There is no doubt in my mind!

It would be very dangerous for us to ski together!

Confessions in "that sacred cell" are sacred.

Mike remember your vows as a ,,,,,, You must never reveal the confessions of a desperate ski bum!

All I can say is that part of my former knee is resting in the front door of this cathederal among all the other braces, canes, back braces etc,,,,,evidence of the "miracles" made !

This village exists, this cathederal is well visited (not so much by skiers but "believers")

This old old picture hangs in a lobby of the ski resort where thousands of skiers pass by,,never knowing the story behind this picture!

But some day,,you will be skiing and something will tell you to look at that skier that looks as good as DaveMac,,,,,maybe just maybe!