Messages posted by : pavelski
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Back to the issue of stopping.
Many many ski resorts now have "beginner zones" or slow zones ! All beginners ( and some intermediates ) should go in these zones until they can ski NON STOP from top to bottom. If you ever watch a school of fish or a flock of birds ,,,they flow in all knowing what the other is doing. I know,,,I know we are not as smart as birds and fish so we meander all over the slope! We have too many "experts" on the runs who want to do their "thing" ! Survival ( and I mean survival) on the slope is knowing how to "read" the traffic flow. To locate that "stray" skier and avoid him/her. In Darwining contextes he/she would be eaten very quickly by a predatory. I suspect many will be "eaten" by natural selection established by the mountain. Part of skiing is selecting "your" slope or run. Hard enough to "excite" you,,yet not too difficult or dangerous to terrorize you. Many skiers do not know how to select this slope ! Just yesterday I carried a skier down who was a rank beginner ( yes in jeans ) who was on a well marked black diamond (expert ) run. Seems it is the norm ! If you really have to stop mid-slope,,,,,,ask yourself WHY ? Effective skiers do not stop mid-slope ( well perhaps to admire another good skier or the view ) It is called, "carrying the rythme " |
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As all agents will say,,,,,LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION !
Every ski resort has its "unique feel". Its identity. Type of life style people want. I avoid the tourist meccas . The resorts where people go "to be seen" I look for those "hidden pearls " not well know by most. The skiing Shangri- Las. I do not want to travel to slopes, yet I do not want mega cement block condos on the side of slopes. You all have seen them. I want a center that respects nature and the mountain. Give yourself time to look around. Think ahead 5-10 years Talk to locals. Ski all of the resort. Good luck Pa |
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All sports have an "unwritten rules ", behaviors not accepted, rules of etiquette.
In past these rules were passed down from fathers, uncles or ski instructors to neophyte skiers. Now,,,,( you feel in the spaces ). What are those behaviors? Here are the ones I was taught. ( I am sure others will add more ) 1. Never but never bring skis into chalet, condo, house ( unless house has a ski storage area ) 2. Never but never wear jeans while skiing. If you have no idea why,,,,,try it once. Now if you want to be "truly" sinful,,,,,try very tight, thin jeans ladies . 3. Never, but never smoke in chair, gondola, etc,,, 4.Never but never lean skis/board against side of car. 5. Never but never pass your ski guide or instructor in powder. 6. Never try to impress your instructor by saying you are a good skier , "since you ski the bumps, the moguls" 7. Never buy ski equipment above your level of competence. - ski boot with a flex of 140 - World Cup racing ski - + 130 mm,,,,, 190 cm. powder ski ( real skiers will just laugh at you ) 8. Never lend your tuned/waxed skis to a beginner friend. 9. Never go off piste alone with no support material ( cell is not enough ) 10. This last one is my all time 2014 favorite. Want to lose a ski friend ? Try this. While skiing a glorious long wide, well groomed slope, stop in middle ,,,to take out cell phone and chat! Small hints to those coming on slopes for first time. 1. Learn to carry skis and poles correctly 2. Learn to get on lift before ski day ( with friends) 3. Learn to fall ( yes there is a correct way ) 4. Learn to put on ski boots BEFORE ski holiday. ( Yes there is a correct way,,,,,with baby powder ) 5. Learn to walk up slope. No you do not "walk" up with tip straight up hill ( unless you have skins ). |
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Ranchero has given great hints.
About those thighs and feelings after skiing. We have a saying in my part of the world. The Tuesday heart aches ! Why Tuesday and with heart aches ? Here is typical scene. A great ski week is unfolding. +40 cm. of fresh powder. 10 keen skiers who have paid a great deal of money to heli ski. Monday is a constant pleasure of non-stop powder skiing. Tuesday morning,,,,,well some "skiers" can not get up stairs, some have problems bending over to pick up trousers ( male and female ). Some can not get into heli.... The Tuesday heart aches sets in. No one waits for late comers. No friends in powder is the rule here. In short learn to ski effectively and those burning thighs will not happen! Apply those great hints and you will note how pain becomes pleasure,,,even after 5 days of skiing. It is your choice. Pa |
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Tony,
It is not fear of speed,,,but fear of loss of control. Many skiers try to "progress to fast". Skipping basic technics. I support you. Do not ski with persons who do not want to ski better ( not faster). Skiing with better skiers makes you better. It raises your level of skiing competence. I always require all skiers who want to ski in powder to take a 1 day evaluation test with me. No matter how much money you have, how much "prestige" or contacts you have,,,you do not come skiing in powder if you do not have basic skills. "No friends in powder" really applies. Try waiting for a "poor skier" with +50 cm. of powder ! Just my opinion. Pav |
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A diagnostic burning thigh exercise.
Stand on level slope at bottom of resort. Feet apart in a comfortable stance. Lift one of your ski tails 4 cm. ( with tip still touching snow) . Now lean back on heels and try to lift one of the ski tails. See what happens ? Feel the tension on your thighs? Try this now while going down an easy easy slope. Just lift ski tail,,,,while putting all weight on other ski. ( NOT ALL THE SKI JUST TAIL while tip rests on snow) If you can't do this,,,,,,you are leaning too far back on skis thus will have sore thighs. |
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Burning thighs !
The one major symptom of a "sitting back" skier is burning thighs. You are not forward enough on skis. Put pressure on BIG TOE at all times. You are "muscling" your turns, rather than allowing skis to carve for you. Take lessons. Go on easy slopes and learn to let skis turn , instead of you "muscling" turns with rear pressure at ski tails. I hope this helps. |
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All the above suggestions are correct.
Coming from Europe the western ski resorts are your best choices. Quebec resorts are; too small too crowded Dangerous since many skiers and short slopes. Go west. |
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