Messages posted by : pavelski
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AJ.
Juts try them first! Every ski has its personality, like you have "special" personality! The trick is to find ski that "accepts" your personality and skiing needs! Thank you. |
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If some of you want to play with ski length estimates try this site!
Have fun changing the various parameters and you will note how one parameters ; age, weight, level has more impact on final decision! It is these weightings or "loadings" that are not standard overall! Each ski company, each journal, each "expert" has different loadings! Take two ski companies; Rossignol and Elan and give same information in each site,,,you will get different results! http://www.skipressworld.com/SkiFinder.php?gender=M®ionId=2&languageId=1§ion=skifinder&type=skifinder&mode=&filter=&sort= |
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A small screw,,,yet very important for your skiing!
I have seen about 10 skis this Winter that have a "problem screw"! Many new skis have a anti-vibration plate system which allows front and back bindings to flex independently! To allow this flex the screw holes are not perfect circles but oval. Thus screw can "travel" within this oval opening! The design is very effective,,,when screw allows this movement! In many skis the ski technicians have over-torqued that vital screw and there is no or little flex allowed! I take out screw, place a drop of white lithium grease between screw, washer and plate! Then I hand torque screw back. Never never over tightening that very screw! Note in some racing high level plates there are two such screws, an example is the VIS plate system! You will note a difference! |
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AJ,
Graceful AJ,,,you have the right idea!Graceful means in tune with the slope and ski! I can always tell when I see a "graceful" skier. The movements are smooth, silky, the turns are like soaring eagles smooth and arced! No jarring, quick hard moves! May I make one comment? Speed is not necessary to have elegante and graceful skiing.You do however have to be more patient with your skis. The turn will come a fraction-second later as you set edge!Just relax and let ski go into its arc.Many skiers are too anxious (about speed) and wanted to turn NOW! Trust your skis! My girl just got a pair of Salomon Aero X and she has rocketed to another skiing level. These skis are the new hybrid design with Slalom front section and GS rear section. I thought is was another marketing gimmick, but I am seeing great improvement! Since front part is "softer" turns are easier, setting edge is silky smooth! Try them!They are great for that elegant skiing style you want! Another tip to get that "graceful" smooooooth look and feel, is to set edges and in your head count 1,,,2,,,3 and as you do so gradually pressure the front of your downhill ski more and more. The key word is gradually! Not in one quick hard motion! Think you are pouring sirop! Think you are glazing your cake with spatula with smooth strokes! Think you are stroking your dog slowly over his fur! One smooth slow action! That is the secret! It all starts in the head! Hope this helps you to soar with finesse! |
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Stayks,
I need a bit of precision please, if you do not mind. That strain is on the top arch area? Just under the third buckle from top? A switch in back???? ,,,is it used with an allen key? Those 14 and 16 numbers are soft and hard (relative) flex options. May I suggest you place in soft option since most modern skis do not need hard settings! That ankle adjustment is the cuff medial or lateral adjustment! Most people think it is the canting adjustmnet! Here is what you do to see if you need this adjustment! You need; shorts, a good friend, a plumb line , a black felt maker. 1. Put on shorts 2. Mark a vertical line (10 cm.) with felt marker on the exact mid point of your knees 3. Allow friend to take plumb line and place string on that vertical line on knee! Allow metal weight to hang 1 mm from ski boot. 4. Flex knee forward in ski position. This moves plumb to hang just over boot where front flat section interfaces with binding! 5. Note exactly where that weight is hanging. 6. Look very carefully at boot and you will see a thin line which is the exact center of boot! 7. If you are correctly fitted that weight should be MEDIAL to the boot center line about 3-8 mm (inside) If not,,,,tell me and I will guide you on how to "adjust" boot cuff! I hope I was clear in my instructions,,if not PM me! |
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There is no doubt that skiers should be on shorter skis, than the traditional "arm's length method"
Too short skis make skier "think" he is "carving" turns, when in reality many many skier do body rotation turns, thus turning comes from upper body rotation, that is shoulders , arms pelvis then knees! Looks great on easy flat well groomed slopes! Then the "wall" is hit, when it gets steeper or snow piles up! You also get sore back with this type of skiing! Try the Metron B5 skis I have a pair of 170 cm. Very very stable, wide thus cuts through all the crud and loves that well groomed carpet! My best advice to all skiers is demo all sorts of lengths. Then you will see difference. Try this! Take same ski model and go very short, then increase length! vary your turn styles from tight SL to GS turns each time! Also vary snow conditions! Many ski companies have internet ski selection programs. Try them and you will see how "variable" the results are! In my case it was a 10 cm. difference! |
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Hirsty,
There is no formula. The ski world is in a state of flux, due to many changes in ski design and ski types. However there are some basic guidelines related to where you ski and what you want out of a ski! What Dshenberger note d also is correct. You have a unique physique , a near perfect Ectomorph! Do not let others give you a ski based on weight or height! Use rather where you ski and what you want from ski! Fatties for serious powder then to be long at 175-180 cm. since they have soft long flex. Serious GS very fast skiers will ski in the 170-180 range. The very technical, very sharp skiers who like tight steep icy terrain will go for the SL skis in the 165- 170 range! I see your next question in your eyes! I want an "all-round" all terrain ski! So which size. This is where you have to make concessions! Nothing comes free! What do you want? Where do you ski most of the time? I have a Metron B5 that carries me everywhere ( except ice) it is 170 cm, Love it! Try it! My personal observation when I visit ski shops, is that most sales people sell too short skis! They want you to get instant control turn feel! However on a too short ski you will pick up bad habits! Hope this answers your concerns. |
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There is one saying in these modern times, that is repeated over and over! It is relevant in many fields, but even more so in skiing. It is, “the only thing you can surely expect today,,,, is change”! Look how we have changed. Some time ago only natural material was the status in skiing. Those leather hand made boots, made in Austria! Now it is all synthetic. Some time ago that wollen ski sweater was the envy of all skiers. Now it is reclyed bottles. Some time ago the longer skis you had the “better” skier you were! No male ever skied under 200cm. Now men who are 6 feet 4 inches are skiing on 160 cm. skis and proud of it! Some time ago you brought your lunch in a packsack and left it on hooks in lodge! Now you have signs, “no home lunches allowed”! Some time ago the bulkier you looked the better! Now the slim “layered look” is in. Some time ago the more turns you did , the better. Now it is straight down is better! Some time ago skiers had to remain on ski surface! You lost ticket if you jumped! Now we build ramps so you can go higher. Some time ago learning to survive tows was part of the skiing experience! Now we have heated seats, wind protected and padded lifts! Some time ago glued legs was the goal of all skiers. Now apart is the norm. Some time ago thin was in. Now fat is in. Some time ago $5 got you a day of skiing. Now it is a tip ! Some time ago a skier took 5 years to “glue ski”, now everyone is an expert in 5 days Some time ago skiers traded waxes on hill, now only spas use wax on skier legs. Some time ago fathers gave their skis to sons in their wills. Now “old” one year old skis are given to Salvation Army. Some time ago skiers loved to feel the wind in their hair. Now the “turtle” approach is used; spine pack, wrist protection,skull protection, mouth guard, elbow pads, triple glazed goggles, knee guards, padded hip pants, etc….. Some time ago the tanned looked was glorified. Now skier umbrellas are sold. SP 300 cream is used. Solar masks are used. Lifts have sun roofs. Etc… Some time ago skiers listened to wind whistling on lift lines and branches growing. Now Rap music is played to excite skiers to higher goals. Some time ago nature decided on what you skied on. Now computers calculate; wind, humidity,sun exposure,temperature,atmospheric pressure, etccc and eratz white stuff comes out ! Some time ago skiers skied on what all sorts of snow. Now skiers demand money back if slopes are not perfect courdoroy, with 10 cm of worked chopped snow! Some time ago ski resorts were owned by that man with working overalls near the bull wheel. Now the ski resorts are owned by multi-national holding companies in Bahamas. Sometime ago a ski instructor knew your father, mother and perhaps your sister. Now a ski instructor barely speaks English, barely knows who Stein Erickson is and you will never see him/her 3 seconds after class. Some time ago all skiers learned to ski on ski hill. Now we have. X BOX simulations, Video simulations, home ski platforms, learn while you sleep ski lessons, in line ski lessons, DVD learn in 5 easy lessons before your holiday, ski mats, build your own indoor ski slopes, internet lessons with wireless downloads to your IPOD! Learn as you ski I POD blogs, 200 inch TV screens in bar so that you can learn skiing while sipping vodka, in gondola TV screens providing skiing lessons for those “fast learning” one holiday tourists. Some time ago people went on skiing holidays to ski. Now people go on “skiing” holidays to; slide down water falls, soak in those Finnish pools, sweat in those saunas, shop in those cute native stores, ride those dogs sleds, sleep into those ice castles, ride those sleds, try that new disco, sample that new meal, play in the fun park,win money in the hotel casino etc.. Sometime ago……ha it has gone! |
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