Any Decent skiers here?

[The Joker]

Hi Guys,

I'm off skiing at the weekend to the Alps, have been on about 5 ski trips in my life, can tackle blue and reds no problem, even the odd black, although my techniquie leaves a lot to be desired.

Had an indoor lesson recently and didn't learn much from it. I was just after a few pointers/tips for better turns. On steeper slopes I seem to pick up too much speed then have to take off alot of this almost stopping myself. And can't seem to keep my skis close together. Want to be able to do more consistent turns and keep a constant speed(hope that makes sense)

Just looked on youtube at turns, looks so easy, but I can't ski like this.

Short turns

Carving


Thanks for any help.

Wes

[robertneville]

carving your turns is key to keeping your speed checked on steep runs. remember if you can turn and stop you can ski!

[davor]

the key to everything is poking your ski poles before you make any turn. this helps you gain rythm...and remember to always lean on the leg that is closest to the descent, and try to avoid skiing on your ski tails (you ski like this only in deep snow)!

there are plenty of ski instructors on any ski destination, if you are uncertain of your ski progress, I recommend you hire one, for a one on one lesson-in 3 days you will ski like a champ!

good luck!

Davor

[Gaijin]

I grew up in Colorado and got Salomon certified to work on skis and bindings and did it for a living for a few years whilst skiing as much as I could.

However after serveral serious knee surgeries I don't think I will ever feel that wonderful experience again. Sad.

[mtrunner]

I grew up on skis in Montana. I ski about 15 - 20 times a year now but when I was in high school and college I was averaging 80 - 90 days a year with 110 days of skiing being the most days of skiiing in one year. I was big into back country skiing and the bigger and steeper the mountain all the better.

[1675-David]

I used to be a lot better than I am today, but I can say that about a lot of things. I lived in the north of Sweden for a while and I was on the slopes almost every day

[conrail]

If you can just turn, and make quick turns if needed, you can ski just about anything that isn't back woods skiing. Esp if you're going to the Alps where the runs are much longer and majestic - you can take your time and enjoy it! I think you'll be fine! Keep your confidence up and stay alert and you'll have no problems.

[wantonebad]

I too have had knee issues but I've been a skier most of my adult life. Started in college, got brought to the top of a mountain by a "friend" and told "see ya at the bottom". two trees later I took off the ski's and walked down the mountain in my ski boots. But that jerk put a fire in me to learn, I spent the rest of the week, yes it was a full week at Killington, on the bunny-slopes learning to ski. By the end of the week I was scaring children and old ladies on the intermediate slopes.

I had friends with homes in VT and NH so I took advantage and really became a good skier. By my last year in school I was working at a resort and then before I went to grad school I took two years to live at and work for one of the largest resort companies in the U.S. I was on the ski patrol for 6 months before I blew-out my ACL. I still ski a dozen times a year but it's certainly not the same staring at 50 as it was in my 20's.

[MonBK]

My speciality is After Ski.

[theloxmyth]

Originally Posted by MonBK

My speciality is After Ski.

Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Blue Knob were our haunts, in days gone by.

I value my knees and don't ski any more (or any less!) .

I didn't use poles.

Keep your knees bent and don't run into anyone or anything.

A skier JUST died at Seven Springs for going off trail and smashing his un-helmeted head.

Have a blast and snap a pic for us, if you please!

[daveathall]

I've been skiing in Germany and Cyprus but only at a very basic level and many years ago, so would be no help, have a great time though.

[joeychitwood]

I learned how to ski at age 42. I enjoy it, but am quite cautious due to previous knee and back surgeries. The older I get, the more it hurts to fall.

[JasoninDenver]

I highly recommend getting a one on one lesson for at least a half day. The instructor will teach you more in an hour than you can learn by trial and error on your own in three days.

When you conquer alpine skiing come over to the dark side and try Telemark skiing. It's what all the cool kids do - at least here in Colorado.

[Sweramic]

Been skiing since the age of 4 and I know it takes some time to get used to it. Practice is key!

[The Joker]

Thanks guys, wanna try and crack them short turns first, will try and use the poles a bit more. Just looks like I need a bit more rhythm and concentrate on weight transfer.

And will maybe try and get some lessons, although just looked one on one, blimey they are expensive.

[MoBe]

I grew up with ski instructors,"bend zee knees,five dollars pleeze".

It`s probably more like fifty bucks these days but the physics still apply,use your weight over the downhill ski to carve your turn and the uphill ski will follow.

[The Joker]

£70 an hour Think they earn more than brain surgeons

[DiamondJack]

Wes. The key is simply weight transference from one ski to the other as you go into the turn plus making sure you keep your weight forward (beginners never do this) to control the turn.

Your weight should be on the ski furthest down the slope so if your travelling to your right, your weight should be on your left ski. As you approach the turn, plant your left pole slightly ahead of you and transfer your weight to the right ski keeping your weight forward.

The ski will then do all the work for you since it will bend in the middle where your foot/weight is and turn the corner for you. As you practise, you will gradually keep your skis closer together and start to look cooler and like you can really ski. But the weight transfer is the same even if your skis are a foot apart like a beginner or a few mill as a pro.

If you look at experts, you see them almost bob up and down which is just them transferring weight from one foot to the other as they turn......becoming almost weightless in the middle. Simples By the way, that's £70

[marcel78]

DiamondJack's instructions are very good. Re instructors/lessons: they charge way too much.

Minor addition to Diamond Jacks comments for turns: the upper ski should be advanced a bit further before you shift the weight to the other ski to make the turn.

Also for curving look up the you tube series of - "12 steps to ski like a pro". Highly recommended.

(my instructions might be good, but hm..., I tore my ACL a week ago:)

Good luck,
M

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by marcel78

Re instructors/lessons: they charge way too much.

OP is going to europe, though. from my experience, the prices are MUCH cheaper than the states for lift tickets, rentals and instructors. lodging and food? pricey, yes.

no substitute for taking a class, be in private or group, to get some skills. it's a worthwhile investment.

well, i was an instructor back in the day, so, i guess i'm biased.

[Quackers]

A mate and I decided it would be a good idea to try our hand (or feet) on the Rossendale ski slope (all weather).
We got there and donned our boots and skis (well, theirs actually) and we saw a class going on, on the small practise slope. We tacked on the end of the line as the instructor was speaking.
Sadly, it was a class for acrobatic skiing, being given by the European champion at the time!
Me and my mate looked at each other and said "what the hell, we'll stay".
The first trick was to ski slowly down and then plant the poles in front of us, then pick up the right ski and turn it round and plant it facing up the hill to our left, then sort of spin round, effectively doing a 360 turn. There were people either side to catch us.
We managed that (sort of).
The next one was a forward somersault (with helpers on each side).

After a while the instructor asked us why we were crashing into the barrier at the bottom of the slope
We told him we hadn't ever skiied before and he burst out laughing

It was damned good fun though

[The Joker]

Thanks guys some really good info here.

Originally Posted by theloxmyth

Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Blue Knob were our haunts, in days gone by.

I value my knees and don't ski any more (or any less!) .

I didn't use poles.

Keep your knees bent and don't run into anyone or anything.

A skier JUST died at Seven Springs for going off trail and smashing his un-helmeted head.

Have a blast and snap a pic for us, if you please!

Craig, yep will avoid trees and people Blimey I doubt I'll be going off-piste. Will take some pics and post here.

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

Wes. The key is simply weight transference from one ski to the other as you go into the turn plus making sure you keep your weight forward (beginners never do this) to control the turn.

Your weight should be on the ski furthest down the slope so if your travelling to your right, your weight should be on your left ski. As you approach the turn, plant your left pole slightly ahead of you and transfer your weight to the right ski keeping your weight forward.

The ski will then do all the work for you since it will bend in the middle where your foot/weight is and turn the corner for you. As you practise, you will gradually keep your skis closer together and start to look cooler and like you can really ski. But the weight transfer is the same even if your skis are a foot apart like a beginner or a few mill as a pro.

If you look at experts, you see them almost bob up and down which is just them transferring weight from one foot to the other as they turn......becoming almost weightless in the middle. Simples By the way, that's £70

Steve, thanks for the lesson cheque is in the post

Originally Posted by marcel78

DiamondJack's instructions are very good. Re instructors/lessons: they charge way too much.

Minor addition to Diamond Jacks comments for turns: the upper ski should be advanced a bit further before you shift the weight to the other ski to make the turn.

Also for curving look up the you tube series of - "12 steps to ski like a pro". Highly recommended.

(my instructions might be good, but hm..., I tore my ACL a week ago:)

Good luck,
M

Marcel, have been checking them youtube vids out. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

OP is going to europe, though. from my experience, the prices are MUCH cheaper than the states for lift tickets, rentals and instructors. lodging and food? pricey, yes.

no substitute for taking a class, be in private or group, to get some skills. it's a worthwhile investment.

well, i was an instructor back in the day, so, i guess i'm biased.

Cru, yep getting lessons is the way forward, will see if I can get some. I know my mates will say "You don't need lessons that's valuable beer money you are spending"

Originally Posted by Quackers

A mate and I decided it would be a good idea to try our hand (or feet) on the Rossendale ski slope (all weather).
We got there and donned our boots and skis (well, theirs actually) and we saw a class going on, on the small practise slope. We tacked on the end of the line as the instructor was speaking.
Sadly, it was a class for acrobatic skiing, being given by the European champion at the time!
Me and my mate looked at each other and said "what the hell, we'll stay".
The first trick was to ski slowly down and then plant the poles in front of us, then pick up the right ski and turn it round and plant it facing up the hill to our left, then sort of spin round, effectively doing a 360 turn. There were people either side to catch us.
We managed that (sort of).
The next one was a forward somersault (with helpers on each side).

After a while the instructor asked us why we were crashing into the barrier at the bottom of the slope
We told him we hadn't ever skiied before and he burst out laughing

It was damned good fun though

Hi Mike, I'll master turns first, then will try out some somersaults

[Quackers]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Thanks guys some really good info here.

Hi Mike, I'll master turns first, then will try out some somersaults

Probably the better way to go

[The Joker]

I'm Back! And it was friggin freezing!!

Didn't manage to get a lesson, ski school didn't return my call, so didn't improve at all, but had a great time. Brought the speedy, was great to time my downhill record attempts. It laughed at -30 degrees. And survived several wipeouts.

Hope anyone off skiing has a great time, and that tempertures rise abit.

Some crapberry pics, including me looking miserable waiting for a bus.

[MoBe]

Too bad you picked the coldest winter in decades but thanks for sharing the pics.