Ski Area bans aggressive carving !

Welch Village, a small ski hill near me has banned aggressive carving. They say it is a liability issue because the ruts can trip up skiers.

This is what thier notice says...

"We will not allow what we call extremely aggressive carving as it does too much damage to the hills and is causing injuries to those who get stuck in the ruts. Ninety-nine % of the people with carving equipment do not cause this damage."


They are mostly refering to snowboard carving, but ski racers are capable of making some sizable ruts too. Also, "Ninety-nine % of the people with carving equipment do not cause this damage" is because they are not carving. Actually many are carving and most are using thier modern skis correctly with progressive turns which are not affected by ruts.


This seems to have come about because some old school skiers were getting jarred as they skidded sideways across the carved lines in the snow.

Trencher

We certainly have noticed ski trenches appearing this year. It seems particularly bad in spring snow, when ruts are deep, and the snow is more dense. For an experienced skier, it is more of an irritation than a hazard. You can ski across or round the ruts. More of a hazard for those who have not yet developed the capability to take quick action, or who are only planning one turn ahead.

The ruts offer an edge-catching situation, so have to be managed.

I have little issue with boarding lines, my experience is that they do not present the carve ski risk. The 99% statistic is interesting. I would relate the percentage deep rutters to be correlated to the percentage of very fast carve skiers. Hence in a resort with fast runs/good local skiers, I would reckon the that more than 10% of ski carvers would be creating some hazard.

Having lived through several changes in ski styles, it amuses me to be classified as "an old style skier". How do you think the next generation will label you trencher, in forty years time?

Dave Mac wrote:

Having lived through several changes in ski styles, it amuses me to be classified as "an old style skier". How do you think the next generation will label you trencher, in forty years time?

There's old school and then there's what I should really call no school. I was refering to people who slide sideways, one side then the other. I realise good old school skiers did not do that on intemediate slopes however straight thier skis ). It really doesn't matter how people ski so long as it's safe and they are having fun. We have always had to deal with bumps created by skidding skiers, it just one of those things.


I don't think there will be any major changes to skiing in the future. We have reach the limit of technology and technique :lol: :lol: :lol:

Trencher

Sounds like a bit of American over-reaction to me!!!

Not likely to visit Welch Village (don't think the skiing in Wales is much good anyway! :mrgreen: ) so not really too bothered!

Oh Trencher, what makes you think that we have reached technology & technique limits?

Since I started skiing I have passed through:
1) Snow plough, (Yeah I know)
2) Stem Christie
3) Perfect Parallels (sic)~ old equivalent to carving, hardly any ski radius, c/w modern skis. Oh, and carried out on 210 ski length
4) Upward unweight technique
5) Wedel, (Short swings) you might identify as tight turns, with skidding
6) Downward unweight, (Avalament, Grundschwung)
7) Jet
8) Open Knee Swing
9) Carving
10) Death-defying, one ski on the ground, the other over your shoulder, weight going right round the wrong way, I will not fall at any cost, technique.

In the same period, boots have been lace, multi-clips, short, long, short, rear entry, multi-clips, rear entry.

I won't go far into the so-called ski changes. The biggest benefit to skiers was reducing the length of skis from extended wrist to just below chin level.

Biggest change in hassle reduction was from retainer straps to ski brakes.

Not qualified to comment on binding technology. But there has been a significant structural industry change as ski manufacturers have captured bindings as part of the ski design.

What on earth makes you think change suddenly stops?

Trencher wrote:

I don't think there will be any major changes to skiing in the future. We have reach the limit of technology and technique :lol: :lol: :lol:

Dave, :lol: :lol: :lol: means laugh out loud, laugh out loud, laugh out loud (I was joking)

If the term "New School" means anything in modern sports, it means nothing is written in stone and all accepted thinking is subject to challenge.

Trencher

Hi All,

I thought that one of the key points of skiing was to learn to adapt you're skiing and technique to cope with the ever changing weather ,environment and snow conditions found on any mountain during the course of a days skiing?

Maybe some skiers are not keen on improving thier technique which will have the effect of a much more enjoyable time skiing (it would also improve thier chances of staying unhurt)

Just a thought

jon.

1. Typical American over reaction

2. Its them damned boarders who cut the slopes up