What if you felt the front of your skis startinh to "flap"?

Trencher wrote:

The solution as said above, is to slow down, and allow the skis to turn in an arc that is in tune with the sidecut, and inclination. On steep slopes, this requires commitment at the start of the turn. That is, you must have the confidence to lean out down hill, and forward into the new turn, holding the turn past the fall line. Just because the slope is steeper, you cannot go faster than you would normally on those skis. To control speed, you must make your turns fuller, even seemingly turning back up the hill a little.



Trencher

I tried it again today... and they worked brilliant!
Thanks a lot for the tip !!!

Glad that worked for you.

The one ski quiver is getting closer I think. Once the decambered tips and tails, and multi-radius sidecuts that are now only available to top racers, start filtering down to regular skis. Maybe another season or two (I hope).

Trencher

I suppose what it all adds up to is that you need to take time to adjust to new skis, and work out how to ski with them, rather than against them - something like when you try out a new horse perhaps :D


And if you really can't get on together at all, you need to find yourself another horse, sorry I mean pair of skis :D

Ally

Dynastar Sultan Legend 85's are solidly used by pros at Alta and Snowbird. They are all-mountain mid-fats (85mm width at the waist), stiff and can blast through crud and all those things which knock around intermediates like a battering ram, increases skier confidence, and they have been doing great the last two days i am skiing my new pair (After demoing at Alta) in NEast US hard pack. The old Elans are history (and they did chatter and main reason, my skiing had finally gone beyond their tolerance levels for the pressure I was exerting as I improved). Just another two cents as I do a flyby on your outstanding Euro-centric (its true but I like it-gives different info and perspective) forum

dustyfog wrote:Dynastar Sultan Legend 85's are solidly used by pros at Alta and Snowbird. They are all-mountain mid-fats (85mm width at the waist), stiff and can blast through crud and all those things which knock around intermediates like a battering ram, increases skier confidence, and they have been doing great the last two days i am skiing my new pair (After demoing at Alta) in NEast US hard pack. The old Elans are history (and they did chatter and main reason, my skiing had finally gone beyond their tolerance levels for the pressure I was exerting as I improved). Just another two cents as I do a flyby on your outstanding Euro-centric (its true but I like it-gives different info and perspective) forum

There you go. New skis and you're a happy bunny.

Flapping!

Interesting word in the context of skiing! Then I thought more. It is a great word for this reason!

In my country,,"flapping" means talking too much, too loud, about nothing"

The greatest compliment you can give a skier is to say, "you are a quiet skier" ! So it is socially!

Notice how in a social group there is always one who "flaps" ! It is the quiet one who you should listen to! So it is with skiing! No useless motion! No loud gestures to gain attention!

In short "flapping" is a great sign of "poor skiing" !

Why does it happen!

You are leaning back too much ob tails,,,because you are skiing too fast!
Slow down. Go to easier slopes and learn how to ski "softly, quietly, with pleasure"

Flapping,,,,great word to use!!!!

Pavel

terencewind wrote:Thanks pavelski, so you mean that the "flapping" I felt was just something you naturally if going down fast/steep?

Let me try to analyze my mind during that moment. I was trying to slow down... or at least I felt/tried to, by squatting down to give more pressure at the end of the turn thinking that doing so might slow me down, well... it did, but I didn't quite like these "flapping" I felt on my skis, while doing it.

Perhaps this is exactly the wrong thing I have in my mind, by goin down with my bum. So I might be able to correct this by thinking of bringing my knees forwards to the front end of my skis. Point no. 4.

Just one question... what are the "mechanics" of skiing you were refering to?

What do you mean by parachute? Sounds interesting.

Terence,
Read your text again. "I was trying to slow down,,,,,,by squatting"

There is your problem. Squatting down is the "defensive, panic way to slow down,,,,,by losing control; of skis and falling!

The "flapping" is the first sign that you are soon going to fall since weight is on ski tails and in effect you have NO control of your skis!

If you want to slow down ,,,here is what you must do!

1. Put lots of pressure on front toe. (purest do not "jump" on me please) OF THE DOWN HILL SKI ! Assuming you are not going down the fall line ( Straigth down)!

2. Gradually put more pressure on inside ski edge till your ski goes UPHILL! The really good skier will put pressure on BOTH inside ski edges!

3. Keep pressure and knees always in front!

4. Keep hands in front and stable as if you are carrying a tray!

5. DO NOT ROTATE upper body (like in a hockey stop) !

6. The slope will slow you down!

I suspect that in 90% of cases this can not be done since you want to stop ON A DIME ! Fast!
Nothing will stop you on a dime ( except tree, rock, wall, cliff ) so learn to anticipate, look ahead, ski under control on easier slopes!
Yes I know it takes maturity,,but remember what happened to Icarus!

Hope this helps you!

As far as mechanics,,,I can not in this post get into details. May I suggest you read "Ultimate Skiing" by Ron LeMaster since it is , in my opinion the very best technical book on skiing!

Amazing pictures. Amazing advice.

Pavel