Dry slopes

OldAndy wrote:

tin pot wrote:

Anybody got any tips for dry slope skiing?

(The boy loved it)

Sit in the bar and watch the boy :thumbup:

....is the correct answer

tin pot wrote:

Anybody got any tips for dry slope skiing?

Drive past - Went to our local one when kids were young - pointless - drag pulled my arm out of their sockets and one or two turns later you are back down. Maybe yours is better - But ours is nothing like skiing on snow.Probably only good for little ones toboagganing parties !!!

I had a nasty experience on the dry slope in Sunderland back in the 80's. The surface was in very poor condition and I caught my ski on a bare patch, went over head first and took all the skin off my face. I have to say, the slope is in much better condition now but I've avoided them ever since. I'd far rather drive down to Castleford and ski on the indoor slope.

Okeydoke, I get the 'it's terrible' message.

But is there a trick to it?

Is the fact I'm catching edges down to my poor technique, or the quality of the mat?

Am I better off with the hire skis?

tin pot wrote:Okeydoke, I get the 'it's terrible' message.

But is there a trick to it?

Is the fact I'm catching edges down to my poor technique, or the quality of the mat?

Am I better off with the hire skis?

You're not listening.

Stay in the car and drive somewhere else.

Definitely better off with hire skis.

As far as technique is concerned, you need to make more definite and pronounced movements - don't worry about a carved turn, skidding is the order of the day!

Lack of investment in slopes over the last few years has rendered skiing on them a riskier business. In their heyday in the 1970s, it was a much better (and extremely popular) experience.

The dry slope will show any problems with your skiing technique much more than snow would.
The trick is to get your skis on edge quickly, whether your carving or sliding your turns is not really relevant. What you need to do is make a smooth positive change of edges as you make the turn.
As you do it try to think about keeping your weight on your big toe on your lower ski and your little toe on your upper one.
Don't worry about catching an edge, the way the mats grab makes this almost inevitable, until you get into the habit of making smooth clean turns.
Try not to turn on the mat joints as they grab sometimes too.

I agree with OldAndy too - don't do it - there's no point without snow