J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dave Mac

Errm, Ian, FQ did this three posts ago.....

Fertig

Interesting thoughts ~ non-skiing partners. My wife & I have skied side by side for over 40 years ~ she is a wonderful skier. I do confess to having given thoughts to what happens when one of us has to cease skiing.

My guess is that it will be me first ~ my knees will not last forever. Maybe ten, maybe 20 years.

My thoughts are that we would continue to go to the alps, and while my frau is skiing, I would just spend all day painting ~ instead of managing with some time at the end of the ski day, making it difficult to finish a painting.
Apart from that, I would spend the time just meeting and talking with locals at whichever village we would be in.

Tony_H wrote:

Dave Mac wrote:

Fashion is for chavs, not for skiers.

If Dave mac thinks that, it's all good by me.

This is the guy who skis in a tent covered in food and drink stains.

Its usually people who can't afford decent gear or who are to old to care who make out of touch statements like this.

I bow to the respondents evident superior knowledge of all things.
Here I am wearing my tent, and absolutely dripping with food stains, edging my way nervously down. I feel ashamed of myself, letting down the side like this.....

pavelski wrote:Yes buy on on need or else you "follow the crowd" on the latest looks !!!!

I always "measure" my new skis and check at end of every year the camber and flex range of my skis! ! Most of my skis stay with me 4-6 years since I wax them every ski day and tune them every ski day by hand!

I also check my clothing at end of year! I noticed my 5 year old Spyder Spring gloves are all worn at finger tips! Leather just worn !!! Too much Spring skiing!

I sit down and make a list of material I missed during year !

My advise,,,,select quality material and get classic designs,,,,not latest looks which die after 2 years !

Boots,,,never never change once they fit you
Skis,,,,why change once you have the best! Just add to inventory !
Jackets,,,,,well if great deals come etc,,,,,,,,

This is closest to my own views, Pavel.

I now have a range of skis to suit varying conditions, size from 165 to 200, and including carvers and straights. Straights are the fastest, carvers are the easiest, Stiff, long covers give me best grip on ice. I also am happy to hire, this is a good way to learn ~ I don't get test skis as much as I used to.

Jackets ~ I buy normally in Austria.

Boots, I agree, if they fit, don't change. We celebrate 26 years of happiness next winter.

Gloves ~ the word got around, and I now have lots of Christmas present gloves. All of my gloves wear on the thumb of the right glove.

I keep a packing list, and delete items that I last took, but did not wear. Merino has changed my packing weight completely. On my last trip to Austria, my gear checked in at 11.5 kgm, including ski boots and painting gear.

Fashion is for chavs, not for skiers.

Ahhh, this is difficult. Do you think if I just said ~ "I'm just going down to the pub for a pint, love", and then didn't come back til a week on Thursday, that she would notice???? :x

Bedrock, this could be something simple like you have made an awkward turn, hit an unseen bump or soft patch ~ and that the impact has been taken on the right leg.

If you are in a location where you get a half hour swim at the end of the ski day, that may ease the pain. Soak ina hot bath.

If the problem persists I am inclined towards Trencher's and VSB's thoughts, but, as a start point, I would get a physio to measure the difference in ankle flex, (there is likely to be some, we all have a difference, even without injury). The question then would be ~ to what extent is the flex variance likely to initiate the pain site? The physio should be able to help here, too.

If, possible, find a physio that specialises in sports injuries.

Hi Probe, welcome to J2ski.

A change of skis might help a little, although taking cognisance of the 3 year trial, this is like to have a limited effect. Slightly shorter and softer skis may help.

Here is a self-analysis and learning drill:
Stand, facing directly downhill on a slope which feel comfortable on ~ preferably on a Tbar or short chairlift run, where you can carry out repeat drills on same steepness and conditions.

Let the skis run freely down the fall line, and when you are at turning speed, initiate a left turn exactly as you would normally do. Your instructor has already identified this direction turn is proficient.

Your left hip should be forwards and inwards, knees and weight forwards, and keep facing down the hill. You know you can do this, but do it 4 or 5 times, each time thinking about what you are doing, how it feels.

Then start again, facing down the hill, let the skis run, and initiate a right turn. This time, think about what you are doing that feels different from a LH turn. It will be something specific. One common issue is not pushing the hip as far forward or inward, as you do on your good side, but it could be something else.

Your objective is to get your turn actions to emulate those of your good direction, and this drill reduces and removes extraneous influences.

If you make progress and identify what you want to change, then change the drill slightly so that you cross the fall line. Build this up until the turn directions are equal.

Are you by any chance, left-handed?