Messages posted by : Jan I Stenmark
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Trencher,
I also fell in lust with the Powerswitch. I fancied the 10' version and tested it back in late December. I have to say that I was not wildly impressed :( Now naturally that may be due my skiing but I found them to be rather heavy and ponderous. I started with the switch in the soft position and they felt adequate. Turning the switch it was clear I could feel a difference but was it a good one? I think to really test them I would need a closed GS course and then I could really let them go ... Trouble is how often am I likely to ski at that pace, energy and level of input during a days rec skiing? Not often I suspect. Interestingly, and against all odds they were at their absolute best when I took them into the powder! Now it's fair to say that if someone was to give me a pair I'd happily ski them! but I opted to stay with my 160 / SX-11's One last point is that the tops of the skis are VERY sensitive to cosmetic damage as the rods that control the flex are housed in raised "tubes" the test guys did reccomend not using them in busy lift queues ... Hope this helps and lets hear from anyone else who has tried these skis. Jan |
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Tignes doesn't shut until the 4th May ... it's 2.5 hrs from GVA but you should be assured "snow" on the glacier ...
Jan |
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Thanks AJ & Trencher :)
& there was me thinking snowboarding was snowboarding was snowboarding, just goes to show there's always something to learn !! As for my snowboarding experience, I had soft boots and a board where my feet were nearly perpendicular to the way I was travelling. It was a rental board and I have no doubt was a very basic one at that ... It was fun in it's own way though! Jan |
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Right,
Just as soon as it stops dumping great wads of fresh powder and I get back on the piste, I'm gonna go out and nail me one of those babies 8) As a slight aside Trencher, and please don't think I'm trying to be clever but you mention an "alpine" snowboard, is there any other type? Jan |
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Trencher,
Great effort and top marks to you for picking up the gauntlet :) I had a few attempts at this yesterday and whilst I didn't make it I "feel" that with the right slope and speed (although I can't decide what they might be) this is doable :) I suspect the idea of an off camber slope might be important and probably not too much speed (which will help make a tighter turn) ... May the empirical testing continue! I also notice that Mr Pavel hasn't provided the definitive view on this subject ... Maybe he could save us having to go out skiing day after day to find out the truth!! Jan |
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Hi jaycraig,
A very interesting question! Have you every been told NOT to think of Pink Elephants? Well of course you haven't but if you were, the chances are that the very thing you would think of are ... Pink Elephants! Now when I'm teaching people to use a tow lift (T-Bar, Poma or whathaveyou) the most important instruction I give is "Stand-Up!" the temptation as an instructor is to say "Don't sit down" but that brings us back to our elephants ... Many, MANY people who are new to drag lifts seem to think (or at least presume) that the lift will do the work. Well that's true in as much as it will "drag" you up the hill but it will never take control of your route or posture. That remains firmly with the user. As you are happy using Red runs you should be familliar with the concept of a neautral posture ... Upright with ankles, knees and hips gently flexed and with your weight over the centre of your feet. This is exactly the same posture that is needed on a drag lift ... If you lean WAY back and hope the lift will somehow support you, you will very soon find youself on the floor. Equally, if you overweight the front of your skis they will snake about wildly and will probably unseat you ... So, stand up, be neutral, and take control of your skis as if you were skiing down the hill ... Please let us know if this helps! Cheers Jan |
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Has anyone else done this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cTGJ7EoSYo I NEED to get this one under my belt!! 8) Or is it a clever bit of editing? Jan |
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In mine I am halfway through a full twisting front "pole-flip". I was about 14 and this was taken at Southampton Ski Slope in the UK.
It's one of the only remaining photos I have of my skiing carrer after my team manager lost my file of clippings & photos :( - Never lend people things you don't want to lose ... Jan |
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